Are awkward silences really that awkward? Kinda makes you think doesn’t it. I guess it all depends on what’s going on in each individuals head. If you’re nervous and afraid of the awkward silence then you will miss out on the opportunity to really connect with the person your interacting with. I would say that it’s sometimes best to shut the hell up and force a period of silence.

This basically is due to the fact that human communication doesn’t only occur at a linguistic level. There’s body language. Body language should be familiar to you. It’s when, without words, you communicate something by portraying it with your body. Good posture, a smile, staring away from someone, frowning, an upside-down smile, all communicate different things.

You’re eyes are especially powerful in this sense. If fact, I dare say that your eyes alone can really talk a whole other language all by their itty bitty selves. Gazing at someones eyes directly communicates whatever it is that you are feeling at the moment. Try it. You will see that this holds true 100% of the time.

Action language is the power to communicate something through your actions. Taking the girl of your dreams on a date clearly communicates your intention to get to know her better. Giving someone a gift tells him/her that you care, or in the case that you screwed up royally, that you’re sorry. Simply writing a note that says “I love you.” or “let’s have fun.”, tells your friend, family member, or significant other something very direct in an indirect fashion.

So the next time you can’t think of something you can say, and you’re confronted with an awkward silence, instead of feeling nervous and, well, awkward, think of something you can do with your body, with your eyes, or something you can act upon.

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