Awkward Encounters
Everyone has them. And they all seem to go the same way.
I’m not an awkward person, but when I spot someone down the street walking towards me that I’m not sure about if I should say hi or not, I get a little uncomfortable. It’s always that 5 second period where you are questioning to yourself whether or not to wave, say hi, stop and talk, etc., that gets my mind racing.
The best part is usually one person acts surprised to see the other, even though you knew they were walking towards you and your path’s would eventually cross. Once you lock eye contact, it’s all over.
The pitch of my voice seems to raise a few notches, and then the small talk kicks in. I hate small talk. I usually bring up a question that I most likely already know the answer to, just to get the conversation flowing.
One person usually starts to back up and keep walking like they have someplace else to be and need to cut the conversation short, and follows up by saying, “we should get together some time, you know, get some coffee and catch up or something!” Even though both of you know this will never happen. nor do either of you want it to.
Sometimes there’s a number exchange, just to back up the fact that you’re going to get together, even though you wont. Then both of you turn and go about your day like it never happened thinking, “God, that was so awkward.”