Thursday, May 17, 2007

Hurry! Say Something Funny!

Gah, many posts today. Well, only three. That's alright then.

Cyanide and Happiness, a daily webcomic
Cyanide & Happiness @ Explosm.net


This particular comic strip really sums up what I feel like sometimes. It's sort of like when you're at a social event, or just a bus ride with people you know you ought to make friends with, and you really want to make friends with them, but you just can't think of anything of interest to say. That's happened to me on many occasions, though I'm thinking of one in particular. But even, say, a good friend of yours has a good friend and you all hang out together in a group, but suddenly your mutual friend leaves the room and it's just you and your friend's friend, and all of a sudden, it goes quiet, neither of you saying anything, both fidgeting with your phones or the string at the end of your sleeve that's coming unraveled, thinking you really should cut it off eventually. And in that short span of time, you fail to make an impression. You fail to engage your friend's friend, or the people on the bus who you want to be friends with, or those at the social event, in a conversation that will secure your friendship, or at least make yourself seem at all interesting and fun to be around. Isn't that just the worst feeling?

4 comments:

Scraps said...

Uch. I hate that feeling. It makes me feel so incompetant, so awkward. How hard can it be to just make nice, pleasant conversation, right? Answer: VERY.

Ezzie said...

...which is kind of what was so great about Serach. She's one of those people who always had something to say, so I never did. (also known as Why Opposites Attract)

Sorry, guess that didn't help much. But it's one of those things where you just need to relax and let your mind wander, and don't be afraid to ask or say something. I've found that the more you do it, the easier it gets. Don't 'force' it.

What sometimes helps is remembering when thoughts occur to you earlier in the conversation to say them later if/when there's a lull. 'Remember how you were saying before ____? Well, blah blah blah.'

Scraps said...

The funny thing is, I have something of a reputation amongst my friends for having the ability to make conversation with a brick wall. But I still get stuck in those awkward situations.

Anonymous said...

hi shira. great blog! love abba

Now I have secret, hidden text like on SerandEz!