What are you scared of? Or, slightly related to todays entry, have you got a funny conversation stopper. Something that someone said whilst you were talking that just brought silence on everyone. I've got a really good one, but I can't remember it, dammit! Why does this always happen?!

-- Tim (tim@newmail.net), September 26, 1999

Answers

What annoys me most is when you're talking in a big group of people and suddenly everyone has an awkward silence at the same time. Of course, there's always someone left talking. That someone is usually me. It's really embarrassing especially because you're talking loudly because of all the noise that was around you. Does that make sense? Is it even relevant? Who cares? Bye.

-- krysten (krysten@bellsouth.net), September 26, 1999.

I hate awkward silences as well! I much prefer chatting on ICQ to talking on the phone. When you're talking in person it's not that bad, I think on the phone it's the worst.

Aside from that, I am afraid of many things. Crossing busy roads (especially at streetlights), people hating me, clowns, sounding extremely idiotic... The list goes on, and there are better ones, but I can't think of them.

-- Sarah Joy (bursa@cgocable.net), September 26, 1999.

I hate small talk...you know trying to talk to people about absolutely nothing just to fill time. With me it usually lasts about five minutes then I run out of things to talk about...you know what happens next..the awkward silence. I actually prefer for people to ask me questions, because I'll usually answer anything just to avoid that silence. What's worse is trying to break the awkward silence by trying to say something and all that comes out is "So...."

Commixion @ gbdesigns.com/commixion

-- Greg Barber (gbarber@gbdesigns.com), September 26, 1999.

You're in a group, chatting. You get the floor for a moment. Somehow you find a good story - people seem to be in the palm of your hand - your jokes are hysterical - your insights are unique - but something is wrong... What seemed to be admiration looks more like pity. People are exchanging glances to negotiate a graceful way away from you. You have become a grotesque squawking clown!

Sorry. that's a paraphrase from a bitterly hilarious minicomic by Seth Fineberg. Just seemed apropos.

-- Lucas Gonze (lucas@gonze.com), April 22, 2000.

yes krysten i know that situation too well :( i think that's why i started journalling, because i always had too much to say for myself. now at least when i start rambling with another anecdote people all turn round at me and yell "we KNOW, we read it in your journal".

although that can also be a little disconcerting. especially when once they've all stopped laughing, they still have nothing worthwhile to contribute to the group either.

-- will w. (a_pok_lips@hotmail.com), April 24, 2000.

I usually do not have a problem with communication, but lately I get quiet when I hear a conversation stopper, becoming extreemly shy in conversation.

-- Brenda Lannon (sippysworld@yahoo.com), October 18, 2001.