One way to avoid them is to “assume the burden of the conversation,” One might use self-disclosure to change the topic, and say, ‘Golf isn’t my thing, but I really like to cycle.’ Or, if someone asks about something sad or bad, throw the conversational ball back and say, ‘I just can’t talk about that right now, but what’s going on in your life?’”
Pauses are natural and, if you wait it out, the other person might revive the conversation. You can also circle back to an earlier topic, but if you’ve reached the end, exit the conversation in a polite way.
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Similar ideas to Awkward Silences
At a party or conference where small talk with someone nearby becomes awkward:
Keep the conversation moving at a comfortable but somewhat brisk pace. Don’t cut the conversation short if things are going well, but also avoid hitting uncomfortable lulls. So when the pace starts to die down, it's time to make an exit.
On your way out
Sandstrom says in her experience, she would describe the stages of having a conversation with a stranger as follows:
First, they look at you as if asking, “Do I know you?” Then there’s recognition they don’t know you.
Then it’s, “Wait, are you a weirdo?”
The...
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