Your prediction engine fails

You feel awkward because you don't know what to expect and can't forecast what will happen. When we're uncertain about what will happen, we revert to inaction, convincing ourselves that not doing anything is less likely to cause bad outcomes.

The tendency to be quiet is made worse by worrying that you'll say the wrong thing. In reality, your new colleagues rarely notice the things you thought would be awkward. It's ok to chat with your new colleagues and ask questions.