Comment by shbrill on Discussion: Socially Awkward Penguin as a tool for unraveling social enigmas · 2011-06-22T12:21:39.868Z · LW · GW

A technique: I defuse awkwardness by smiling and (humorously) describing the situation. In other words, I recognize when an uncomfortable silence is about to happen, and break it immediately by talking. Using the examples from the SAP video:

• No one laughs at my joke: Say "Er, that was funny in my head, but I guess you had to be there"
• Someone mentions that I'm online 24/7: Say "I leave the computer on while I'm out or asleep"
• Holding the door for a person too far away: Say "I regret this. You'll have to run"
• I wave back at person not actually waving at me: I guess saying "Ha!" is sufficient to get an understanding. Maybe wave at both people.
• I trip over my feet: Say "Damn feet are in my way"
• I have just made a huge noise in a public restroom: Say "Ahhh"
• I don't understand what someone is saying, even after the third time: Interrupt and say "I still have no clue what you're saying. Is it important?"