The 5 Most Awkward Situations We All Go Through (And How to Survive Them)

Well, here are some tested and trusted tips I have gathered with my sweat and many, many tears on how to gracefully uncringe your moments.

1. Forgetting Someone’s Name

Yeah, this is definitely number one, and I can bet my left eyelid that this bane of existence has touched everyone on this beautiful earth. Hear me out, though. I usually don’t blank out on names, like never. But when my mind does this thing where it wanders to Neverland, I can sometimes forget that people have names. However, Fret not! For I have the solution.

Protip: Just Smile and Wave, guys. Smile and Wave. This is especially useful when you have distance between yourselves, but in close encounters, just wing it. Either own it or give the person a nickname. Trust me, it works (I think?).

2. Tripping in Public

This one right here sits very comfortably at number 2 because why the hell am I tripping on air???? Just going on my merry way to only nearly trip and see my life flash before my eyes (I definitely should have had that last piece of chocolate), but I digress. Unless you are face down ass up, you can probably salvage the situation by striking a pose. You could even whip out your phone and act like an avant-garde influencer trying something new. Who would know?

3. Replying “You Too” at the Wrong Moment

Enjoy your meal! You too! Cue the internal screaming because you just realized you said that to your server. Like Ma’am/Sir, where do you see a plate in their hands? We can all agree that it would be pretty hard to come back from this, but you could try adding some extra razzle dazzle by complimenting their smile. Diversion is your best friend, guys. Master it!

4. Uncomfortable Silence

Ever sit in a room full of people, and it feels like you’re attending a ghost funeral? Or even worse, you’re in a group, and someone asks a question. Crickets. I have had my fair share of this, especially in class. It’s even worse when no one knows the answer to the question, and we all plead with our eyes for someone to take one for the team. Yeah, I’m usually the sacrificial lamb, but hey, experience is experience. Protip: Just ramble. Sometimes, I don’t know if my words make sense, but I keep talking. The key is to ramble with confidence, but don’t worry; no one would know (yeah, they would).