How to Survive Awkward Moments
- 1). Change the subject immediately, if you can. It doesn't have to be something rational, but rather just something to focus everyone's attention elsewhere. "Look, that duck's on fire" is a good option, especially if there are no ducks around. People will look, then ask you why you thought a duck was on fire, and next thing you know the discussion will have shifted from the awkward moment to the fact that you thought there was a flaming duck nearby.
- 2). Embrace the awkwardness if you can't distract everyone. Awkwardness comes from everyone being aware of something that nobody mentions. If you mention the fact that you just made a mistake, then it will be less awkward as everyone will be able to breathe and talk about what happened.
- 3). Excuse yourself. Pretend to hear someone calling you, pretend your phone is going off, or make up any reason to leave. If you just walk away, you will intensify the awkwardness, but if you walk away with an excuse, people will probably just move on. More importantly, it will no longer be awkward for you.
- 4). Speak up if it's an awkward situation where someone is a victim. For example, if everyone's talking about someone behind her back, and it's making you feel awkward, then you can -- and should -- say that you don't feel comfortable with the conversation and are leaving. Not only does this end the awkward situation, it will also make the people in the conversation think twice about their behavior.