Akward Silence

It happens to the best of us – and can feel like an eternity – awkward silence.

Bernardo Carducci, of the Shyness Research Institute, says don’t panic – you can put that silence to good use. Think of it as an opportunity for transition – but read the silence AND the other person first:

• If you’d BOTH like to keep it going – go ahead and throw something out there. Don’t worry about making the transition smooth – just pick a topic.

• If you think THEY’RE ready to bail – give them an out and excuse yourself – your phone or the restroom can come in handy there.

• If YOU’RE ready to bail – seize the silence and wrap it up with a “Nice talking to you.”