Awkward or Just Uncomfortable?

We've all had an experience, particularly as Kiwis, that is awkward. It might be something as simple as deciding who goes next in a line, or having to butt in on a conversation. It might go a little further and involve frenemies or exes in out of context places. Maybe someone's sprung you doing a flash 'n' dash down the hallway? Whatever it was, it was a defined moment, and it was awkward.

Girl In The Middle: Awkwardness Exhibit A

 My question today is: what is the essence of awkwardness? So many varied situations can be awkward. Sometimes a potentially awkward situation is glossed over by a great sense of confidence or troubleshooting at the time. Sometimes you are awkward and others aren't, or vice versa. Is awkwardness derived from your moral values, or personal upbringing, or brought about simply by waking up on the wrong side of (someone else's) bed? Most of the time, it seems increasingly hard to tell.

To bring an awkward (out of context) dictionary definition into the play, awkwardness is defined as three things:

Something or someone causing difficulty in your life; e.g.  an awkward-moving shopping trolley, or bringing a friend that doesn't socialize well to a party

Causing easy embarrassment or inconvenience; e.g.  seeing one of your parents flirt with bar staff at a family restaurant outing

Not smooth or graceful; e.g., tripping whilst trying to look desirable in front of someone you may like to procreate with

The Duck Pout: A regular fixture in awk-sexy pictures

The thing that stands out about these three definitions of awkwardness is that they are really not that varied. Awkwardness is really just being uncomfortable in a situation. Your chances of feeling uncomfortable have strong links to self-esteem and introversion, which explains why people with these traits find reasons for not talking to others. They're not used to socializing, and so socializing is unfamiliar, and thus uncomfortable. Maybe they've had a bad situation they're reminded of which makes the experience uncomfortable. Inexperience creates unfamiliarity which begets awkwardness.  Or, you'll just always find it strange to see your dad trying to get it on with the waitress.

For the things that we can change, namely our side of social interactions, it seems there is only one solution: get yourself out there. Face the embarrassing situations. You may find, after all, that they're not actually that embarrassing (or maybe what's embarrassing is your feeling embarrassed which leaves other people feeling awkward). Make your conversation as available as the dole to a bush stoner. Maybe then conversation will smooth over all that is awkward on that graceless morning after.