Big pause in the conversation?

Question

What do you do???

Answer 1

I had a friend who always said, "So...did you know that every 10 minutes there's a lull in the conversation?" or something like that. Just acknowledge that it's kind of funny and move on. We're all human! :)

Answer 2

Didn't Uma Thurman answer this in 'Pulp Fiction'?

You can use 'what are you thinking?' ONCE per date... more than that and it's interrogation.

But being dignified and comfortable with silence is cooler than crapping on to fill the gaps with noise. If you do say something to break the silence, think carefully because a poorly-chosen segue is worse.

Excellent touchstones from popular culture (assuming your date has a bit of a brain- or to test if this is so) include:

"So, what about that local sports team?" [Monty Burns]

"Do you... like... stuff" [Ralph Wiggum]

Also quite funny I think is to take a popular cliche or song lyric, preferably very silly, and say it so as to draw your companion into thinking it's a genuine question of statement. For example: "I know what you're thinking. Did she fire six shots, or only five..." [Dirty Harry], or "I have a pet woodchuck. I've been trying to estimate what sort of volume of lumber it could throw... do you think it could even carry out such a task? It's a question for the ages...". A variation on this is to make a huge build up and then ask a stupid question: "Can I ask you something? It's a bit personal... I really don't want to offend you. Yeah, I know you're SAYING I can ask you and not to worry, but really once you hear it you might get offended, are you REALLY sure? Yes? Okay.... ... remember you said you wouldn't get offended... okay... well, I need to know if you agree with me... that Ronald McDonald isn't really Ronald McDonald..but just other people dressed up as Ronald McDonald... I think it's a big con...' Don't forget to look around suspiciously. You can take this on a big segue... 'Mayor McCheese is behind it... he's corrupt and working with Hamburglar'.

Most people won't mind if you throw in what's very obviously an 'opener' in this situation, like 'what are you doing on the weekend?', or else you can go for something a little more 'interesting'.

Answer 3

The need to fill silence is supplicative. Nobody likes the unsure. If you have nothing to say, Don't say anything. If you're done speaking with an individual and feel your time is being wasted, depart. Otherwise, Free yourself from the need for the good opinion of others. Seek only the good opinion of yourself in your own mind. When you move with confidence, the charisma inspires. People will believe it because you do wholeheartedly. You can create your own reality in this sense by being the leader of your life experience and not a follower of someone else's suggestion of how your experience should be. When you're free in this way, the need to be overly polite and unsure are out of the window. You'll now be able to think clearly and not feel the fear that comes with speaking with a person. You'll be able to be direct and sure. Thoughts will flow naturally, and you'll know when your done speaking you'll depart immediately when you feel the need to without feeling like you're wasting time being rude. It'll be a very helpful change for what you do from now on.

Answer 4

Were you on the phone? Was it a dropped call, dropped call etiquette is wait 3 second then say hello 5 times...if there is no answer hang up and try again!

Answer 5

fart....it's sure to end the silence....jsut kidding.... you can do a nervousl laugh or tell a quick little joke relationg tho the think you were talkin about before the silence

Answer 6

I usually sit quietly; companionable silence is an art :-)

Answer 7

Make eye contact with someone and just stare.....

Answer 8

I always feel the need to say something....

Answer 9

When it happens all of a sudden.... dont fart.

Answer 10

Whip up a question like............"can you juggle?" or "can you roll your tongue?"