I'm Socially Awkward.

Scenario #1 - The Sidewalk Shuffle

You're walking down the street & another pedestrian is fast approaching from the opposite direction. They're in your direct path. When you're about four feet away from one another you step to move out of their way. They take a step in the same direction as they try to avoid you as well. You awkwardly try to avoid collision and take a step in the other direction now. They do too. The steps become slightly quicker as you both try to shuffle out of the other's path and then inevitably exchange an awkward smile or perhaps a "Sorry!" accompanied with a nervous giggle. Can anyone explain this? Why does this happen 96% of the time?

The sidewalk shuffle is an issue that needs to be addressed. Why doesn't everyone have an innate sense to step to the right? If everyone just stepped to the right there would be no problems.

Scenario #2 - Invisibility Cloak

Pick a public venue. Train/restaurant/shopping mall/bathroom... you name it, this can happen anywhere. For all intents and purposes, we'll pick a grocery store.

You're going about your business, rolling your cart (which, more likely than not, has at least one faulty wheel) through the most important aisle of all - cereal. Amid a very difficult decision between Reese's Puffs and Lucky Charms you look up, and to your surprise (and dismay), see someone you know. Do you have any desire whatsoever to converse with them? Nope. Not even a little bit. But do they want to talk to you? Did they already see you? Crap.

So, what do you do? Avoid eye contact. Lack of eye contact is, after all, similar to an invisibility cloak. If you look down you're pretty much not even there. It's like being in a 7th grade class when you don't know the answer to a question. You look around the room... at the clock, your shoes, ANYWHERE that isn't the teacher's eyes. Then maybe, just maybe, the teacher won't call on you.

Trying to avoid answering a question about The Battle of Gettysburg in 7th grade is similar to avoiding the "Oh my gosh! How ARE you!? I haven't seen you in AGES!!" conversation as an adult.

Too bad lack of eye contact is an extremely ineffective invisibility cloak.

For a good time, check out this link: http://www.balloonboygame.com/ ... Balloon Boy is right up there with Sarah Palin for me. No matter how many jokes/emails I get on the topic, I think it's funny each time.

Song of the day: Until You by Dave Barnes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tyz9eOvstiE