I hate awkward silences. Oh i’m just repeating the title. But aren’t awkward silences like really awkward? No shit. For example - You’re standing on a MRT with your friends, two of which aren’t really friends because you’ve technically just met them, thus you’re acquaintances. Wait, there are only 3 people including yourself, so - Ok so you’re standing on a MRT with 2 acquaintances you’ve just met, and for god knows what reason nowadays the ice breaker is ALWAYS, “Sooo, what school were you previously from?” Always. And the person will go like “XYZ School.” You immediately give off an involuntary “Ohhhhhh..” But really your mind is racing through your mental ‘friend list’, hoping you’d find a mutual friend from that school. Damn. None. Fun facts you’ve heard about that school? Damn. None. That school really sucks. 2 seconds, 4 seconds, 5 seconds. Too late. You’ve just entered a conversation limbo. You smile. They smile. The man behind you gave up his seat to an old lady. You learn from an ad that goldfishes have only 3 seconds of memory. Wow the pole seems awfully shiny today. You realise you’re actually looking for something interesting around you to talk about. You take out your phone. No messages. Nevermind, act like there is. Will he notice i’m pressing only the A S D J K L area? Shit my screen dimmed down ‘cause I wasn’t actually typing. Go to tumblr. Type a post about awkward silences and post it later. “Tampines.” What? “Tampines.” Hah! Thank them for the silence and leave the train. Done.