Well this is awkward, or is it?

There has been an awkward overuse of the word “awkward” lately. The counter to this overuse is the introduction of the word “uncomfortable” as a synonym. While this is not only incorrect, my fear is because we lack the social skills to use the term “uncomfortable” in its real context, we will overuse it to the point where it has no meaning (i.e. “awkward”).

In certain situations, one may feel genuinely uncomfortable, yet social standard tells us it is awkward to say so. This is what I call the unkward cycle.

Example 1: A quiz is placed before you that you were not expecting. I’m sure this is an uncomfortable situation for you. You know it would be unwise to tell your teacher you are uncomfortable by your lack of knowledge, so instead you and the quiz feel awkward, simply staring each other down without much interaction.

Example 2: You are on a blind date. You feel uncomfortable because your friend has no taste, and set you up with Mexican Frodo. You feel uncomfortable by the situation, and you can’t quite figure out what to do with your hands as to avoid contact with said date. You can’t decide between folding your arms across your chest and leaving them at your sides. Your indecision leaves you with your arms retracted and writs dangling. You look awkward. And like a reptar.

The reverse unkward cycle: probably worse. This here is when the unkward cycle is paused, then flipped on its head. Now instead of feeling uncomfortable and acting awkward, you feel awkward and act uncomfortably.

Example 1: Your ex-boyfriend and his best friend walk into Mandarin House on Christmas day. Your entire family, excluding you, is sitting at the front table. Everyone feels awkward. This leads your mother to fake-invite them to your upcoming New Year’s party. She then retracts the statement when she realizes what she has done by claiming she knows something is on Facebook, but doesn’t know how to work it. She states she should ask your cousin, Lauren, how to use Facebook so she can be sure. Your cousin retracts into her seat and your mom avoids all eye contact. Ex-boyfriends, fake invitations, and fake generation gaps are all uncomfortable.

Example 2: Your dad wants you to go to Hawaii with him alone for his birthday. You aren’t sure if this is awkward or not, but instinct says yes. So, when asked if you will go, you turn to his wife and ask, “Why aren’t you going with him?” Silence. This is now uncomfortable for everyone, including the Chinese delivery guy.

(Note: Mandarin House Chinese food is inherently awkward. My fortune cookie told me “You and your wife will live a long happy life together.” My dad made me trade him for, “You are original and creative.” But what if I wanted a wife?)

Now that you are well acquainted with the unkward cycle, I call on you as citizens of society and social experiment (high school) alike to call out what is uncomfortable when an uncomfortable situation arises. Also, stop calling out when things are awkward. Do your best to remedy the situation, the old-fashioned way. This is the only way to stop the unkward cycle, and the endangerment of two, very important words.