Silence Hurts

Americans are afraid of silence.

Sure they are not alone, other people who also have limited social skills may get hurt by it.

It must be very painful, for they try to avoid it so bad, they say whatever comes to mind (usually predictable), in order to fill up evil blanks. You're there, just thinking. Nothing much, maybe your account balance or that person you have in mind...

It's been a long, fearful ten seconds, silence is then broken by the peace enemy:

"- sooooooooo, that restaurant you went, you said it was good, huh?"

(not again.. you were thinking so nicely)

- oh, which one?

"- that chinese"

(bastard, shut the fuck up)

- what? hmmm, no, I don't like chinese food...

"- the one at the mall, you said you had food with coconuts"

(food with coconuts? ohh, he's american...)

- ... you mean the Thai Restaurant?

"- Oh, is that what you call it?"

(sadness)

- Yes, that's Thai.. from Thailand, you know? It was really good...

"- Oh, that's nice!"

(only 20 bucks left on my checking account... I should buy headphones)

One fun thing to do is silence-torturing people like that. Sit by their side, be mute and watch.

They will shutter things, talk about weather, hobbies, news and certainly start lots of questions with "soooo..."

If you want it to hurt deeper, at some point just don't answer. Look at the bastard with a pitiful smile. Beware that can be misunderstood, people who lack social skills tend to lack a life as well and they might take it as "flirting" - hehe that could be gross. Pray that he/she will understand how pathetic that conversation is and shut up.

Then, buy a ticket to somewhere else in the world.

Try poor countries where people are fucked up in other areas, but still interesting to be around and silent.