Why do we feel it's necessary to talk about bullshit in order to feel comfortable?

"That's when you know you've found somebody really special. When you can just shut the fuck up for a minute and comfortably share a silence."

~ Mia Wallace, Pulp Fiction

Comfortable silence. Uncomfortable silence. We've all had them, right?

The other day at work while I was talking to a coworker, he leaned over and reached to move one errant strand of hair away from my eyes. It was sorta a boyfriend-y thing to do. Intimate kinda. Didn't bother me but the silence that followed on his end was weird. Like maybe he hadn't realized he was going to do that. Maybe he feels closer to me since I cried in front of him a couple of months ago when I just found out my dad was sick...I dunno. I just don't know.

Another colleague of mine is leaving this summer. It's a total bummer. I respect and admire his work so much and I think the feeling is mutual. He's so helpful to me and commends the work I do. Which means a helluva lot to me because he is really fucking good at what he does. I think I made him slightly uncomfortable though. I said I was going to miss him, meant it too.

And then he blushed.

And then a beat of silence.

Maybe a bit uncomfortable. Or not. I couldn't get a good read on what kind of silence it was. I dunno.

My husband and I can spend hours on end talking and laughing with each other. And we can also spend hours together in blissful silence too. One of the things I love about our relationship.

Anyway...

Happy hump day. Enjoy the silence today -- comfortable or not. ;)

(Pic taken back in summer of 2013. Slightly different edit here than what's on my Flickr.)

[Simply Amanda]

Great words. I like it when you can talk or not talk with someone and it is all good. I had an experience at the gym yesterday where a guy I kinda know kicked me playfully while I was at the water fountain. A boyfriendy flirty thing. I liked it and it was weird all at once.

[Snap Happy]

Oh you mean like when you're at a bar for your cousin's event and a stranger feels your abs? Yeah the realization that a line may have been crossed and you think wait, did that really just happen and the silence/internal feelings that ensue is pretty....funny? Lol. I love this pic and I think I know where you are. I believe I was sitting next to you. Great effects on it. Makes me wanna eat drink and be merry.

[Snap Happy]

Oh and I think I may have spilled something on your Marc Jacobs? Yes?

[Tom]

Very cool picture, and great commentary on silence both golden, and awkward as if we are all packed in that elevator going up going down!
Sometimes it is just downright fun to break the silence!

[Ms. T]

@snaphappy1 Or awkward like when one of your friend's boyfriends licks your face upon greeting? Haha. lol who da fuck felt your abs? Also you're good for remembering where this was!!! And yes you did spill something on my Marc Jacobs. Twas all good tho.

[Ms. T]

@tosee silence is an interesting beast. I sometimes like to play with it. :) glad you liked the pic and commentary!

@amandal just kick 'em back in the balls to make it super awkward next time. It's what I do. Works like a charm. And usually men don't mind when I'm near their balls. LOLOL.

[Lee Shirley]

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................! :)

[Ms. T]

@04haze ...

:)

[Simply Amanda]

@fauxtography365 Ha!! Ok, go for the balls next time. Got it.

[Danny G.]

I know! Why is that with the silence thing? My ex and I could be silent with each other but sometimes it feels very uncomfortable with some of the girls I date. Hmmm. Anyway, great shot.

[Ms. T]

@amandal never neglect the berries....

@soboy5 did you watch Seinfeld by any chance? The episode about his girl friend/awkward pauses/sexual tension... Funny stuff.

[Danny G.]

@fauxtography365 Yes - and I love Seinfeld. Have you watched Curb Your Enthusiasm? Hilarious. My last girlfriend told me I was a nicer, better looking, equally as funny and much poorer version of Larry David :)

[Ms. T]

@soboy5 love curb your enthusiasm. Hilarious!

[kelly turner]

the hardest thing we have to learn to do in life is to be comfortable with silence....well said :)

[Charles]

So true.

[Tony]

Another journey into the darker recesses of human behaviour. Refering to your title a know a number of people who just can't stop talking, I avoid them. A shared silence is much appreciated.