AWKWARD silence is both parties wanting to speak, but cannot.
It's different from actual, conscious, non confrontational silence. Which is golden, yes.
Actually one thing I realized is that awkward silence participants often wishes they, or the other party, could break the silence.
Another confessions;
having to be personally embarrassing and eyefu-- looking at someone beyond what's socially acceptable to
get them to talk to me. GEEE, passive-aggressive much?
is a member of group A, and wandering over another group just to listen at people who are generally cool, bash that same group.