The Importance of Being Awkward

Abstract This chapter concludes the book with a normative appraisal of awkwardness as well as some practical suggestions for coping with it. On a social level, the chapter suggests, people might reconceptualize what it means to experience awkwardness, and how they might view it as an invitation to write or revise social scripts. The idea of awkwardness as an opportunity for “social improvisation” is discussed. The chapter argues that on an individual level, people should consider their own social position—their “social capital”—as a factor when deciding how to cope with a potentially awkward situation. Sometimes, awkwardness is inevitable, and voluntarily confronting it can make things less awkward for others. The chapter concludes by discussing whether and why awkwardness is sometimes preferable to the alternatives.