be less awkward

I’m laughing while I’m typing this, but actually it’s not very funny. I went to a nerdy school where ‘awkward’ was the norm, and we even perfected a hand gesture for it. (If you don’t know what I’m talking about, google “awkward turtle” and see how to do it with your hands). These are the ways that I’ve discovered I can get away with not saying ‘hi’ to someone (1) Squint and stare ahead, pretend not to see person, (2) Just as person’s in speaking range, open cellphone or fiddle around cellphone as if you’re about to take call, (3) If you accidentally make eye contact with someone you know (arggghhh! too late!) and you’ve perfected the art of awkward, you can still walk by each other without saying anything. I’m laughing right now because I don’t have problems conversing with people, it’s the “hi” that’s got me stumped. I really hope people who are reading this are not like me – I’ve pissed off many a people with my not-so-smooth moves. Now that I’m about to start work (and with the knowledge that my awkward moves can endanger my work), it’s time to perfect that “cheery” smile and the routine “how do you do?”