It’s funny to be nervous about talking to someone, and then realize that they’re just as nervous when the time finally arrives. The double nervousness makes for some awkward pauses.

I had the chance to witness (as opposed to being involved in) such a thing once on the bus. A guy and a girl, who must have been in their early 20’s and both rather obviously attracted to each other, sat in adjacent seats separated by the aisle. I could just hear the thought processes going on in their heads as pause time seemed to stretch out towards infinity. Every so often, they would turn to each other and say something. Of course, they’d blurt out things at the same time and struggle to see who would get to talk first, resulting in further awkwardness.

I think that the key to recognizing this kind of nervousness is all in listening to what’s not being said.