Sounds of silence, says science, get awkward at 4 seconds

Let’s all have a moment of silence… …. …for the awkward silences… … that kill good conversations. My dad loves intentionally doing this thing. He uses it as a conversational or public speaking device, though – calling it a “dramatic pause” or “pausing for effect.” And while this can work fantastically in a Toastmaster’s scenario, what makes some pauses okay and others straight up uncomfortable? When I think about getting.. Read More

Mom-Convos: Makenzie and acid

This week in mom-convos with bratty kids, there’s the trending Makenzie with her dirty laundry, iphone shortcut hacking, and predilection for LSD. Seriously. There are so many questions. Like: What size house are these genetically linked stranger-roommates living in that they can’t just ambulate to communicate face to face? Where’s her phone charger? Doesn’t the mom know enough English to attempt some sort of diction circumvention? Why does Makenzie have.. Read More