I hope that you are enjoying my posts from Linda’s Just Jot it January as much as I am enjoying writing them.

Here is today’s prompt word.

Your prompt for January 21st, 2018, brought to you by the wonderful and talented Willow, is “Silence.” Use it any way you’d like in your post. And make sure you visit Willow at her blog, “Willowdot21” to read her post and say hi! Here’s her link:  https://willowdot21.wordpress.com/

I like a bit of silence at times, mainly when I am reading. In fact, if there is a lot of background noise then I can’t really concentrate, and I have to go back to it later when it is quieter. It is a similar story when I am trying to write. I can ‘tune out’ a little bit, but I much prefer a bit of peace and quiet, which is often why I enjoy the early mornings before anyone else gets up.

I often find that if I am in a room with lots of people and there are all sorts of noises going on, then I find it difficult to have a conversation as I can’t hear properly. All of the sounds seem to mingle into one, and I have to keep asking people to repeat themselves which is not great. Either that or I try and interject a few “yesses”  and nodding hoping they are in the right places! I am sure some people must think I am a bit odd or even worse, rude, but it is not intentional.

Having said all that, I hate awkward silences just as much if not more. Quite a few years ago now, I embarked on a bit of online dating, where I met several ‘interesting’ characters to say the least. One of these was a lovely guy who I met up with at an Indian restaurant around 6 pm. He had driven quite a way to meet up and appeared very pleasant when we introduced ourselves.

The restaurant was empty, just us two and a few members of staff who of course, outnumbered us. I know the restaurant wasn’t in the town centre, but I thought it would be busier than it was. I did attempt to make conversation as much as possible as he lapsed into silence, but it was embarrassing as the staff were hovering nearby waiting to cater to our every need. It was apparent we were on a date, I am sure and when the food came, we fell on it gratefully. It was one of the most awkward dates that I ever went on. We were both shy and would try blurting out something random to make conversation, (usually at the same time), then another deafening silence would ensue until one of us plucked up some courage to think of something else to say.

All of this to the amusement, no doubt of the waiting staff. It was odd really as once I get going, I am generally ok, but my mind just went completely blank.  Eating in total silence with just the scraping of cutlery against china and a bit of background music, was almost as bad, but at least neither of us made any horrible squelchy eating noises!

I don’t know what’s worse!

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