Sometimes Awkward Things Happen to Nice People and Sometimes Nice People do Awkward Things

When I was in grade school, my friends and I would tell each other about our craziest dreams. I learned later that one of the best dreamers, never really dreamed her dreams at all. She made them all up!!! I thought that was crazy, because I've never had to worry about making up crazy dreams or events, they just happen to me. In college, my roommates and I even created a signal to help out in all our the awkward moments. It was the sign for come and save me from the awkwardness. Lately, I've thought I need to bring that signal back because nice people need other nice people in awkward moments.
Awkward Moment 1
Just the other day I parked in the underground parking downtown, as I hurried into a few places to look at paintings. After finishing in my allotted one hour time, I hurried to the exit and reached into my pocket for the parking ticket. Unfortunately, it was no where to be found. I fumbled through all of my pockets and then sat down on a couch and went through my purse. No ticket! I figured this had to happen to other people, so it was probably not that big of a deal. I then walked out to the garage and found the parking attendant on his little golf cart and explained my predicament. He had me look through all of my pockets and purse again with him watching. "Maybe it's in your car." he offered. And so, we walked over to my car, and that's when I discovered I was missing my car key! I tried to act calm as I fumbled through my purse and mindlessly chattered. Finally, after no success, I smiled at the dear man and broke the news to him. "You know how a minute ago I didn't think there could be anything worse than losing my ticket, well it's all about perspective. You see, now I've lost my car key." He just stared and reiterated, "You mean you lost your car key too?" I smiled and told him I was going back in to retrace my steps. He told me to make sure and look for my ticket while I was at it. Luckily, I found the key right there on the couch, but as expected, no ticket. However, I ran back jubilantly and drove my car down to the gate with the man blazing the trail ahead in his golf cart. Unfortunately, something was wrong with his pass and even though he kept swiping and hitting things, the gate would not let us by. As he was working, my eyes fell upon the words "Lost ticket $20." I moaned and looked up at the old man. He smiled. " Don't worry we don't want you to have to pay $20, so we'll figure this out." (I love nice people.) After several more attempts, he just shrugged and suggested we go over to the other gate. "If you'll give me the $2 for your time, I can get you out of this one." He smiled and then there was an awkward moment of silence because you see I didn't have $2 in cash. And so, I put on a brave smile and calmly explained this to him. He just looked at me, and in that awkward moment, I remembered my change compartment and told him to wait. I then proceeded to count out nickels, dimes and pennies. I believe the old man wanted to throw his hands up and say, "Why me!" but he remained calm and continued to try and get his darn pass to work. After countless attempts, he did throw up his hands and in that awkward moment I smiled and told him I had a dollar twenty one, plus more pennies. He scratched his head and backed away from my hands filled with pennies. "Don't worry about it. Maybe we can just have you go around the gate right here. I think there is just enough room that you might be able to make it." And so, although I am a law abiding citizen, under his guidance, we maneuvered my little car around the gate. I smiled in gratitude and once again held out my bulging hand of pennies and nickels. He quickly backed away and waved his hands. I think that was his signal of "Please, please leave."

Awkward Moment 2
The other week I found myself at a BBQ next to a guy who was sitting a little too close and staring a little too intently. It caused me to chaff my nose and mouth from all of my nervous rubbing at whatever I assumed he was staring at. After some awkward conversation about my eye color, I decided to do us both a favor and leave. I quickly got up to go, but faster than the speed of light, he grabbed my hand in a surprisingly vice like grip. "Please just stay 10 more minutes to talk. Please." Now, I'm sure he was a real nice guy who just hadn't figured out personal space or something, but I felt pretty awkward. So trying to muster all of my calm and casualness, I began chattering about why I had to leave, all the while trying to pull my hand away without making too much of a scene. Unfortunately, this wasn't working very well, and I was pretty much glued to the spot. I wasn't quite sure what to do. I could break out of the hold using my self defense instructor's move, but that might be a little too extreme, and I certainly wasn't going to just sit down and talk for ten more minutes. And so, I just stood there hoping the awkward sweating of my hand would soon allow me to get away more easily. Then out of nowhere a girl popped up and exclaimed, "Oh my goodness it is you!!!! When you first came in I thought it was you, but I wasn't sure. It is so good to see you!" Then she proceeded to give me a hug and pull my arm away from the guy. "We have to catch up. Let's go over here." And so, she pulled me across the yard, and I looked up into the face of. . . . . someone I have never met before in my life. Although, I was relieved, I felt awkward again, because I had no idea who this girl was who thought we were so tight. Thankfully, she just smiled at me and said,"Sorry, I have no idea who you are, but I just saw what was happening and although it was kind of funny to watch, I could tell you felt awkward and needed some help." I let out a sigh of relief and gave her another big hug of appreciation and thanks.
And so, when my friend who continued to say awkward things at a party looked at me and said, "Can I run things by you, before I say them out loud, so you can make sure they're not awkward." I agreed. Because although, he obviously doesn't know I'm not his best pick, everyone needs someone to help them out in an awkward situation, especially nice people.