I generally am not a very awkward person. I can usually say what I mean and if something embarrassing does happen, I laugh it off as good story for later (oh boy, do I have a doozy for you later). There is one time when I just exude awkwardness. Its at any door on campus. (long explanation first, funny story second)
Getting into a building is like an intricate dance for me. Should I speed up because this person is going to hold the door? Should I slow down, let this person get in the door and then hit the button? Ok slow down. Oh shoot. They're holding it open but I already hit the button. "Oh, yeah, uh, thanks! Have a good day!" And then I usually shake my head at just how awkward I was.
I've discovered that it's usually safest to underestimate people's kindness and then be surprised when they are nice. It usually works well for me. But one day, I forgot my door opening manifesto.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the BYU library (I should probably be a little more familiar with it...), there are two sets of double doors at the entrance. When I hit the door opener button (there has to be a more eloquent way of saying that...) both sets of doors open at the same time. That's four doors. It's like the parting of the Red Sea, which is a little excessive for me but it gets the job done.
One day, I was heading up to the library and walking behind an older gent. I'm assuming he was a professor. I was pretty close behind him so I assumed he'd hold the door for me. Wrong. The door closed in my face so I backed up and hit the access button (ah, that's better). Just as I hit the button, the door slamming chap got up to the second set of doors, which opened automatically as he was reaching for the handle.
And the doors smacked him in the face.
I felt bad. I really did. It was most likely an honest mistake on both ends. But like all embarrassing stories, it makes for a good one later.
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