The Awkwardness of Silence

I think simply saying that people are uncomfortable with silence isn't justfiable. In situations where you aren't completely comfortable with the person you are with and there is silence, I think it is likely that someone is going to talk to break that silence. On the first day of this class when we experimented with awkward silence, I couldn't stop laughing. In our culture it is very unusual to be in a situation with people you don't really know and not talk. Someone always breaks the silence. Because of the first day of class, I started to watch myself when I was in situations where there was an awkward silence. I noticed that the second it got quiet, my mind started racing thinking of a new topic to talk about. I started tapping my foot or playing with my pen; doing anything that would maybe make a little noise.
I think people talk too much to fill the air. People don't like silence. As I was saying before, the second a conversation goes quiet, I begin making noise with something. Simply filling the air is better than sitting in silence with someone you aren't completely comfortable with. If you are comfortable with someone, like your best friends or your family, then silence is ok. When you are comfortable with somoene the silence doesn't matter because it's just nice being with that person.
People should be more comfortable with silence. I can honestly say that I wish I was more comfortable. I think the reason I like being by myself a lot is because you don't have to worry about making conversation. If silence didn't feel so awkward then it would make a lot of situations easier and less stressful to handle.