Awkward on Purpose: Say the Thing
Ever notice how you can spend two hours at a dinner party, meet X people, have Y perfectly pleasant conversations...
…and somehow leave knowing almost nobody?
Yeah. I'm curious what happens if we do almost the opposite.
12 strangers. 6 hours.
A few unusual social rules.
6 hours ?!
Yes.
Because two hours is usually just enough time to learn everyone's job, hometown, hobbies, and preferred method of escaping awkward silence.
Then the event ends.
I want to see what happens after that part.
Six hours gives the group time to get comfortable, get a little uncomfortable, take breaks, eat something, stop performing quite so much, and eventually reach the part of the interaction that usually never happens between people who just met.
Relax. You probably won't be talking nonstop for six hours.
So what do we actually do?
There will be some structure, but not a script.
We'll experiment with paying more attention to what's happening between us, right now, instead of always escaping into stories and topics.
You might find yourself saying:
“I had a completely different first impression of you.”
“I notice I suddenly don't know what to say.”
“I was going to disagree with you, but then I chickened out.”
“Okay, I'm definitely trying to sound interesting right now.”
Normally those thoughts stay in our heads. Here, we'll see what happens when they don't.
Should I come?
If your reaction while reading this is:
“That sounds kind of uncomfortable… but I’m really curious,”
you’ll fit right in.
You don't need to be extroverted, emotionally articulate, or “good with people.”
Details
Date: 9/20, Sunday, 2026
Time: 12:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Location: Palo Alto, CA — exact location shared with confirmed participants
Cost: $5
Group size: 12 people
Refreshments: Snacks and water will be provided
Please join only if you’re willing to:
✅ participate for the full session (6 hours)
✅ sit with some awkwardness and uncertainty