Shhhh !

The first day of class, Sal started the class with "Let's get started" and proceeded to the back of the room and sat for about 3 minutes without talking. Was it awkward? Sort of, yes because as high school students we are all so used to talking all day everyday and when a teacher starts class just sitting there staring it becomes awkward; mostly because students are trained to start class with the teacher explaining what will be going on. When there are "awkward silences" many try to fill that by coughing, clearing their throats and/or making noises. People do this thinking it will break the silence but it just makes it more awkward because conversation doesn't start, it's still silent.
When your with your friends having a good time and all of a sudden it gets really quiet, there's always that one person who will say "Awkwarrrrrd..." which always makes it more awkward because it is only awkward if somebody makes it awkward. For example, say your going out with some new friends you don't know too well...you might feel it's going to be awkward, but if you just be yourself and let yourself have a good time it won't be awkward; but if you just sit there all quiet looking uncomfortable then it most likely will be awkward.
I have a friend who whenever were talking on the phone, etc. and it gets quiet, he always clears his throat until either one of us finds something to say. To me that just makes it more awkward because even though we stopped talking and it was quiet before, that was less awkward because neither one of us had anything to say. And once he starts clearing his throat it puts pressure on me to find something say but then what I say might be completely irrelevant and confusing and then it gets awkward all over again.