10 phrases socially awkward people use in everyday conversation

Most socially awkward people don’t mean to make others uncomfortable.

They’re not trying to be rude. Or weird. Or off-putting.

In fact, a lot of them are just overthinking everything—or not reading the room quite right.

But here’s the thing: certain phrases tend to give it away. Not because of what is being said, but how and when it’s dropped into the conversation.

These phrases often interrupt flow, signal discomfort, or shift the vibe in subtle ways.

I’ve heard them from acquaintances, strangers, and even caught myself saying one or two when I was feeling off.

Let’s break them down.

1. “I’m not good at talking to people.”

Look, honesty is great. But leading with this immediately puts the conversation on shaky ground.

When someone says this right after you meet them—or even worse, mid-conversation—it doesn’t invite connection. It puts pressure on the other person to reassure them.

It’s a self-conscious disclaimer that turns into a weird kind of emotional homework for whoever’s listening.

If you’re nervous? Totally fine. But it’s usually better to just show up than to narrate your discomfort in real time.

2. “This is awkward.”

There’s nothing more awkward than someone announcing the awkwardness.

It makes everyone freeze. Suddenly the moment that might have passed unnoticed becomes something we all have to acknowledge and tiptoe around.

Socially awkward people often say this because they feel the tension and don’t know how else to name it. But calling it out usually makes things worse.

One of the best social skills you can learn is how to move through tension, not spotlight it.

3. “I probably sound stupid, but…”

This one’s a vibe killer.

It seems humble, but it actually puts everyone in a weird spot—now they either have to reassure you or agree with you.

People with social anxiety often over-apologize or self-deprecate as a way of cushioning rejection.

The intent is self-protection. But the effect is discomfort. Confident people say what they mean and let it land.

4. “Did that make sense?”

I’ve used this one myself. Especially when I’m rambling or explaining something I’m unsure about.

But here’s the thing: if you keep asking it over and over, it signals insecurity more than clarity.

Socially awkward people tend to fear they’re being misunderstood—even when they’re totally clear. So they double-check. Then triple-check. Then check again.

It can be helpful once, but repeated too often? It just makes the other person second-guess whether they followed or not.

5. “I was just kidding… unless you agree.”

This one’s a defense mechanism dressed up as a joke.

It usually follows a half-serious opinion or risky comment, then walks it back depending on how people react.

It’s a form of social hedging—testing the waters but not standing by what you said.

Socially confident people own their ideas. Socially awkward people often fear judgment, so they coat everything in “just kidding” energy, even when they’re not really joking.

6. “I don’t really have any friends.”

Said jokingly or not, this phrase instantly shifts the vibe.

It may be an attempt at transparency or vulnerability. But most people don’t know how to respond. Do they pity you? Ask why? Pretend they didn’t hear it?

It’s not that you can’t be open about loneliness—just… maybe not in the first 10 minutes of chatting with someone.

It tends to come off heavy and unexpected, especially in casual settings.

A few months back, I went to a friend's birthday dinner where I only knew one other person.

I ended up next to a guy named Chris. We were maybe five minutes into small talk when he dropped, “Yeah, I don’t really have any friends, honestly. That’s why I came to this.”

I didn’t know what to say.

I felt bad, sure—but also weirdly pressured to make him feel included. The conversation shifted from light and curious to something that felt like emotional caretaking.

We did keep talking—and he turned out to be a decent guy—but that phrase stuck. Not because it was dark, but because it dropped too early, too fast.

Sometimes it’s not what you share—it’s when you share it that changes everything.

7. “I know I talk too much.”

This one usually follows a long monologue.

But instead of course-correcting the flow of conversation, it keeps the spotlight on the speaker.

It also makes others feel like they can’t be honest about the fact that—yeah, maybe they did talk too much.

I once had a guy say this mid-convo, then kept going for another 10 minutes. It didn’t feel self-aware. It felt like he was performing self-awareness without changing anything.

8. “I hate small talk.”

Socially awkward people often say this like a badge of honor.

And sure, small talk can be annoying. But here’s the irony: most of the world relies on it to build comfort before diving into deeper topics.

Announcing that you hate small talk tends to alienate people who are just trying to warm up.

The best conversationalists aren’t above small talk. They use it to build trust—and then take things deeper from there.

9. “I’m really awkward, just so you know.”

This one’s similar to #1, but it goes a step further. It’s like handing someone a disclaimer before the conversation even starts.

The problem is, it sets the tone for everything that follows.

Now the other person is expecting awkwardness… and probably looking for it.

A better approach? Let your actions speak. Be kind. Be curious. Be real. If you’re awkward, it’ll show—but there’s no need to advertise it.

10. “I wish I knew what to say right now.”

This might sound harmless, but in social settings, silence is often better than pointing out your inability to fill it.

Socially awkward people often feel the need to fill every gap, even when nothing needs to be said.

I had a coworker who’d blurt this out in meetings whenever things went quiet for even two seconds. It didn’t make him seem more human—it just made things more tense.

Comfort with pauses is a strong social skill. You don’t always have to perform.

The bottom line

Social awkwardness isn’t a flaw—it’s often just a few unhelpful habits layered over genuine intention.

Most people who say these phrases aren’t trying to make things weird. They’re just navigating conversation from a place of nervousness or overthinking.

The good news? These are habits, not hardwired traits.

And awareness is the first step toward change.

What’s one phrase you’ve caught yourself saying—and are ready to let go of?