
Do you ask yourself, “Am I socially awkward?” If yes, take this sociability quiz to find an accurate answer. Are you awkward or just introverted?
Signs You Are Socially Awkward
Social awkwardness is a lack of social skills caused by PTSD or childhood trauma. Generally, if you have an extreme fear of failure in social situations, feel uncomfortable in social interactions, and experience talk blocks during small talk, you are socially awkward. But that doesn’t mean you have social or generalized anxiety.
Social Awkwardness Vs. Introversion
The difference between social awkwardness and introversion is in cause and preference. While introversion is often a temperament, awkwardness is a side effect of post-traumatic stress disorder. Introverts intentionally choose loneliness or isolation because that’s how they recharge. But socially awkward individuals don’t like being lonely; they’d rather have an active social life.
Social Awkwardness | Introversion |
Can’t have small talk | Doesn’t want to have small talk |
Feels nervous in social interactions | Doesn’t like social interactions |
Can’t have proper eye contact | Doesn’t want to have eye contact |
Doesn’t want to feel lonely | Enjoys being lonely |
May experience talk blocks | Doesn’t participate in small talk |
How to Know if You’re Socially Awkward
One easy way to see if you’re awkward is by taking the social awkwardness quiz on this page. But if that’s not your thing, try looking for the following patterns in your behavior. If three or more of these signs are recognizable in your social life, you’re likely a socially awkward individual.
You Experience “Talk Blocks” Mid-conversation
One of the primary signs of awkwardness is feeling stuck in the middle of a conversation. It’s like your brain stops working, and you can’t find the right words to express your ideas. If that happens a lot, you might be socially awkward.
You’re Uncomfortable in Social Situations
Feeling overly anxious and experiencing physical symptoms like shortness of breath in social interactions is another sign of awkwardness. If interacting with others makes you feel sick, you might be socially awkward.
You Don’t Like Loneliness
Unlike an introverted person, a socially awkward individual doesn’t enjoy isolation. If you usually envy sociable people and want to be more like them, you might be dealing with social awkwardness.
You Have Twitches When Trying to Socialize
Twitches are minor spasms that occur unintentionally. If you have too many twitches in social situations and you feel too self-conscious about your body language, there’s a chance that you’re socially awkward.
You Can’t Initiate a Conversation and Are Bad at Small Talk
Often, socially awkward people overthink the first impression they leave on others. And that stops them from engaging in small talk and initiating a conversation. If you can relate to that, you might be awkward.
What Makes Someone Socially Awkward
Social awkwardness is usually a result of Adverse Childhood Experiences or traumas. But any traumatic event—regardless of the traumatized person’s age—can lead to socialization problems. That’s why some adults with average social skills become socially awkward after a particularly upsetting experience.
Ready to See If You’re Socially Awkward?
The following questions analyze your social skills and levels of anxiety in everyday interactions to determine if you’re socially awkward. Answer 20 basic questions about your emotions and intentions to see how sociable or unsociable you are—and discover why you are that way.
Please note that being socially awkward doesn’t mean that you are weird or there’s something wrong with you. It just indicates that you may need to brush up on your social skills and practice engaging in more social activities.
How to Play?
Playing personality quizzes is straightforward: Choose the option that’s true about you—or you relate to—and select “Next.” Unlike trivia quizzes, personality tests have no right or wrong answers. But the questions are in forced-choice format. The point is to push you to choose an option that makes the most sense, not the one that’s 100% true. For the most accurate results, don’t overthink your responses. Go with options that you “feel” are the best.
How many questions does this quiz have?
20 questions
How long does it take to complete this quiz?
7 minutes
Questions of the quiz
- Question 1
How often do you feel lonely?
Rarely
Occasionally
All the time
Always, but I love feeling lonely
- Question 2
How do you feel when an unknown number calls you?
Fine (it happens often)
Suspicious
Nervous
Irritated
- Question 3
Which one better describes your sense of humor?
I can make most people laugh
I can share a laugh
No one gets my sense of humor
I’m not a fan of humor
- Question 4
How do you feel about small talk?
I love them
It depends
I like them, but I can’t have them
I hate them
- Question 5
What about eye contact? How do you feel about that?
I love eye contacts
It depends on the person/conversation
I wish I could have better eye contact with others
I don’t like eye contacts
- Question 6
Are you quick to respond when a stranger asks you a question?
Yes, I believe I am
It depends on the question or the person asking it
No, I feel like my brain stops working
Meh, it depends on my mood
- Question 7
Are you okay with initiating a conversation with a stranger?
Yes, I love doing that
Sometimes
No, I can never do that
Yes, but I don’t want to do that
- Question 8
Do you experience twitches or spasms when you’re in a social situation?
No, not at all
I’ve had that happen to me before
Yes, all the time
It depends. I might have them
- Question 9
Do you experience “talk blocks” when talking to others?
No, I can always come up with new topics to talk about
It has happened to me before, but I’d say it’s rare
Yes, It happens all the time, and I’m sick of it
It depends on the situation
- Question 10
Do you find it difficult to keep a conversation going?
No, I can talk to anyone
Sometimes, yes
Yes, all the time
Yes, but I’m okay with ending unnecessary convos
- Question 11
How do you feel when you’re in crowded places?
Excited
Fine
Anxious
Tired
- Question 12
Which one could stop you from talking to someone?
Feeling that they’re not into talking to me
Seeing red flags
Anything. I can’t get myself to do that with anyone
I already don’t want to talk to anyone
- Question 13
Do you feel like your body language changes in social situations?
Yes, I’m more intentional with it
Not really
Yes, I don’t know what to do with my hands
Yes, I use my body language to keep people away
- Question 14
What’s your biggest fear when trying to socialize?
I don’t think I have one
I sometimes feel like I might overshare or bother others
I’m afraid of failing and being humiliated
I fear letting too many people in my life
- Question 15
Are you energized by spending time with others?
Yes, that’s my main energy source
Not really; it depends.
I wish I could be like that
No, it drains my energy
- Question 16
How do you feel after a family gathering or social event?
Sad (because I miss those moments)
Tired (because I also need my own private space)
Nervous (because I overthink the whole thing)
Happy (because it’s finally over, and I can go to my room)
- Question 17
What would it be if you could change one thing about your social life?
I’d want to have more friends
I’d like to have more control over my social life
I’d like to have a social life because I’m currently isolated
I’d remove most social interactions from my life
- Question 18
How do you feel about being invited to a party?
Excited
It depends
Nervous
Irritated (I don’t like parties)
- Question 19
Do you unintentionally interrupt people when talking about things you’re passionate about?
No, I’m a good listener
Maybe, but it rarely happens
Yes, I think I do that a lot
No, I’m never too engaged in a conversation
- Question 20
Final question: would you say you’re good at public speeches?
Yes, I believe I am
Not really
No, but I wish I were a good public speaker
Meh, I’m not sure. But I hate giving speeches anyways