ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the main goal of this book: developing a sociology of awkwardness. It argues that awkwardness is everywhere and affects everyone, as it arises from social interactions rather than being a personality trait. A sociological approach is needed as understanding awkwardness helps us to better comprehend social interactions and why they sometimes go wrong, which is crucial to understanding how people coexist in increasingly complex societies. Additionally, grasping the factors that make people uncomfortable helps us identify the conditions necessary for more enjoyable and effortless social exchanges. The chapter defines awkward feelings as the outcome of social interactions going wrong, as perceived by at least one of the social actors (in)directly involved. It also explains how this definition will be unpacked throughout the book, covering what awkwardness means, where it comes from, how it manifests in time and space, and how people deal with awkwardness. Furthermore, the authors outline the data and methods that were used to provide the empirical grounding of the research. Lastly, the chapter discusses the importance of studying awkwardness in an academic context.
