Awkward Situations

Most of these come from a school setting, but could be applied in other places as well.

Awkward moment #1: You're walking through the hallway at school, on your merry way to your next class. On your way, shifting between the masses, you walk along the right side of the wall, watching people pass by you. One person supposedly catches your eye and either 1) smiles or 2) waves enthusiastically. You wave/smile back, only to realize moments later that he/she is waving/smiling to the person behind you. Embarrassing? You bet. You either:
1) Do a quick swipe as if you were going to fix your hair (like any witnesses to your genius is going to fall for it) or
2) Wave/Smile to another random person as though you were the one initiating said wave/smile motion, thereby causing another helpless victim to fall into the trap.
Solution: Grin and bear it, it's happened to everyone, to some of us, several times.

Awkward moment #2: Setting: Family reunion, random store at the local mall, schools, etc. There you are, minding your own business, when someone approaches you. She give you a big smile and waves happily at you (and no, this time it's at you) and rushes up to you. "Hey!" She says enthusiastically, her eyes boring into yours, while you stare blankly into hers. Who is this woman, and why is she talking to you? You evidentially have seen her before, why can't you remember her now? "Heeeyyy." You trail hesitantly, your mind screaming WHO ARE YOU? while you stand helplessly, your body frozen as if you've been shocked.
Solution: As a good friend of mine would do, ask "Who are you?". Plain and simple. It may be insulting, but it will sure save you some embarrassing conversational jargon. On the other hand, you could go along with it, trying to figure out her name along the way, or by asking subtle questions. Ask how her family's doing, maybe a name she mentions will strike a chord. If not, do the old cell phone trick and make a ringtone sound like a call.

Awkward moment #3: You invite some friends over for a movie night. One of your gal/guy pals brings his/her significant other. You know where this is going. Your pleasurable movie experience turns into a horror flick in you very own room while your friend and his friend-with-benefits vacuum each other's faces and are so close it's hard to tell where one ends and the other begins.
Solution: Ask them to stop, or be prepared to be the only one to know the ending to your movie.

Awkward moment #4: You trip over your own feet. It doesn't matter if your in a public place or in the middle of a blizzard in the Antarctic Tundra. Someone WILL see you, and they WILL laugh. Hysterically.
Solution: Laugh too. Why get angry? Especially if your in the freezing Antarctic, then you shouldn't be outside during a blizzard in the first place.