We laugh at awkward situations as a way to cope with discomfort, anxiety, and stress. Nervous laughter serves as a defense mechanism to downregulate emotions, signaling to ourselves and others that we are not a threat and that everything is okay, even if the situation feels intense or inappropriate [1][2][8]. This involuntary reaction helps relieve tension and can also highlight our struggle to navigate complex social situations, often resulting in laughter when we feel out of our depth [3][7][11].

Why do we laugh at awkward situations?

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Why do we laugh at awkward situations?

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