Listen.

Listen. 

Keep listening. 

Listen until your ears bleed. 

Listen until the other person falls silent. 

Then keep listening.

But they're not speaking.?

Doesn't matter. Keep listening.

They're talking again.

Listen. 

They've stop talking. 

Keep listening?  

Yes. 

They're still not talking. 

Keep listening. 

Neither of us is talking now. 

It's been quiet for a while. 

Okay it's feeling a bit awkward. 

Listen until your ears bleed. 

Sure - but there hasn't been anything to listen to for at least half a minute now. 

Is it feeling awkward? 

Yes. 

Keep listening.

Okay this extended silence is starting to feel a little creepy. 

You can talk now.