awkward wasn't awkward until awkward was cool

I have a theory that far more awkward moments exist today than five, ten, or twenty years ago when awkward wasn't the cool label.

I have a friend and former co-worker who claims that he and I are on opposite ends of the awkward-sensing spectrum.  I could label just about any awkward situation for you, while he's comfortable enough in most conversations to never even suspect awkward.  When we worked together, I'd have to go tell him, after the fact, that a situation or conversation was awkward.

I tend to label a lot of things, people, and situations.  "Awkward" has become one of my go-to labels and I don't like it.  I mean, who says it has to be awkward?  Sure, there are always be a few truly awkward happenings... but what about that conversation where no one really said much?  What did we call it before it was awkward? Or the person who acts uncomfortable carrying on a normal dialog? Or the time you had to dig yourself out of a hole for saying something you shouldn't have said?  It didn't used to be called awkward, did it? 

Sometimes I wonder if God is saying, "Do not call others awkward, lest you be called awkward!" Not that we really care if we hold an awkward label, but seriously...what does Scripture teach us about labels, judgmental attitudes, and quick classifications?  The Bible says these things are wrong.  I know, I know, I know.  Awkward doesn't just go away.  But it did come at us quick, and it's overtaken our vocabulary without us even realizing it. 

Go ahead and accuse me of Jesus juking or going mid-90's on you, but would Jesus call someone awkward?  Probably not.  For me, it's a heart issue.  Sadly, it's an easy way for me to judge without judging, or to write someone off in a semi-polite fashion.  I feel convicted to make the most of situations, rather than making the least of those moments by throwing a label of awkward on them.

What do you think of awkwardness? How do you go about de-awkward-izing those awkward moments?