Awkward Situations for Men

by Danny Wallace

How do you walk behind a woman you don’t know at night?
What do you do if you’ve said goodbye, but then both walk off in the same direction?
Or if you’re caught cheating on your hairdresser?
Or when you spot someone purposely not taking your call?

Well, if you’re Danny Wallace, you feel all awkward.
Taken from his multi-award-nominated ShortList column, this is a book that tracks a year in a life of one man’s awkwardness…

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Comedy, Biography, Memoir, Short Stories, Autobiography

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Daniel Frederick Wallace is a British filmmaker, comedian, writer, actor, and presenter of radio and television. His notable works include the books Join Me, Yes Man, and the TV series How to Start Your Own Country. As an author, Wallace's bestselling books have been translated into more than a dozen languages.

He began writing reviews for video game magazines at the age of 13 for school work experience: a reviewer had become ill and so Wallace was given the opportunity to review a game. At 18 he started writing comedy, mainly through the magazine Comedy Review. He specialised in radio production at the University of Westminster.

At 22, he became a BBC producer. He was part of the production team behind British Comedy Award-winning Dead Ringers, the original producer of the critically acclaimed cult hit The Mighty Boosh, and the creator and producer of Ross Noble Goes Global. As a journalist, Wallace has worked for The Scotsman, The Guardian, The Independent, Elle, Cosmo, The Times and other publications.

In 1999, Wallace challenged comedian Dave Gorman, who at the time was his flatmate, to find 54 other people called Dave Gorman ("one for every card in the deck, including the Jokers"). Wallace accompanied Gorman on his quest and the men created Are You Dave Gorman?, an award-winning comedy stage show about what happened during their journey. A BBC series, also co-written and co-produced by Wallace, followed, as did a book, written by both men.

In 2003, Wallace's book Join Me was published. The book explains how he "accidentally started a 'cult'" called Join Me. The movement would go global, with each member committing to undertaking one random act of kindness for a stranger every Friday ("Good Fridays"). Tens of thousands joined. Join Me celebrates "Karmageddon 10" in December 2011. Traditionally, hundreds of members travel to London for the meet-up and undertake good deeds for strangers, with Wallace present. The movement is now generally referred to as the "Karma Army", although members are still typically "Joinees". He became a minor celebrity in Belgium whilst on his quest for Joinees. While on a book tour through America, Wallace was dubbed a "Generation X legend" by the Wisconsin State Journal.

Wallace next wrote a short book called Random Acts of Kindness: 365 Ways To Make the World A Better Place, with the help of submissions from Joinees. It includes many humorous Random Acts of Kindness (RAoK) ideas, such as "Contradict Demeaning Graffiti", and "Make An Old Man Very Happy."

Wallace's second solo book, Yes Man was published in July 2005. In it, he describes how he spent six months "saying Yes where once I would have said No", to make his life more interesting and positive. In this book he shows the tribulations and mischief that he got up to while he said yes to any question or proposal. The book was described as "one of those rare books that actually has the potential to change your life" by the San Francisco Bay Guardian and as "a fascinating book and a fascinating experiment" by David Letterman. A film adaptation of Yes Man was developed with Warner Bros. and stars Jim Carrey and Zooey Deschanel. It was released in 2008 in the US and the UK. Wallace appeared on screen in a cameo in a bar scene in the last ten minutes of the film, holding a British pint glass.

Danny Wallace and the Centre of the Universe was published in 2006. It is linked with World Book Day which in 2006 was on Thursday 2 March. It tells the story of Wallace's trip to Idaho, to visit a manhole cover in a small town, whose residents have proclaimed it the centre of the universe. The cover identifies it as a "Quick Read"; the price and length of the book have been curbed in order to encourage people who may not often read books to purchase it.

Wallace's book, Friends Like These, was released on the 3 July 2008, and tells the story of how he spent a summer trying to track down his old school friends from his days in Dundee,

Reviews

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is weird. I wasn't going to review this book, I was just going to give it a 4 star rating and leave it at that....but when I came to do it, I saw I had already relegated it to my "Did Not Finish" shelf, and in my private notes I had written "Found the book boring, and the humour rather laboured."

Good grief - so I tried to read this book before, and found it a damp squib! Well, my second reading was different. The book consists of a lot of short chapters, each one describing anecdotes taken from Wallace's life. Whilst some of the chapters/stories didn't raise a laugh, about half of them had me rolling around in bed crying & snorting with laughter and on the verge of asphyxia. When Wallace is funny, I find him very, very funny. A lot of his best stories involve social anxiety, and the ridiculous things we do when stressed by other people. It probably appeals to those of us who border on being socially inadequate. Whatever.... I found it the perfect bedtime read, full of warmth and laughter.

[Laura Q. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I may not be a man but I thoroughly enjoy Wallace's take on modern life and found this collection of short essays very easy to devour. Funny and intelligent, yet also daft, Wallace leads the reader through his internal struggle with trying to be a good man. He would almost certainly infuriate me in real life but in print he is a great scatty friend you'd love to share an evening with.

[Samuel Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I wrote down every time I did something a bit awkward I would probably have a very full and depressing diary that I would not allow anyone to see. Thankfully, Danny Wallace in not me; although he appears to drop social faux pas as often as I do, he has decided to air the lot in public. ‘Awkward Situations for Men’ is a collection of Danny’s Short List articles combines into one easy to read book. Each story is approximately 3 pages long so this is more of a pickup and read for a bit book, than a sit down in one go. However, if like me you read it from cover to cover, there is some semblance of a through line as we follow Danny through a year that grows more important as it progresses.

I have always loved Danny Wallace’s writing since ‘I’m Dave Gorman’ and he has continued to produce some great non-fiction and more recently fiction. I certainly had misgivings about ‘Awkward’ as reading it feels a bit like sitting next to a friend with ADD in the pub. You would have one story on a topic, only for it to switch to something else. However, once you get into the rhythm of Wallace’s storytelling you get a sense that there is no narrative as such, but it does tell the story of one modern man in London.

It is the personage of Danny himself that makes the book so likable. He has a very polite way of moving through life that includes being as kind as he can and not making others feel uncomfortable. You would think that this would lead to an easy life, but can actually prove troublesome as you can come across as too polite for comfort. The stories of trying not to look intimidating when walking home or being mistaken for a deaf person in a chip shop are small glimpses what it is like to be a modern British man. It certainly helps that the author and I are similar ages and viewpoints, but this should not stop others from reading what is a very amusing and heartfelt collection of tales.

[Baba · Rating 2 out of 5]

Danny 'Yes Man' Wallace writes numerous observational pieces about where he found himself in 'awkward situations - and some of them made me laugh out loud. The length of the pieces make it a very easy read, so that even the poorest stories were OK as they only lasted 3-4 pages, and the good ones were real gems. It should also be noted that some of the material was originally published in the ShortList magazine. 5 out of 12.

[The Book Nazi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wallace Takes us through a year in his life, he recounts how he handled, and worried, with things life unexpectedly threw in his face. How do you walk behind a woman you don't know at night and want to show you mean no harm? How do you ask a minor celebrity to leave your party when they weren't even invited? What to do when you've mistaken a man for a woman and have been mistaken for someone who isn't you but you pretend to be them so as not to appear rude? This book is much different to Wallace's other works as this is not a travel story but its similarities lie in entertaining, warm, truthful storytelling which surely is the point of this kind of literature. Each 4 page chapter is a different tale which makes this so easy and digestible to read when you have 5 minutes to spare.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just printed off his magazine articles like Clarkson. Double money bit most not funny. Then last 10 pages flogging his new book which I have already read and that was rubbish to. Last ever.

[Anthony Bustos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danny Wallace has a fantastic sense of humor that fills each story in this book well. Probably my favorite of all his books and will stay a staple on my shelf that will be read again year after year.

[Nataliya Piletska · Rating 2 out of 5]

My friend loaned me this book; that was the only reason I read it through to the end. I found it first silly, then tedious, then inexplicably I started to get offended by it. It made me laugh exactly once. The rest of the time, the author alternated between being annoyingly condescending and pompous, then awkward and neurotic. I got the impression that he was trying to make himself out as modern, metrosexual and liberal-minded; friends with gay people, enjoyed watching Sex and the City, partaking in yoga, etc. but to me, it felt like he had written a list of gender stereotypes, how he opposed them, and then threw some awkwardness into it. It felt forced and a bit annoying. I try not to be the ranting feminist but it did rile me up when he went to yell at construction workers that 'This is my property. And she is my wife. And when you are on MY property and talking to MY wife...' and then actually finished the chapter with 'It's great realising you're a Man'. I think it was from that point onwards that I started disliking the book. After that, it was less charming, and more patronising, less humorous and more forced. But from the beginning, it felt like reading a book of knock-knock jokes: everything had to have a punchline, and I'm pretty certain retrospective editing played a big part in the making of the anecdotes. I'm probably not being very fair here, considering there were the odd chapters that tickled me, and keeping in mind that after reading a particularly stirring, wonderful book (The Colour Purple, I urge everyone to read it), nothing can quite live up to it for a while, but really the advantage of this book is its small self-contained chapters. You can put it down and resume later, no problem. Personally, though, I'd rather leave it down.

[Marcus Gipps · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve actually ended up reading most of Danny Wallace’s books – not for any particularly good reason, but they’re generally enjoyably readable, and it doesn’t hurt to dip into something a bit light-hearted and non-fiction from time to time. To be fair, that argument would be better if I didn’t spend most of my time reading comics and SF books, but still, I have a soft spot for the kind of book he normally writes.

This one, however, is a bit disappointing. A collection of articles Wallace has written for some magazine/newspaper I’ve never heard of, they focus on embarrassing situations that he, as A MAN, gets in to. You know, being stupid in front of his girlfriend, feeling a bit fraudulent in front of ‘real men’, getting confused about social etiquette and so on. That isn’t really a problem in itself - I’ve read loads of books of collected columns (I hesitate to call it journalism) and they can be very entertaining - but these feel really thin, to be honest. Thin columns don’t add up to a weighty book, no matter how many times the author claims an over-arching theme in the foreword. A passable enough way to spend the time, I suppose, and perhaps they would be better as an occasional treat rather than all in one book, but this isn’t really worth picking up.

I read the trade paperback during my breaks at work, out now, ISBN: 9780091937577

[Dane Cobain · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’ve ever read any of Danny Wallace’s writing then you’ll know what to expect here. He has a cracking sense of humour and a certain style of writing that reminds of good bloggers, only Wallace was writing before blogging was really a thing.

In this book, we see a year in his life through the awkward tales he tells of some of the bizarre social situations he manages to get himself into, from telling a woman that her baby looked like Hitler to having a child of his own and going along to parenting shows with his wife.

All of these stories are true, which makes them that little bit funnier, and they’re also easy to relate to whether you’re male or female, so long as you know what it’s like to be awkward at times and to have days where you just can’t adult anymore.

Overall then, this is one of the few books that I’ve read this year that made me laugh out loud, and even though it’s no longer new on the market, it’s aged well and reads like a new release. The writing is concise and entertaining, and it’s a genuine pleasure to read, whether you read it in one go or whether you space it out on the commute. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone – so go get it!

[L · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was different from Danny Wallace's other books, in that it was a collection of his short columns rather than a single narrative. That said, I still enjoyed it a lot and found myself dragging out finishing it since I knew once it was over I wouldn't have a new Danny Wallace book to read until his next one comes out (though apparently that will be sooner than I thought, so good news there). As with everything else he writes, this book was both funny and positive. Here's a snippet I particularly enjoyed:

"I refuse to be part of this movement that updates people constantly on my moods or thoughts via the internet. If they want it personal, it should be personal. So instead of updating Facebook with random facts, I now phone friends up and shout things down the phone at them before they even say hello. 'DANNY WALLACE HAS JUST EATEN AN EGG!'; 'DANNY WALLACE IS SPEAKING!'; 'DANNY WALLACE HAS A LITTLE BLUE HAT ON!' I then hang up and do not answer when they ring back. I like to think it adds the personal touch."

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely full of laugh-out-loud moments. It’s all about the little things that you never think about until they are encountered. The pastries that need hiding because of someone who made the effort to get them. Being the first to arrive at a distant friend’s party. Accidentally pulling the panic cord in the vapour room in an attempt to get rid of the steam. And it’s all in the name of attempting to avoid an awkward situation and not cause a scene. Wallace covers a fantastic range of topics in his simple approach of a series of columns about his experiences throughout the year rather than a simple narrative of a regular novel. Whatever the outcome in this charming commentary of Wallace’s life, it’s always hilarious as Danny struggles to cope with the unexpected characters that he meets upon his travels. He is certainly someone that I would very much enjoy having a pint with.

[Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I heart Danny Wallace. Quite a lot. I was surprised by how much I loved Yes Man (but hated the movie). So when I happened to see this book come past at work I had a quick look and thought I'd read it. This book took me a while to get through. Not because it's slow or boring but because I think it's best read a little at a time. Each piece is about 3 pages long so it's the perfect book to read when you've got a couple minutes spare here and there. I found about 4 or 5 of the pieces so funny that I had to pass them around for others to read. Enjoyed many of the others too. I like how DW describes situations so clearly, cleverly and funnily.

[Nick Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, with plenty of quirkiness and stuff easy (as a British male) to relate to. The peculiarities of modern urban life, and how blokes are increasingly stumbling in a world where we're supposed to be more sensitive and more socially capable. I did, however, find it a more 'bring a smile to your face' than 'laugh out loud' (though some parts were very hilarious), and the nature of the book in being a collection of columns written by the author on the theme.. made it feel slightly slim and slightly contrived (was it all true? does it matter if not?) in places.

[Chris Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite Yes Man but an excellent read, lots of different stories that are only a few pages long each so it is easily accessible. You can leave it for a little while and easily pick it back up. Some stories are a little boring but most are quite fun with a select few (generally where Wallace uses his querky humour to reflect on what is happening) that are absolute classics. Wallace is clearly a new age man and someone who I can really relate to, an excellent read I would recommend to anyone. Well done sir, good luck with the baby and a lovely last story.

[That Weaver Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a great book to recommend to someone that you want to get interested in Danny Wallace. The short essays are amusing and sweet and a little off (in the best possible way).

I laughed out loud less for this book than I did for some of his others, but there were still some definite chuckles that sneaked out when I was in public places (thus creating my own awkward situations.)

"SKIIIIIIRT!"

[Bob · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good. Not great. One gets the feeling that Danny is no longer documenting madcap incidents that unfurl and get out of hand (Join Me and Yes Man), but instead actively chasing stories, wringing them for potential comedy – with mixed results.

I love Danny, he’s still funnier than most - but when his latest effort has interludes akin to “Deep Thoughts With Jack Handey” – I have no qualms saying that his originality has gone by the wayside.

[Jono Carney · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's OK. The short little articles are entertaining enough but are never gonna have you laughing to yourself or yearning for more. The might raise a slight chuckle or sneaky upturn of the corner of you mouth, perhaps even a small giggle but nothing else. Some of the situations aren't even close to being awkward but you'll get through it quite quickly and afterwards you'll pretty much have forgotten everything that was in it so it doesn't really matter I suppose...

[Gwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is really a collection of articles from a publication he writes for regularly (the name escapes me). Wallace's style is easy to read and his enthusiasm for the ordinary is infectious. A good 'dip in and out' kind of book and it will have you chuckling out loud in places. Put down as a good holiday read or if a fellow teacher, something you can read during term time without your brain imploding.

[Jayde · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly this is quite a disappointment compared to Yes Man and Friends like these. There were a few moments where I smiled to myself but mostly I've just been turning the pages in the vain hope that he might eventually say something amusing.

Perhaps this book isn't for me (what with me being a woman and this being awkward situations for men). However in all honesty im not sure its for anyone but Danny Wallace thanks to its unusually smug tone.

[John Humber · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've seen Danny Wallace a couple of times on TV and he seems a nice enough bloke. He's not fat and he doesn't appear to be someone with a drink problem. Almost every one of these writings however involves eating and/or drinking. Maybe it's just a device that writers use when they're writing regular magazine columns. Maybe it doesn't work quite so well when all those columns are put together in a book. Yes, that's probably it.

[Russell Proctor · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked this book from a shelf in the hotel I was staying whilst on vacation. Primarily to see if this book was any better than another I had read by the same author ( reviewed earlier ).
As I feared this book was as dire as the previous, and only through sheer will did I persevere to its end.

I believe any man who mentions or uses the word metrosexual to describe themselves is not worthy of that title.

Enough said.

[Teàrlach · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second time reading this, and I was a bit apprehensive I might like it less the second time around (read it before, jokes might seem tired, I might've somehow changed and no longer enjoy anything funny that also has a profoundly personal touch to it, etc.).
Not to worry, though! I still loved it. I also still identified with some of the situations, and I still teared up at the end of Champagne and Love.

[Louise Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

i must be honest not to sure whoDanny wallace who is but have seen him on something or other it was an easy read took me yeons because i lost it as needed a rest between chapters as they were a bit samey on the whole realatively humourous if a bit far fetched did this really happen , did u really say that but if u look at my life a nd tales well yer pretty far fetched soan ok read but wld not be saying to anyone u really shld read this and soon not even men !!

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although in chronological order, the chapters of these book are more like standalone anecdotes with a few connecting bits here and there. So it's a bit different from his other books. Saying that, I was often found laughing out loud whilst reading at work so it's still very enjoyable. If you're a fan of Danny's randomness you'll enjoy it, if you are looking for a non-fiction 'story' maybe not.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm fond of Danny Wallace but sometimes his hapless, well-meaning blundering in situations can be hard to believe - he is surely not as naïve as he sometimes makes out? Unsurprisingly as each chapter began life as a magazine column, it's an entertaining and quick read, particularly for city commuting.

[Neil Denham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me laugh at least once every 3 pages, there are 240 pages, so that's 80 laughs. Considering the book cost me 99p from Oxfam in Leighton Buzzard then it just over a penny a laugh, which seems good value to me.

I will look out for the new volume that he has just published in a charity shop in a few years (but not in Leighton Buzzard, as it's an awful place).

[Matt Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A series of Danny Wallace's columns from The Short List magazine, concerning the many potential embarrassing pitfalls of modern male life, from staring at babys too long to throwing z list celebs out of partys. Enjoyablein parts but each tale is too short to get fully involved and into the whole atmosphere.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was really funny. Some have complained that it was unlike his other books as it was just a compilation of his magazine columns but I appreciated this because I felt it kept things fresh, almost like a book of short stories. I thought the humour came through well and the topics which were written about were relatable.

[Chetan Harjani · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is filled with humor, wit and crazy attitude of the author towards life. It tickles your stomach every now and then and makes your let out a whooping laugh. As you read through the author’s embarrassment and bewilderment when facing faux pas or awkward social situations, you come to love him and his wimpy ways. Looking for a hearty belly laugh? This books is just for you.