I just learned that when I have nothing to do (or I guess even if I have something to do but just too bored to do it),

 

I become observant.

 

Just like earlier, I was in a seminar and the presenter was our German counterpart. I just find it a bit interesting because almost every 2 sentence said must entail a question or an affirmation.

 

As compared to Asian presenters, I guess he’s different in a sense that he would require, and I mean it, REQUIRE his audience to answer his questions and react to everything that must be reacted on. Even every “okay?” “alright?” “got it?” must be answered out rightly with a sounding YES or NO and not just a simple nod or a side by side head turn. Maybe he thought we were a bunch of apathetic pips. (hehe..but promise, we were listening and even taking down notes J), he looked really agitated and not very at ease presenting anymore at the start. He would often repeat saying “Oh Filipinos are so shy”, “Speak up guys, this is the point when you guys should be reacting already!”. Hay.

 

Just a simple thought.

 

Cultural difference at its peak.

 

First thing, were we really shy? I guess being silent could mean a lot of things apart from being shy.

 

One, people don’t find the topic interesting.

Two, the topic is okay but the presenter is not

Three, the topic is okay and the presenter is doing an absolute job but the audience’s mind is so pre-occupied with a lot of things.

Four, there’s nothing to react on to begin with

Fifth, Filipinos sometimes opt to just nod than open their mouth and say YES.

Sixth, there’s no question to ask because the audience knows the topic already

Seventh, there’s no question yet because the audience is still trying to figure out the answer alone first.

And so on..and so forth..

 

So many factors but why suddenly arrive at the conclusion that we were really shy? Maybe he has learned that Asians by nature are relatively timid than westerners and that led him to a sudden conclusion. Go figure. Well.. just saddened by that…

 

If I’ve got tons of things in mind, I wouldn’t notice these things and wouldn’t be bothered.

 

But…

 

I’ve got nothing to do (or I guess even if I have something to do but just too bored to do it)

 

and so…

I became observant.