Hearing with the Eyes
I sometimes have my breakfast in this popular fast food restaurant which offered good coffee and free wifi. I'd choose the most inconspicuous corner at the back and enjoy my coffee in solitude and peace. This morning, I found my favorite "discrete" spot occupied by a couple who seemed to have just survived a rough night.
After a few minutes sitting beside them, I became curious by the almost disconcerting silence between the two. I presupposed they're married. Couples who've been together for a loooooong time barely talk to each other during meals.
My hypothesis: The vivaciousness of the couples' conversation appears to be inversely proportional to the duration of the relationship.
Creating an equation for this:
Quality of Conversation = Interest
If both can talk, by now they'd be shouting at the top of their lungs creating quite a commotion. Since their anger was "shouted" in silence, the rest of us were kept in peace to enjoy our breakfast.
Indeed, there is a distinct advantage with relying solely on hand movements and facial expressions to express thoughts and emotions. The EYES can readily be shut. The EARS cannot. Shut the eyes and you will no longer "hear" the words that hurt and divide.
Truly, in the height of anger, the tongue can be a sharp sword capable of mercilessly stabbing hearts. Those of us who are "gifted" with the ability to hear are rendered defenseless against its onslaught. No matter how much we try not to listen, words can still seep through like termites that can eat the soul slowly.
While the guy continued "shouting" with his gestures, the girl looked away, and at one point, even smiled at me. By refusing to see, she has not heard. What she does not "hear" will definitely not hurt her...
Strangely, this experience brought into mind certain lines from a classic Basil Valdez's song,
" Sinong dakila, sinong tunay na baliw?
" Singong mapalad, sinong tumatawag ng habag? "
Sino nga ba?
After a few minutes sitting beside them, I became curious by the almost disconcerting silence between the two. I presupposed they're married. Couples who've been together for a loooooong time barely talk to each other during meals.
My hypothesis: The vivaciousness of the couples' conversation appears to be inversely proportional to the duration of the relationship.
Creating an equation for this:
Quality of Conversation = Interest
Time
Of course, this is not a scientifically proven formula! In fact, in this occasion, the couple's silence was likely not brought about by overfamiliarity or waning interest as the two were communicating in sign language!
I looked at the guy whose rapid and rough hand movements suggested he was intensely mad at something the girl did. The girl appeared apologetic.The guy appeared skeptical and furious. I do not understand sign language, but their gestures and facial expressions suggested a serious lovers' quarrel. Very Interesting. Very... VERY interesting!
Of course, this is not a scientifically proven formula! In fact, in this occasion, the couple's silence was likely not brought about by overfamiliarity or waning interest as the two were communicating in sign language!
I looked at the guy whose rapid and rough hand movements suggested he was intensely mad at something the girl did. The girl appeared apologetic.The guy appeared skeptical and furious. I do not understand sign language, but their gestures and facial expressions suggested a serious lovers' quarrel. Very Interesting. Very... VERY interesting!
If both can talk, by now they'd be shouting at the top of their lungs creating quite a commotion. Since their anger was "shouted" in silence, the rest of us were kept in peace to enjoy our breakfast.
Indeed, there is a distinct advantage with relying solely on hand movements and facial expressions to express thoughts and emotions. The EYES can readily be shut. The EARS cannot. Shut the eyes and you will no longer "hear" the words that hurt and divide.
Truly, in the height of anger, the tongue can be a sharp sword capable of mercilessly stabbing hearts. Those of us who are "gifted" with the ability to hear are rendered defenseless against its onslaught. No matter how much we try not to listen, words can still seep through like termites that can eat the soul slowly.
While the guy continued "shouting" with his gestures, the girl looked away, and at one point, even smiled at me. By refusing to see, she has not heard. What she does not "hear" will definitely not hurt her...
Strangely, this experience brought into mind certain lines from a classic Basil Valdez's song,
" Sinong dakila, sinong tunay na baliw?
" Singong mapalad, sinong tumatawag ng habag? "
Sino nga ba?
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