Michael Ziesing

This is a page for haphazard sentiments, views and other salmagundi that does not fit elsewhere.

Newest entries come first.

2003
May 3: Walking
It doesn't take very long in Thailand to find out that Thais walk slowly. Very slowly. In crowded Bangkok, that can sometimes be annoying.

On the other hand, I have a friend from the UK who is a only bit taller than me but somehow, with long strides and a slightly quick pace, walks MUCH faster than me. That's a bit annoying as well.

I realized many years ago that how we walk can change how we feel about ourselves. Walking slowly with small steps and head down is often a sign of depression. When I'm a bit bummed out, I try to take longer strides and maintain good posture. Often times there is a pleasant matter over mind result and the depression vanishes.

April 29: Bangkok Red Lights
What is the longest period of time you have ever waited at a red light? For me, it was 19 minutes -- and the light was red when I got there. Bangkok must have the longest red lights in the world. Sometimes this is in the name of "traffic flow" and sometimes it is because a policeman is busy (e.g., talking on his mobile phone) and doesn't change the light. Sometimes it is due to a mysterious Red Light God or Goddess. Who knows?

One reason I drive my motorcycle rather than my pickup, at least during heavy traffic times of day, is because motorcycles can weave their way to the front of the traffic at the red light. Then we only have to wait through the light one time. Cars -- can you imagine this -- sometimes sit through those lights 2 or 3 times.

April 28: Hot
When the weather gets as hot as it is right now, it is difficult to handle -- even if you're Thai. How hot is it right now? It's 97 degrees F with a heat index of 108.

Bangkok is, according to the World Meteorological Society, the hottest city in the world. This is based on year around average high-low temps. The low temp last night, for example, was 82 degrees. Very difficult sleeping weather.

I can count on one hand the number of times, in over ten years, that I have felt cold here. Most of those times involved rain and getting wet.

April 25: The Freedom in Speech
When we're it Rome, it doesn't strike me that we need to do ALL the things the Romans do. One thing that can be extremely helpful, however, is learning the local language.

Many foreigners who come to Thailand never learn Thai. They usually become dependent on wives or girlfriends to translate for them or take care of problems or emergencies. Personally, I can't imagine being so needy and helpless. This amounts to voluntarily accepting deafness and dumbness. Illiteracy is already part of the equation.

Some expats want to learn the language but don't have an aptitude for it. That's understandable. Surprisingly though, there are a lot who (claim) to have no desire or inclination to learn. Somewhere along the line in a conversation with such a person, you will hear something like, "Oh my wife takes care of that."

I don't know about you, but I like the idea of being self sufficient. Besides, my wife doesn't spend 24 hours a day 365 days a year at my side.

" Whoever cannot express himself is a slave. Speaking is an act of freedom; the word is freedom itself." Ludwig Feuerbach

April 24: Multilingualism and Problem Solving
Matthew is four years old. He speaks Thai, English and Khmer. Recently Matthew's 12 year old cousin Pap came for a visit. One evening Matthew's Dad asked Pap in English whether he was hungry. Pap, who speaks Thai and Khmer, didn't understand. Matthew, who watched the interchange, proceeded to ask Pap in Thai whether he was hungry. Matthew's Dad then asked Pap in English whether he wanted to eat. Pap, again hesitating, didn't answer. Matthew then went on to ask that question in Thai.

In your view, what is the most significant thing about this interchange? 1. Matthew can speak Thai. 2. Matthew can speak English. 3. Matthew can translate English into Thai. 4. Matthew realized that his cousin needed a translation.

If you said number four, you agree with me. I think it is the most significant because it involves making an inference and following through with the appropriate action. It involves problem solving because his cousin had a problem and Matthew solved it for him.

Instead of a Journal Main Page