Comments on: How I Learned to Shut Up and Listen http://www.travelblogs.com/articles/how-i-learned-to-shut-up-and-listen Stories, Advice and the Internet's Best Travel Blogs Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:40:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Kkirb http://www.travelblogs.com/articles/how-i-learned-to-shut-up-and-listen/comment-page-1#comment-27583 Kkirb Sun, 31 Jan 2010 18:23:54 +0000 http://www.travelblogs.com/?p=1183#comment-27583 Big difference between speaking and communicating. Somehow, learning a new language points this out. Learning Portuguese in Brazil at 40 took me for a ride on the steepest learning curve since tying a shoe and riding a bike. I remember the very first full conversation. I had changed sides of the gas pump to fill my rental car after discovering the gas cap was on the other side - Me: "It's a rental. I never know which side." Him: "Now you know." I was thrilled. Along with food, history, politics, race and gender attitudes, there's no way to truly know a place without at least exploring the language. Mastery not likely necessary. Big difference between speaking and communicating. Somehow, learning a new language points this out. Learning Portuguese in Brazil at 40 took me for a ride on the steepest learning curve since tying a shoe and riding a bike. I remember the very first full conversation. I had changed sides of the gas pump to fill my rental car after discovering the gas cap was on the other side – Me: “It’s a rental. I never know which side.” Him: “Now you know.” I was thrilled.
Along with food, history, politics, race and gender attitudes, there’s no way to truly know a place without at least exploring the language. Mastery not likely necessary.

]]> By: Costa Rica Surfing http://www.travelblogs.com/articles/how-i-learned-to-shut-up-and-listen/comment-page-1#comment-9462 Costa Rica Surfing Fri, 17 Apr 2009 22:37:45 +0000 http://www.travelblogs.com/?p=1183#comment-9462 I love the self-imposed shyness I feel while learning Spanish. I find it allows me to spend more time in silence with others. I've always wanted to travel to Chile for a surf trip. I hear there are great waves, but the waters a bit cold. I noticed that the photo of the article was taken in Huanchaco, Peru, where the fishermen have been surfing the waves with reed boats for thousands of years. I love the self-imposed shyness I feel while learning Spanish. I find it allows me to spend more time in silence with others.

I’ve always wanted to travel to Chile for a surf trip. I hear there are great waves, but the waters a bit cold. I noticed that the photo of the article was taken in Huanchaco, Peru, where the fishermen have been surfing the waves with reed boats for thousands of years.

]]> By: Fly Girl http://www.travelblogs.com/articles/how-i-learned-to-shut-up-and-listen/comment-page-1#comment-8479 Fly Girl Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:18:08 +0000 http://www.travelblogs.com/?p=1183#comment-8479 I totally identify, Eileen. Language is so much a part of your personality, especially for professional communicators. It's funny how a fast-talking Brooklynite can transform into an introspective listeners in a different environment. Although I never got the impression that you were all that quiet from your blog! I totally identify, Eileen. Language is so much a part of your personality, especially for professional communicators. It’s funny how a fast-talking Brooklynite can transform into an introspective listeners in a different environment. Although I never got the impression that you were all that quiet from your blog!

]]> By: Nik http://www.travelblogs.com/articles/how-i-learned-to-shut-up-and-listen/comment-page-1#comment-8461 Nik Mon, 06 Apr 2009 07:42:56 +0000 http://www.travelblogs.com/?p=1183#comment-8461 Very well written Eileen, and I totally agree as well! Especially with this line: I’m often happy to let events take place without interrupting them, just listening to people say what they have to, what they want to. Very well written Eileen, and I totally agree as well! Especially with this line: I’m often happy to let events take place without interrupting them, just listening to people say what they have to, what they want to.

]]> By: edj http://www.travelblogs.com/articles/how-i-learned-to-shut-up-and-listen/comment-page-1#comment-8148 edj Thu, 02 Apr 2009 22:30:28 +0000 http://www.travelblogs.com/?p=1183#comment-8148 Ah...how I could relate to this post! I'm still at the "intense listening" stage. It's funny how people interpret our personalities according to our language liabilities. I had a friend who thought I was a quiet person, not to mention a good listener, and then she joined my ESL class and was surprised at how animated and energetic I was. Ah…how I could relate to this post! I’m still at the “intense listening” stage.
It’s funny how people interpret our personalities according to our language liabilities. I had a friend who thought I was a quiet person, not to mention a good listener, and then she joined my ESL class and was surprised at how animated and energetic I was.

]]> By: Still Life in Buenos Aires http://www.travelblogs.com/articles/how-i-learned-to-shut-up-and-listen/comment-page-1#comment-8115 Still Life in Buenos Aires Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:32:26 +0000 http://www.travelblogs.com/?p=1183#comment-8115 Beautifully written. I share many of your feelings at year one. :-) But I'm usually the quiet "sweet" one at gatherings. haha. Beautifully written.

I share many of your feelings at year one. :-) But I’m usually the quiet “sweet” one at gatherings. haha.

]]> By: Steven Roll http://www.travelblogs.com/articles/how-i-learned-to-shut-up-and-listen/comment-page-1#comment-8113 Steven Roll Thu, 02 Apr 2009 12:36:57 +0000 http://www.travelblogs.com/?p=1183#comment-8113 Your post will help me to enjoy the journey of learning a language more. It sounds like the final "destination" of being able to tell people stuff in another language is useful, but not as fulfilling as it seems. Listening, on the other hand, is an underrated skill in any language--including my native one. Your post will help me to enjoy the journey of learning a language more. It sounds like the final “destination” of being able to tell people stuff in another language is useful, but not as fulfilling as it seems. Listening, on the other hand, is an underrated skill in any language–including my native one.

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