What is communication? According to Webster’s thesaurus, communicate (verb) means: impart, inform, tell, confer, talk, converse, chat, and write, whereas communication (noun) means: utterance, writing, broadcasting, speaking, and interchange.
How do we communicate on the road and in our daily life?
During my trip to Hanoi, Vietnam in January this year, what caught my attention was the traffic. There were many cars, motorbikes, bicycles and tricycles; this was a rare sight back home. I put my hat off to the driver who chauffeured my friend and me from the airport to our hotel. I really considered him a skilful and fast driver, driving at night in high speed. What amazed and bewildered us was, he almost honked and flashed his highlight the entire journey to overtake and get ahead to reach our destination. We looked at each other, suffering from a serious cultural shock. Back home we consider this as rude act lacking in road courtesy. We will only honk when necessary. But honking is the way of life in Honoi. You not only hear the noise of vehicles moving on the road, but also constant honking. Well, the drivers get what they want; driving and overtaking and moving ahead in high speeds. However, that does not deter one from visiting Honoi. It’s a place worth visiting and full of beauty yet to be discovered by those who have not been there.
This enlightening experience set me deep in thought till now and made me wonder as to how we actually communicate with the people around us; to our loved ones, family members, relatives, friends, colleague, acquaintances, strangers, and so on. Do we also honk in anger and irritation, as impatient as the drivers in Hanoi and totally disregarding how others feel? Do we just go ahead and get what we want? Is that what life is all about?
I came across this poem which I would like to share with you, and I feel that it is meaningful regarding the topic of communication. The title of this poem is “One Final Touch”.
One Final Touch
If one lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
How do we communicate on the road and in our daily life?
During my trip to Hanoi, Vietnam in January this year, what caught my attention was the traffic. There were many cars, motorbikes, bicycles and tricycles; this was a rare sight back home. I put my hat off to the driver who chauffeured my friend and me from the airport to our hotel. I really considered him a skilful and fast driver, driving at night in high speed. What amazed and bewildered us was, he almost honked and flashed his highlight the entire journey to overtake and get ahead to reach our destination. We looked at each other, suffering from a serious cultural shock. Back home we consider this as rude act lacking in road courtesy. We will only honk when necessary. But honking is the way of life in Honoi. You not only hear the noise of vehicles moving on the road, but also constant honking. Well, the drivers get what they want; driving and overtaking and moving ahead in high speeds. However, that does not deter one from visiting Honoi. It’s a place worth visiting and full of beauty yet to be discovered by those who have not been there.
This enlightening experience set me deep in thought till now and made me wonder as to how we actually communicate with the people around us; to our loved ones, family members, relatives, friends, colleague, acquaintances, strangers, and so on. Do we also honk in anger and irritation, as impatient as the drivers in Hanoi and totally disregarding how others feel? Do we just go ahead and get what we want? Is that what life is all about?
I came across this poem which I would like to share with you, and I feel that it is meaningful regarding the topic of communication. The title of this poem is “One Final Touch”.
One Final Touch
If one lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
If one lives with hostility, he learns to fight.
If one lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.
If one lives with fear, he learns to be apprehensive.
If one lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.
If one lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
If one lives with encouragement he learns to be confident.
If one lives with acceptance, he learns to love.
If one lives with recognition, he learns it is good to have a goal.
If one lives with honesty he learns what truth is.
If one lives with fairness, he learns justice.
If one lives with security, he learns to have faith in himself and those about him.
If one lives with friendliness, he learns the world is a nice place in which to live to love and be loved.
(Anonymous)
(Anonymous)
2 comments:
I think blogging is a form of communication too. You can reach someone and touch them with meaningful reflections (like what you are doing now). Other times,you can bring humor or just get to know one another. I've tagged you - communicating with you. ;)
Hi! Bkworm,
You are absolutely right looking through your eyes as a blogger. Pen are indeed mightier than words. Keep up your good work in blogging as yours have touched and cheered many hearts too :)
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