I was on a shuttle bus in San Francisco going to the airport when the shuttle picked up two of the most BORING people
at the Intercontinental San Francisco Hotel. They were sitting in front of me and they were talking too loud, they don't
need a megaphone.
They are just too BORING, their conversation despite being dull, and mundane made my neck crane as if it was one of
the most riveting conversational pieces ever. Why was I so eager ... so I listened to the conversation in toto as I was
Intrigued as to how they will end a boring conversation!
First Person: That was a big balikbayan box you have there.
Second Person: That is really BIG.
First Person: I am sure, that is heavy too, to think how BIG it was.
Second Person: Yes I bought a lot from the dollar store. I fill it in and there is still enough space.
First Person: A dollar store?
Second Person. You bet. even my son said I can get another round of purchases in the dollar store to fill up the space.
Second Person: Your son said that?
And they continue their repetitious exchange feeling like they own the shuttle bus. The problem is some people are
oblivious that they sound monotonous and stale. Boring people don't realize they are boring. In fact, no offense intended
... even YOU can be boring.
Had there been instances when you are in the mood to talk, you see people too uncomfortable - they want to rush to
the next available exit? Do your friends cover up and feign excuses just to get away from your stories? And did you feel
this is happening while riding in a lift going to the 12th floor and people want the nearest door on their way out?
But even if friends are wide-eyed with their mouths open, giving you the illusion that they were engrossed and involved,
it is not 100% sure that you are not BORING. Have you heard of the word pretense?
When BBM made his first SONA address, some people bluffed him by putting a brave face that they were enthralled, even
though he has not said anything compelling. And even though you are not BBM, people can always pretend you are engaging,
and interesting because they want to sell something to you afterward, or they have a mutual understanding connection with
you; or maybe because you have some bargaining power over them.
If you feel you make people doze to sleep, one rule of thumb is to ward off the conversation from BORING TOPICS. Although
nobody knows what topics click and what conversation piece ticks, there should be a conscious effort to stay away from
"downers". Although it sounds like a myopic view, some topics can be boring to some ... but definitely very interesting to others.
"History is like tsismis" is boring but not to the trolls out there who can give you an " eye for an eye" retaliatory and retributive
vengeful justice. Historical revisionism and historical denial are boring and so is Marcoleta's nearsighted view of ABS CBN franchise
and operations.
Pinoy Idol is a nursery for budding singers in the Philippines, but singers elbowing each other to give the much-needed "kulot" or
the dangerous "bali" is putting the much-needed tranquilizers on my beer. Darryl Yap's political lovefest with the powers-that-be
is making headlines, but his quick transition from a neophyte director to a petulant and testy wannabee made his critics recoil
to deep sleep.
The state of the nation address is important but boring. And so are the daily pronouncement that princess in Malacanang really made
a killing at the box office? The fact that your child made it to the honor roll is boring, so don't you dare bring that topic up.
The car chase in movies is boring except maybe when the car is flying at the speed of 150 miles and is headed in your direction.
Going fishing is tedious ... unless, of course, you caught Dyesebel for lunch.
Debates and elections are boring except maybe when Robin Padilla holds tight to his position as the number one senator ... or when
candidates jump ship like Marcoleta running out of gas at the finish line.
Women love Korean movies, especially if it is a marathon four-hour movie with subtitles to squint their eyes. Women love romances
but men abhor that. Men have limited endurance for a four-hour yearning. and as such they want everybody to disrobe right away.
No more beating around the bush anymore. And of course, they want to spice up the movie with gory scenes to keep them in their seat.
I still have a lot of examples to make, BUT I AM SICK AND TIRED OF THIS TOPIC. I am out of here!