Saturday, July 23, 2011

Social Interactions

       Meeting new people and relating with them is a wonderful way to reduce uncertainties and make meaningful social exchanges.Some are very nervous in talking to people,don't know what to say or how to "break the ice".Others find it natural to easily blend in with anyone or with any group because they're outgoing,gregarious and expressive.So,what about those who are reserved....shy......quiet......or those who don't talk to people easily?Can they also enjoy the fun and excitement of mingling with people?Well,definitely yeah!What they can do is to understand the theories on reducing uncertainties and making social exchanges.In my case,I am really a shy person and I'm working hard to improve my people skills and so far,I'm enjoying the process and learning new things.Right now,I want to share my experiences during Raiyne's birthday party and high school soiree with my batch mates.

       Yesterday was a great day because our block mate,Raiyne,had a celebration in Fiamma Fresh Fridays,a high-end bar.I'm happy to witness her birthday together with my other block mates.She said that she didn't want a princess debut because there would only be a limited number people who would go.Meaning,selected people would only go.When she said that during our SA(Sociology and Anthropology) class,I felt touched since it was generous of her to invite so many people to her party.I was the first one to arrive and this made me a bit restless because the guestlist (with my name on it) hasn't arrived yet so I can't go in and I had no one to be with.Good thing,one of my blockmates,Meryl,arrived after a short while but she was with her friends so I'm still left alone.At least,"better have ONE block mate with me than none"! :D A few minutes went by and my other block mates arrived already arrived with the guestlist.Finally!I was now with them at last!I reduced my uncertainty by talking to my block mates and asked them questions so I can seek information.I slowly getting at ease in the party because I was hanging-out with my block mates.The music was so lively and loud that they danced along with it and I only danced a bit,hehe.We also drank and some of my block mates got drunk and tipsy.After bidding Raiyne good bye,my friend,Gia,dropped me off at my home.That was something I will never forget in my life!

       I also remember as one of my memorable experiences the soiree we had in the house of our classmate's friend at Corinthian Gardens who was an ICAn.I went there with my friend going there because I didn't want being alone.We finally arrived and I was so astounded since her house was so big,lovely and conducive for parties and other events.I was about to get a drink when my friend introduced me to her since she was the hostess.Almost getting a drink,I heard her call "Migi" and I thought it was me so I really turned my back but she was referring to my classmate,Mike whom she calls "Migi".So,she said "uyy,tumingin siya"...This flattered me and my face turned a bit sour because it was really said in a flattering way.Good thing,I composed myself or else I could have gotten found out! =))Anyway,I also made an effort in relating with the other girls in the soiree to get rid of my shyness and nervousness.And,it turned out well because I was able to reduce the uncertainties and make good social exchanges.I just have to go out more often according to one classmate of mine.I kept quiet for a while and used passive strategies like observing how the people there behaved so I can easily relate with them.I did this NOT to stalk them ah,haha!It turned out very well,enjoying the rest of the night with my classmates and the girls in that soiree.I went home with a smile in my face,remembering that soiree as the first and last during my senior year.

         Maybe,some of you guys could have asked who this girl was?She was third year then and me,fourth  year,both high school students.Right now,she's freshman college student and me,a sophomore college student.Did I find her attractive?Well,yes. :D I also found her a gracious and sophisticated person who knows how to engage people's attention and can be flattering,I think....based from that experience with her.I can't tell the name though since some of my friends might know who she is and they'll tease me.But anyway,the details include her being an ICAn during highschool and living in Corinthian Gardens,hehe.

      So much for these memories!Every time I think about these meaninful experiences,it inspires me because I know I can handle my shyness and do something about it,even my block mates found me a shy person.I know that I have made a big improvement in relating with people.By mastering and applying the theories,I can will be smooth and suave in meeting new people and relating with them.All I have to do is to reduce uncertainties and make meaningful social exchanges! =))

     

Saturday, July 16, 2011

My experience with inconsistency.....SMOKING:)

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to do something that you don't like but you have to? Did that experience help or not? Did it affect you as a person? Anyway, I remembered giving in to the urges of my friends during my high school because of one thing:peer pressure. Peer pressure can be good if it inspires the person,benefits him/her and is still consistent with his/her beliefs. On the other hand, it's not advisable to give in if it is against one's beliefs. In my case, I gave in and even though it was against my values or beliefs, I enjoyed it because I was able to benefit from it somehow.....So,where did I allow my friends to urge me in doing something I don't like? Smoking.....

  So,during my second year high school,I was on my way home from La Salle when I met up with two of my friends. One was my classmate and the other was just my batchmate. They told me they had plans of playing Billiards at Robinsons Galleria. But,I told them I couldn't join them because I didn't have enought money. So, they offered me one condition-that they would me treat me out in billiards if I would finish one stick of cigarette!At first, I was really didn't like it because I never smoke in my life and I'm an athlete.I gave in anyway but I wasn't able to finish even half a stick.It was a good thing my friends were really understanding and accepted me that way as well.I had so much fun with them and it was really a meaningful experience though.

   I learned from this experience that we all have our own beliefs,attitudes and values. And,it would really be uncomfortable if you would go against your cognitions (just like in my case which is smoking). I mean you would have a hard time doing it and chances are you have to make a stand on such situations. So,it is advisable to check if it would be harmful on your part to give in to peer pressure or not.I may have gone against my belief that it is unhealthy to smoke but I gave in because my friends were understanding and I wasn't harmed. :)

Saturday, July 9, 2011

People-Reading...Enjoying how it is to relate with people based on who they are

    The lectures in our Comm class as I have observed are becoming more and more interesting.What really got me engaged for this week's lecture was the Kinesic Theory. This was introduced by Birdwhistell,Ekman and Friesen. Now, I also liked this theory because it can give me a chance to understand people's body languages and gestures. In the process of understanding it, I would be able to apply the DISC behavioral approach my mom taught me to know myself and others, and be able to adapt to my own environment. :D

    The "D" stands for Dominance and refer to people who are very controlling and authoritative.I suddenly remember my prefects who always get mad at me before when I wouldn't follow their instructions.They really want to get things done very quickly and are results-oriented people. I normally get intimidated in their presence sometimes but at least I'll get used to them gradually.

   The "I" depicts those who are an "Influence"-er! In my opinion,I view them as party-goers,very lively,sociable and who have charisma.I enjoy their company because they really engage me well. I just don't like the fact that they can be very manipulative sometimes.In this case,I just have to be careful when dealing with them so I wouldn't be vulnerable.

    The "S" is for those who are Steady.I really feel calm and relaxed when I relate with them since they're loyal,soft-spoken,sincere and supportive.What I just don't like in them is the fact that they're not as assertive or tough in critical times.
  
    Finally,the "C" stands for those who're Conscientious.I'm really happy to know that I'm one of them and this inspires me.They value perfection,focused,analytical and task-oriented.They can be overly-critical of themselves and others when they get pressured.Realizing this,it is important for me to be more accepting of myself and others to have a harmonoius relationship with them.

    So,guys,knowing these types,which of them best describe you?By knowing who youare,you can fully understand yourself and others to create a more meaningful relationship with one another! :D

Saturday, July 2, 2011

The Types of Communication Scholarship:)

    A theory is first discovered when you observe and ask questions then you get answers. But,I discovered that curiousity can help in formulating a theory because it opens the mind to learn new ideas and helps generate new concepts.When we are curious,we normally ask questions,right?So,because of that,it is crucial to practice the skill asking questions which leads to scholarship or knowledge.They're divided into three types:Scientific,Humanistic and Socio-scientific.

    Scientific scholarship relates science as an objective field of study. It is "associated with objectivity,standardization and generalizability".This is normally used by scientists who use the data and information scientifically or technically.Scientists make sure that they reach an accurate observation of the world so they can agree with each other.I really think that they use the "scientific method" of reporting or gathering data.it first starts with observation through the use of the five senses.It pays to have sharp and keen senses of course,since they are the "midwives of intelligence".Then,they make a tentative hypothesis as their assumption which is followed by experimenting to check the accuracy and find out the mistakes.Finally,when it's already accurate,they form a conclusion to confirm their hypothesis.

    Humanistic scholarship is a fun type of scholarship for me because you get to use your creativity and emotions which is normally related to subjectivity.This is frequently used by humanistic scholars who want to understand the differences of human responses.In understanding human responses,they have their own values or standards.

    Social-scientific scholarship includes both scientific and humanistic scholarship.It is a social science because it talks about the behaviours of human beings.When observing people's behaviour,one should be like a scientist because he or she can accurately describe their personalities.