Bẻn Lẻn (Shy)
“Don’t be shy.”
I know that word, shy. It means I’m not trying hard enough.
I smile at the American girl, pushing down my anxiety. “Where . . . you from?”
I don’t understand her answer, but I nod, smiling.
Everyone at the dorm mixer is chatting, even the other Vietnamese girl across the room. I sip my drink, watching.
I need to practice, but I can’t form the sentences fast enough, and I can’t understand most of what is said in these quick American accents.
“Ngoc, come meet Audrey,” my RA calls. “Ngoc’s really nice,” she tells the other girl. “Just shy.”
I saw this picture and thought wall+flower. We are having a new student intake at my university this week and as with every intake, there is a lot of anxiety with international students who suddenly have to take what they have studied in books and use it with native speakers. It’s not easy at the beginning.
The Green-Walled Treehouse 
Anyone would be shy if they didn’t understand what was going on
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My manicurist is Vietnamese. I remember at first she couldn’t understand anything, now she translates for her sisters who have joined her in her shop. Smart as a whip, that woman, and also a little shy.
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I know how hard it can be not to understand. I’ve been there feeling helpless trying to communicate. Shy is a nice way to save face I think.
I love the picture of the girl. 🙂
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My hearing isn’t what it used to be and in a crowded room, I can hardly understand anything people are saying.
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A common experience, I think, whether or not one is truly shy. That emotion came through loud and clear in your story.
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Those awkward student days – and I never even went to another country!
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I know what it’s like, both to be alone in a foreign country, and to be shy. You captured those feelings and impressions perfectly. It will get better.
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What a lovely take on the prompt, David. Love that you went for the wallflower 🙂
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Good call on the “realistic” tag.
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Fitting in and finding your place is not so easy at first, until confidence grows.
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Being shy and being unfamiliar with the language is an impossible situation. One or both issues needs changing fast.
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We have a new family in the neighborhood from Afghanistan. The man worked for the U.S. Military and he’s the only one who speaks English. His wife and 12 kids (with another on the way) do not. I feel for them. The teenage boys want to work, but the language barrier makes it nearly impossible.
Nice use of the prompt. 🙂
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This story connects on multiple levels and was an excellent use of the prompt. I’d guess that just about everyone reading this can see a part of themselves in Ngoc. And it was nice to learn a new word too!
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So many hurdles for her to overcome. Not only the speed of others’ speech, but the cultural differences as well, and the normal difficulty of finding her way alone in a new environment. I can relate so much to her as I taught ESL to immigrants and refugees for many years.
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Dear David,
I can understand shy. And in a new country with a new language. Nicely done. I love that you went with wall flower.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Being both shy and having lived in foreign countries, this hits a lot of chords with me. My stomach twisted as I read. I detested the word shy. Well done! Unique take on the prompt, too.
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Thank you, Angela. Yes, I used to be quite shy and hated it and I lived in Korea so I know what it’s like to want to talk but not being able to because of language issues. Thanks for reading!
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I understand a little how she might feel having lived most of my adult life overseas. Plus, my husband used to teach ESL and one semester in Asia he taught students who were preparing to travel to the US for studies. Best wishes!
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Some of this is taken from my observations of newly arrived students and some from my time living in Korea. Sometimes you want to make friends but just don’t have the words. Thanks for reading. 🙂
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