Mamihlapinatapai

Mamihlapinatapai (sometimes spelled mamihlapinatapei) is a word from the Yaghan language of Tierra del Fuego, listed in The Guinness Book of World Records as the "most succinct word", and is considered one of the hardest words to translate. It describes "a look shared by two people with each wishing that the other will initiate something that both desire but which neither one wants to start." ***

I first came across this word on my friend's multiply blog. It was funny sounding, so I went on to read the entire journal entry. I just can't help but smile as I read it. I told myself sapul! Cue one of my favorite Eraserheads song:

"WALANG DAPAT IPAGTAKA, AKO AY PINANGANAK NA TORPE
DIYAN SA TABI TABI
PASENSYA NA"


How many times could this have happened to me? That was the question that hovered in my mind. Ten times? Fifty times? A hundred? I can't say. But this definitely happened to me A LOT OF TIMES. Yes people, despite my apparent strong personality, NERBYOSO ako. Haha there. If eye contact flirting was a crime, then I would have been long put into jail. Even when I'm having my alcohol fix, just the thought of introducing myself to some random girl is enough para mawala yung lasing ko. That's how nerbyoso I am. Many times than not, I go home thinking "sayang, nakikipag titigan at ngitian na e" I know that even if the girl is interested too, she won't make a move until I do so. But, just to stress my point NERBYOSO nga ako. So there, an undending cycle of MAMIHLAPINATAPAI.

This is my favorite word for the moment, as it is undeniably a common occurence in my life. But I don't want it to define me forever, so I know I have to find a way to break this jinx. NERBYOSO? MAMIHLAPINATAPAI?? KAMPAI!!!

*** taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamihlapinatapai