Cambodian forgetfulness /problems with short-term memory

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Freightdog
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Re: Cambodian forgetfulness /problems with short-term memory

Post by Freightdog »

curiosity wrote: Mon Apr 08, 2019 8:39 pm Hi folks,

I noticed that Cambodia has some of the most forgetful people I have ever met. As in repeatedly forgetting to buy at least one item on the shopping list (even though the shopping list is in Khmer). Or as in cleaning up and then not remembering where they put stuff. Recently I observed a Khmer person tidying up the office. I saw her put something I needed in the top drawer. A few hours later I asked her where said thing was (because I was curious whether she would remember).
Some of that describes me, for the last 20 years. How often have I been to the shops with a shopping list and lost the list before I got there? I blame it on having too many pockets. It’s usually because I’m tired or distracted, not because I’m Khmer. :wink:

I’m with Violet in her assessment. We give someone a task, and they become task oriented. People simply don’t place the same importance on a specific item as you might, unless you bring that specific item to their attention.
I watch the kids messing around with their toys. When it comes time and I tell them to tidy up, everything goes in to one big jumble, unless there is a specific item of interest to them. Which is why we randomly find wallets, phones etc in with socks and Lego.

Discipline is the thing that is missing with the kids (but the big stick and bread/water for a week sorts that) and if there was one area that was at the root of your perceived problem with Khmer, I’d be inclined to say lack of discipline. On the whole, it’s quite relaxed here in Cambodia, which is probably why it’s so popular with so many expats. Me included. But I don’t believe it’s mostly a Khmer problem. It is inconsistent, though.
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Ravensnest
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Re: Cambodian forgetfulness /problems with short-term memory

Post by Ravensnest »

curiosity wrote: Mon Apr 08, 2019 8:39 pm Hi folks,

I noticed that Cambodia has some of the most forgetful people I have ever met. As in repeatedly forgetting to buy at least one item on the shopping list (even though the shopping list is in Khmer). Or as in cleaning up and then not remembering where they put stuff. Recently I observed a Khmer person tidying up the office. I saw her put something I needed in the top drawer. A few hours later I asked her where said thing was (because I was curious whether she would remember). Alas she couldn't remember where she put it. Do you have similar experiences with Cambodian forgetfulness?
That's a douchebag thing to do, "test" whoevers memory.
Probably the in the drawer is not as important to them as it is to you hence the lack of remembering. Will your wife would say you remember everything 100%?
Still here, in country...
Tarndog
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Re: Cambodian forgetfulness /problems with short-term memory

Post by Tarndog »

Ahhhh, do as I say and not as I do is the rule of the day. Some people can be critical of Cambodians but others can't.

One other possibility is that it's not forgetfulness, and in fact might be simple indifference. If they can't find something they figure you can just buy another. They don't have any problems with you contributing as much to their economy as possible, regardless of whose pocket the money goes into, so long as it's a Khmer.
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Re: Cambodian forgetfulness /problems with short-term memory

Post by hanno »

Ravensnest wrote: Tue Apr 09, 2019 7:06 am
curiosity wrote: Mon Apr 08, 2019 8:39 pm Hi folks,

I noticed that Cambodia has some of the most forgetful people I have ever met. As in repeatedly forgetting to buy at least one item on the shopping list (even though the shopping list is in Khmer). Or as in cleaning up and then not remembering where they put stuff. Recently I observed a Khmer person tidying up the office. I saw her put something I needed in the top drawer. A few hours later I asked her where said thing was (because I was curious whether she would remember). Alas she couldn't remember where she put it. Do you have similar experiences with Cambodian forgetfulness?
That's a douchebag thing to do, "test" whoevers memory.
Probably the in the drawer is not as important to them as it is to you hence the lack of remembering. Will your wife would say you remember everything 100%?
I personally perceive the OP's post as thinly veiled, a shit what was the word?


Ah yes, racism.
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SternAAlbifrons
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Re: Cambodian forgetfulness /problems with short-term memory

Post by SternAAlbifrons »

For me the big one in understanding the Khmer mind, and easing my own frustrations, is accepting the widely held theory that Khmers do not have the same operating system as most other cultures/peoples.
ie, They do not use Cartesian logic.

When you start to get your head around that basic fact - it explains so much of what drives us westerners bat-crap crazy when trying to do something in this country.
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Re: Cambodian forgetfulness /problems with short-term memory

Post by Anchor Moy »

I'm with the people who say that "you remember what's important for you". As for forgetting something on a list, everybody does it. It sounds to me like the OP has a problem with a particular person, so don't know why this would extend to all Cambodians.
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Re: Cambodian forgetfulness /problems with short-term memory

Post by Duncan »

Most forgetfulness can be overcome by being organized .

I bought a jig-saw puzzle for the kids last Saturday and watched as they struggled to make sense of it .

After I told them to firstly make sure that all pieces were colour side up.
2 ] Find the 4 pieces that fit in the corners, they all have two flat sides.
3 ] Separate the ones with one flat side into one heap and place them around the edge.
4 ] The remaining ones put in groups with the same colours.

Didn't take them long to finish it after that.
Cambodia,,,, Don't fall in love with her.
Like the spoilt child she is, she will not be happy till she destroys herself from within and breaks your heart.
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Re: Cambodian forgetfulness /problems with short-term memory

Post by phuketrichard »

I have to tell my gf , always when u use something put it back exactly where you got it,
'does she do it, nope, does she recall where she put it no
so we have to search thru the house for it.
Cambodian? not sure but it is my gf ...
amazing...
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Re: Cambodian forgetfulness /problems with short-term memory

Post by Queef »

You have to remember that Cambodians will do everything possible to avoid confrontation/ being in an uncomfortable situation. Holding somebody accountable for his/her actions (or lack of) means that down the line, he/ she will lose face. Nothing matters more than saving face in this country.

"I don't remember", "I forgot", "I don't know", or "yes" when it's clearly "no" are just a few examples of saving face 101.

They are trying to save face while simultaneously trying not to hurt your feelings. It's a weird way of thinking, but that's how shit goes down here!

Talk about money and see what happens. No problems with short-term memory. No forgetfulness
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Re: Cambodian forgetfulness /problems with short-term memory

Post by blerrr9 »

My GF and most people at my office were not forgetful.

Even our helper to clean the office is so diligent and never forget things. She's good.

Especially my GF's brain that she can remember all the things, like the dinner bills, prices, roads, where she put things and etc.

Actually I quite shocked about this topic , since I never experienced it lol

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