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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?

"I don't remember" is generally just an excuse for shirking responsibility and being lazy and/or slack.

Arsenic

Though 'forgot', 'don't know', 'don't understand', 'don't have' are also excuses for inaction, as JB says

but why is it that important to do nothing? As in being too lazy to reach for a drawer?

I think it's probably a disease endemic to the region, although I suspect the onset is quite slow. I have been here over twenty years and now I am starting to be affected by the same condition! Er what was your question again

curiosity wrote: ↑Mon Apr 08, 2019 9:17 pm but why is it that important to do nothing? As in being too lazy to reach for a drawer?

Sometimes part apathy, part resentment
Sometimes miscommunication, but embarrassment or refusal to admit it

Kuroneko wrote: ↑Mon Apr 08, 2019 9:19 pm I think it's probably a disease endemic to the region, although I suspect the onset is quite slow. I have been here over twenty years and now I am starting to be affected by the same condition! Er what was your question again

Almost right. I did hear a rumour it was related to dietary deficiency as a child hindering brain development. protein and or certain essential minerals not common locally.
is there a doctor in the house who can shed some light on this perhaps?

To remember, in the situation you describe, one must be consciously paying attention to the choice they have made about an item. If just clearing space visually, the focus is on the end result (clear surface) not on actually putting things away. Why remember in that case?

Normally Papa does all the thinking in a family. He takes the load and responsibility off others so they don't bust their ass thinking.

"is there a doctor in the house who can shed some light on this perhaps?"

I am not a doctor but I know the answer.
However no way I am going to talk about it here - 'cos I just know it will give some people another reason to be bar-room experts and start spouting crap like - "All Cambodians are stupid because they have a ****-deficient diet."

(Not that my opinion is worth anything - but I reckon there is a far higher average of mentally mucked-up people on this forum than in the general Cambodian population)

Another answer to V's question could be; Maybe they just don't give two hoots about the same things that are important to V.