WHO here likes being startled? I guess none. But if it’s the other way around, I think most of us like to startle, be it just for a prank or, wait, I think it’s always a prank.
If you’re on the receiving end, how do you react? Do angry expletives fill the air? Do you jump? Do you roar like a lion?
But what triggers these reactions? Is there a stimulus, or are you just easily startled?
When I have an overdose of caffeine, I jump with just the littlest of noise. A tap on my shoulder, a mere calling of my name, or someone coming up behind me, all of it makes me jumpy.
I have an officemate, though, and let’s hide him in the name of ROW-del. He’s not a coffee drinker but is easily startled. A few days ago, I tapped his shoulder, and he jumped on his feet. Was he electrified?
We have friends in Lagonglong who say indecent words in Bisaya when startled, and they always make us laugh. Some people may find it vulgar, but it’s the Bisaya in us. I find it funny then and always will.
Then there’s what we call the conyo talk. Phrases like, “Oh my gosh!” or “My goodness!” or “Shucks!” or “Shit!” or “F*ck!” Some people would intentionally use these last two words to appear “different,” but the fact is, they mean the same thing with their Bisayan or Tagalog versions.
Those are the common verbal responses when startled. There are also physical reactions.
We react differently to the same instigant. Some freeze, some faint, and some use physical forces.
I remember my cousin, An-an. We were then in high school when we entered XU’s House of Horror. It was pretty tame at the start. We were only screaming. However, when we got to the area where a dead body rose from the coffin, An-an automatically punched the dead body. Then we ran as fast as we could, oblivious to the ghosts around, since the dead person was furious.
That incident reached my brother’s ears, and he informed us we were banned.
How we react to being startled is caused by our current emotional state, our personality, and how we are wired. The food we eat or the beverages that we drink are factors that can also play a role. While some people remain composed, others may stay composed with their eyebrows raised.
Who are you among those mentioned, or do you have another factor?
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