Stuff People Say 2013: Architecture (alt title: 5 MONTHS OVERDUE)

Remember that thing I do at the start of (pretty much) every year. The one where I get everyone to, well... you can read the rest.

This time, it's my old architecture studio from Sem 1. They're pretty awesome.

Here goes...

Some people think that I'm chill, lazy, loud/arrogant, not confident, hardworking? and other fun stuff.
When you see words in italics, it's my own comments along with their "as far as possible" direct quotes.

From the design assignments can tell you don't really follow the crowd. Like how you use paper like wood when most other people are doing origami. Presentation isn't a problem for you. – Jialing

Chill

"Very chill …You don't look like you are stressed out by deadlines even if you say there are many things you haven't done...you always seem so chill even hours before deadlines I admit I was hopping around my house when I realised my printer was out of ink that time, but you sounded so composed on the phone. Oh and you are quite blank when you are sleepy."

I was actually not registering what she said in my head when she called me 1 hour before deadline... because I was asleep when she called. Surprisingly, this happens pretty often, since JC i think.

Lazy

"fucking lazy, [incident] where u had about 2-3 hours before crit and you decided to sleep instead of touching up your work"

This is the one where he actually told me all this stuff verbally, so I couldn't quote word for word. Not to sound like a bitch, but in my defence, I saw sleep as better prep because we needed to present our work so it was better to clean yourself up, mentally and physically, before standing in front of judging eyes. Different perspectives.

Loud/Arrogant/Straightforward
This will forever and always be the most popular + consistent criticism of me. Haha.

"With regards to people, you really come off as the guy who doesn't give a fuck. There are guys who are socially inept and they can't really differentiate or whatever for certain situations. You are the guy who knows what you are doing and just do whatever the fuck you want, in his face, just to guai lan people

still loud(haha) [after first impression]. but also confident and self-motivated. very resourceful and dedicated."

"You have an arrogant expression that some team leaders or bosses may not akin to during interviews or discussions."

It's fun to hear. Arguably, one of the first actual consequence of my natural expression on my face.

"very loud, brash, angry type of person. maybe wanted to sign on so can shout at recruits every day."

"Like you don't beat around the bush when you want to say something."

"ur a straightforward person to me thats a good thing tho.." 

"You have a rather straight personality"

Not Confident

"One caveat is that I think you could be a bit more confident about your ideas. Don't just ask people about them but practice presenting to them instead of assuming they know because sometimes your ideas are good but you don't angle it properly in a way that really satisfies the requirements."

"as time progresses, you exude a below average level of confidence that will work against you during evaluation cos’ you feel you are not good enough compared to the rest. Sometimes when u know you are at a disadvantage, theres no need to reveal or ‘showhand’. Do it only to yr good friends/buddies.

"ok, not as bad as you think you are. drawing also not as bad as you think you are, sketches are terrible though. drawings are not bad (emphasized)"

I really like this set because those are 3 sets of different criticisms directed at different things, but yet pointing to the same problem.

Hardworking?
This made the least sense to me

"A hardworking person who does not give up the fight easily. Pls keep it that way and not accept average work as the norm….within allocated time. Somehow, I hv the feeling you need to listen to your friends more….i do not know why I have that feeling, but its gut feel. You need to develp the soft creative aspect of design…ie. Flair" 

This also didn't make sense

"I think you are a intelligent guy, very confident, calm and helpful. This impression has been very consistent throughout;)"

Some Interpersonal Stuff

"... we have pretty different backgrounds and characters but I appreciate you accommodating differences (I saw the way you related to your group mates) and I think we would complement each other from a work perspective if we ever got the chance in the future."

"I think you treat people well. I havent seen you having any unfounded prejudice against anybody nor are you in the habit of dissing other people. I appreciate that."

"you probably make friends easily? and you're the type who will readily help people. but be careful to not come across too arrogant ('cos you're loud)."

General Misc Comments

"I thought you were a little beng actually because you were sitting rather unglamly at the table that yong marked as hers before studio started. So I guess that impression came from the way you sat"

"when u debate about things u can get very worked up suddenly lol maybe could try and talk calmly instead of getting kinda agitated."

"A person who thinks about what people say and not follow blindly. Helpful. Chill."

"Learn from your friends who are good at that [design work in general]" 

On the whole, the comments (all of them) tend to go off in different trajectories (sometimes conflicting) so it's hard to really zoom in on anything in particular

Honorable Mentions

"slippers are dangerous. what if someone slams a door on your foot..."

"okay lah there is no way i would say you are the kind of person who will just take other people's T square and never return since i got my T square back."

"wake up more easily!"

"As for advice, I would like to say that u might try to be a bit less serious sometimes and smile more, both in your interactions with pple and during presentations. You'll turn out to be even more charming person :D"