So You Want To Know More About Me— #1 May
TBIN May Interview Questions
A few weeks ago I had an interview that started with:
How would you describe yourself?
That’s a standard question, right? Well, I hate it. I hate questions. Actually, I hate questions about myself. I’ve spent my entire life deflecting them as if I was on my best moves in a boxing fight.
Here’s the honest answer to the opening question:
I don’t describe myself.
I know, it seems rude. But it’s true. I always try to know more about the person who’s questioning me before unveiling who I am. Apart from when I’m writing. That’s the only way of knowing something personal about me if you’re not among my strictest friends.
Yesterday, while I was walking back home, Medium served me Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她)’s recap of the May interviews in The Brain is a Noodle. I read some of them and they just felt so cute that I decided to give it a try.
I mean, even if a question punches you in the face, it can’t hurt that bad, right?
[1] What did you like to do most when you were 10? They say that this hobby is likely what brings you the most joy in life — is this something you still do?
Singing. That’s how I learned English, actually. At my parent’s home, I stored dozens of notebooks full of song lyrics that I handwrote. I translated most of them to understand what my idols were saying.
I’d say both listening to music and translating from English to Italian had been huge components of my life. As for the first one, I grew up listening to tons of music. To this day, I spend at least 3 hours daily with my headphones on and new tunes streaming. As for the second one, I’ve been subtitling Tv Shows and Movies for over 7 years.
Finally, two years ago I took some singing lessons. It happened after I won a karaoke challenge in a pub. My friends secretly enrolled me in the competition and I was stunned that people liked my voice. Unfortunately, it didn’t last. My teacher and I didn’t connect. She wanted my voice to be less raw and I felt uncomfortable with it, so I just left.
[2] What genres do you write? Why do you choose to write with these types of structures? What’s attractive about them?
I never know what I will write about. I like personal essays, social issues, and pop culture. Writing these types of stories helps me sharpen my thoughts. It also compels me to fact-checking in a way that improves my knowledge of the topic.
I also enjoy writing humor, which is something new to me.
I’m okay with any genre that makes me feel free to express myself without being bound to rules.
[3] What’s your all-time favourite childhood TV show?
Gilmore Girls. Hands down. I admire Amy Sherman-Palladino’s and Daniel Palladino's dialogues. They’re fast, funny, full of meta-reference. It’s rap music: there’s no space for emptiness unless silence is in there to communicate something.
I detest both Lorelai and Rory, but that’s a different story.
[4] Pick one sense and tell us about the most relaxing thing you do in relation to that sense.
Taste. Chocolate.
I rest my case.
[5] Who is someone you want to connect more with this month? How might you go about doing this?
My best friend. She’s pregnant and I haven't been able to visit her in one year. I’ve also been pretty distant, due to personal issues. I will try to surprise her by driving to Tuscany on June’s bank holidays.
This or that?
Bold your choice!
- olive oil or butter
- e-books or physical books
- libraries or bookstores
- noodles or rice
- messy desk or organized desk
Articles to share
Your top viewed article on Medium
A poem
A piece where you bare your heart
A piece that is longer than 3 mins
An article from your favourite writer: I love Bev Potter’s humor
And thank you Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她) for paving my way towards getting along with questions.
