Seeing sounds

Ever felt like you’re watching something and the sound plays in your head even before you actually hear it, if at all you do.

Photo by Suraj Suryawanshi on Unsplash

I’m talking about the hiss of steam from the teapot, the anticipated clink of the teaspoon on the cup, the “phoo phoos” when someone is trying to cool down the drink with gusts of air pumping out of their lungs.

Our brain is wired since childhood to code certain experiences to certain feelings. The five senses. You go near a fire and your skin starts tensing even before the heat reaches it. You see a football coming towards you and your muscles tighten to protect your body much before the ball lands.

These are defence mechanisms of sorts and experiential cues as well.

Yesterday I was writing a social media post for International Tea Day, and this thought came to me. Common experiences with tea, in terms of sounds, translated into words we would speak to convey the same:

Phooo

Translation: I refuse to wait for it to cool down.

Slurp

Translation: This tea was made with love.

Aaaah

Translation: That first sip fixed the mood.

Tink tink

Translation: Work can wait two minutes.

I’m sure there’s a whole bunch of behavioral psychology theories associated with all of this. But I just thought I’d pen down my observations if they make any sense at all. Oh, and good morning to you.