Like us on Facebook
The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Brenda Cox
Genre: True Confession
Word Count: 100
SQUARE EYES
Binge watching has become one of my guiltiest pleasures. I confess, I’m a streaming junkie. Through the magic of Netflix and other platforms I’ve been around the world without leaving my room.
My favorites are films from Israel, South Korea, and Japan.
I have become adept at reading subtitles for I eschew dubbing, preferring the actual voices and intonations. Not to mention I’ve picked up a few words here and there.
Chalk it up as a learning experience.
You may ask. What else have I learned?
Across the globe, in our hearts, we are more alike than we are different.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
That is a great idea. To watch in original language and learn from it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Sadje,
I’m afraid it’s gotten to be something of an obsession. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
But I think if you enjoy it, there’s no harm in it.
You’re welcome ☺️
LikeLike
It’s true what you say. We are one species. And yet, there’s a different world inside every head
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Neil,
A different world within each head is true within each country. And don’t we see it here in the States? (and that’s all I have to say about that.)
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
My husband and I love Extraordinary Attorney Woo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Trish,
I just caught it on YouTube that a second season is in the offing. Should be out next year. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
So agree with you here. I would say about 60% of our viewing is in a different language, and about 50% of that is in Scandinavian languages. The other 50% is French, German and Spanish which helps me practice my fast fading skills. Well said!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Sandra,
The Hebrew dramas help me along with my language skills and the Spanish ones when I catch a good one. Thank you so much for your kind comment. It means a lot.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
The world is open to us in a way that it never has been before. I am not a binge watcher of anything (I don’t watch TV. Ever), but can see the appeal in that international mix. Perhaps if more did that type of watching and saw that we are all just people after all, there would be a little less xenophobia out there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Trent,
I’m impressed that you don’t watch TV. I don’t watch a lot of network TV but I do enjoy my international shows. It gives me glimpses into different cultures and traditions. Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
It has opened up a whole new world – there’s so much now I can’t keep up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Iain,
I know what you mean. So many shows. So little time. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Way back in the day, I took many foreign film classes and they were always subtitled. With practice, you can read the subtitles fast enough to not miss any of the action on the screen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear James,
I guess you could call it a mini speed reading class. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
I find subtitles for content in English helps me. I seem to take more in. The accessibility to content from around the globe is a gift for modern times.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Tannille,
I agree that global content is a gift. For me it’s the closest thing to world travel I’ll acheive. 😉 (Save a couple of trips to Israel).
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
You slayed it with the last line.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Reena. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never thought of doing that. Guess what I’m going to try this evening!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Keith,
Enjoy! I love global entertainment. Of course there are few British shows I’ve watched as well. I mean who doesn’t love “Downton Abbey” or “Call the Midwife?”
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
This is a great idea. In Germany, most movies and all series come dubbed and it is often horrible. I prefer watching english-speaking films and series, to keep me somewhat fluent. And yes, we are one species, most of our differences are cultural. Lovely story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Gabi,
There’s something to be said about inflection in the original language that is missed in the dubbing. My husband prefers dubbing because he doesn’t like to have to read. But what always shines out from those programs and films is the human condition. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen to that last sentiment, Rochelle. I’m glad you’re enjoying the experience. I’ve enjoyed a lot of dubbed versions, although you do have to work extra hard to suspend disbelief sometimes – whatever works.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Jen,
When I watch foreign films with my husband I have to endure the dubbing as he doesn’t like having to read. What shines through, whether dubbed or subtitled, is the emotions and desires that are common to us all. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
We are human first. Nationalities and religions and affiliations and tribes, second. We are, indeed, more alike than different, and most differences are an artificial amplification of minor or manufactured differences. At least in my view. Well written, Rochelle! xx Na’ama
LikeLiked by 1 person
Na’ama Y’karah,
I’m glad that message came through in my story. Perhaps if people traveled more and took the time to know one another…sigh. “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. Perhaps someday you’ll join us and the world will live as one.” 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
One of my favorite songs, that! And, no, you are not the only one … because I’m one, too! So there are at least TWO of us dreamers … xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I certainly agree that we, as a whole, are more alike than we are different.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Jan,
As one who’s traveled the globe I know you know this to be true. 😉
LikeLike
Dear Rochelle,
I am with you on eschewing dubbing. It annoys me to no end. And how wonderful are all these series from elsewhere? It is so nice to get other perspectives, isn’t it?
Shalom and lotsa binged love,
Dale
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Dale,
I love the cultural exchanges we have. If a person is willing, they can learn so much by just getting to know someone on the other side of the world. Or even their next door neighbor. Okay, stepping off the soapbox to say,
Shalom and lotsa diversified hugs,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
As do I. Yes, if only people broadened their horizons a bit… sigh…
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s all too easy to become addicted!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is indeed, Liz.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
We certainly are more alike than different. Donn and I rarely watch TV. Not sure why so we haven’t gotten addicted to binge-watching. On the other hand, we may be missing out on a lot of good shows.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Lish,
Perhaps you and Donn have more of a life than the rest of us. 😉 Glad you caught the main message of my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Love this story, Rochelle, and totally connect with it. I am a streaming junkie also and also have similar viewing habits. Not sure if you have seen, “Midnight Diner” yet, but it is one heck of a good show set in Tokyo. It’s on Netflix.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Lisa,
I think Midnight Diner might be on my list. I haven’t watched it yet but it does look interesting. Glad you enjoyed and connect with the main message. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rochelle, you are very welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
LikeLike
How true. If only we could always remember that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If only indeed, Athling. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Very nice and loving sentiment, Rochelle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Nancy.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Querida Rochelle,
You sound like my hubby. He is a binge watcher too.
Guess who’s sitting right next to him … me LOL
We both enjoy reading the subtitles. The spanish films
are a bit risqué but love listening to the language. It’s a
good way to keep the ears sharp. Fun post this week, mi amiga.
Abrazos y Carino,
Isadora 😎 ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Querida Isadora,
I love it that Al’s a binge watcher, too. I’ve no plans to recover from my addiction. 😉 Gracias mi amiga.
Shalom y abrazos,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t think Al is interested in anything except relaxing in his recliner as he watches one thing after another. Well … maybe, a few books at a time too. He reads two or three at a time. 🙄 The pleasures of being retired. 😆
LikeLike
Interesting, and this is true? Your eyes are WAY better than mine!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dawn.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, the world is a small place so why do people think it belongs to them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Correction …why do some people think it belongs to them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear James,
Wouldn’t you love to hear an answer to that question. On the other hand you might not have the intestinal fortitude for their reasoning. Thank you for catching the meaning to my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love and absolutely agree with your last sentence; we are more alike than different! I also do not like dubbing and much prefer reading subtitles to get the proper flow of what I’m watching. I’m a streaming junkie too. I’ve found that for shows I have to wait a week to see the next episode, I now get very impatient (haha). Nice story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Brenda,
I understand the impatience. I never watched Blue Bloods until year before last when I binged all the seasons to the presence. Now, like everyone else I have to wait for the next season. I am impatient. Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
I love this. I still remember entering my mom’s house in the early 1990s and hearing a strange language. I found my mom in the kitchen watching Korean dramas with subtitles. This was before streaming, but in NYC the local public station had programming in different languages at different times. English is my husband’s second language, so he watches everything with closed captioning, which he says helps him understand English better. I’ve gotten used to watching everything with subtitles. Have you watched the Korean Drama, “Reply 1988,” on Netflix? It is one of 3 in a series but is my favorite. I highly recommend it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Michele,
I’ve watched quite a few K-dramas but not Reply 1988. I’ll look it up. Thank you.
Nice that English is your husband’s second language. I envy the truly bilingual. I work at it but I’m still mainly an English speaker.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
This!
All of this.
I totally agree, Rochelle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Laurie! 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
“we are more alike than we are different.” Yes, absolutely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Brit,
If only we could focus on our similarities and learn to appreciate our differences. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s so good to be able to access films from all over. I too can’t abide those that are dubbed. And I also agree 100% with you about our common humanity.. Well said.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Margaret,
It’s nice to know I’m in such glad company re dubbing. 😀 Thank you re my story and its core message.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike