There is a cardinal rule in life — do not forget about The Window.
Allow me, if I may, to set the scene. You are a student in a lab, or maybe a math or writing class in which the table set up forces you to face your peers. It has been a few weeks since the semester began, and discussions are generally a prominent component of class. Whether it is commentary on work, or struggling together to complete a calculus problem, progression comes paired with some level of discussion. And if you have the type of teacher that encourages extroverted conversations, there may be an unspecified requirement to exchange words with those around you. The most terrifying issue from this may occur if you are asked to write down the names of others on a worksheet. But it’s been so long since class started, the cringe level itself of asking them for their names would be astronomical. This complication is a consequence of forgetting about The Window.
“What is The Window?” you may ask in a state of perplexion. Perhaps you are an extrovert, or someone with a good memory and therefore have never faced it. Or maybe you are just playing along with what I am saying, who am I to tell? Well, The Window — of opportunity as most describe it — is a limited period during which you can commit certain actions. Consider the scenario above. There are multiple topics that can fit in The Window. The exchange of phone numbers. The columniation of the table groups. The fixation of your unofficial, official seat. And, most importantly, the memorization of names. If you do not conduct these actions within the short period of The Window, well friend, you are screwed.
I learned about The Window from two sources. Firstly — the general experience of life. Secondly — an episode from the Cartoon Network produced show, “The Amazing World of Gumball.” Yes, it is a children’s cartoon, but the comedic dialogue is gold and hilarious for all ages. Throughout this episode, the main characters Gumball and Darwin avoid their neighbor, whom they have lived next to for their entire lives but do not know the name of. When Darwin proposes they simply approach their neighbor, Gumball’s response to the suggestion summarizes The Window problem —
“Are you insane? Are you forgetting about the window?” Gumball says, “I’m talking about the brief window of opportunity where it’s socially acceptable to ask someone what their name is. After the third time you’ve met someone, that window closes and every time you see them after that, the window gets another lock on it, another bolt, another shutter.”
So back to our metaphorical situation in which our metaphorical student has found themselves regularly interacting with peers on a level that they can say they are acquaintances but would absolutely not speak to each other outside of class. The lack of taking advantage of The Window has led to a status of awkwardness, in which our poor introvert must use language such as “hey” and “excuse me” to catch the attention of others, hoping that the targeted individual will respond instead of another due to the lack of name specification. There is no solution, no escape. Luckily if you are in a subject of science, technology, engineering or math, no serious consequences may arise from the bolted window. But, if you are in some form of liberal arts, your class experience might as well be one hellish icebreaker.
You may, as I found myself on the first day of a writing class, be required to break out into groups and discuss your life with others. The thought alone is repulsive. Once returning to a unified class, the teacher may say words that cause the blood to run from your face — “Let’s go around in a circle and say something about someone in your group.” The absolute horror. The Window is closed. It’s too late for you. There is no excuse to not know the names of at least one person in your group, you literally just spoke to them! So you panic. You're spiraling. Snap out of it! What do you do? Fixate on the only person you vaguely remember information about, and hope that pointing to them serves enough of an introduction. And, if you have my level of luck, someone else in your group before you in line will introduce that person, leaving you to scramble at the last minute and stutter through vague baloney about a different group member.
Let this be a warning, dear reader, do not forget about The Window.
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