SERIOUSLY why do Kenyan women act like MUTES during interviews: videos

Because they know their place in society.

^Ignorance

WHY ARE AMERICANS ALWAYS SO DAMN LOUD AND IN YOUR FACE! SHUT UP AND QUIET DOWN, IT'S PATHETIC.

Stupidity Sideline is your place, Smelly.

IIRC, Edna Kiplagat did pretty well in the post-New York interview. She understood the questions asked to her better than Haile or Paul Tergat did at their NYC press conferences. Those guys often answer a whole different question and nobody calls them out on it because they're top dogs. Kiplagat actually answered her questions pretty darn accurately. Also, Kiplagat lives in Colorado. She's pretty well acclimated to English and the American way of things.

I was hoping that someone had some real insight or knew enough Kenyans to have a mature response. It seems that all the top female Kenyans have a problem speaking up and acting so darn shy. Most have been in the spotlight and you would think after years in front of cameras and numerous interviews they could increase the volume when they speak? Ethiopia is a country not too far away from Kenya and same in economic status and their women don't have a problem speaking up in front of cameras.

Bad interviews are the fault of the interviewer, not the fault of the person being interviewed.

The interviewers failed. You might clearly understand their questions. You should never assume someone from a foreign country understands what they are being asked.

Pump your brakes Buster. The women speak good English and after looking at the tapes they understand the questions. For whatever reason they refuse to speak loud enough to be heard clearly. I'm also baffled as they're very intelligent and well spoken so why not speak up?

It is a KENYAN thing, not a Kenyan women-only thing. Mark Kiptoo is typical of this:

http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/235412/video/351760-get-to-know-mark-kiptoo-before-2010-london-diamond-league

Probably considered rude to be forceful in speaking in certain (esp rural) areas where runners are from.

Please post links to some of these confident, outspoken, Ethiopian ladies that you are referring to.

The first video, she is looking at the interviewer like "What?" She did not understand what he asked her. To him the question was clear. To her it seems to have some off as something not worthy of a response.

Do NOT blame this on the interviewers. I'm willing to concede there is some cultural reason for it, but Linet Masai is so softspoken as to be inaudible and Keitany simply barely says a word and what words she does say are inaudible. Race directors deserve better for their investments in these people, and agents should stress media training. Honestly, the the public relations value of having folks who just will not be interviewed at your races is negligible, and "general interest" media have no patience for this kind of thing.

OP, if I'm not mistaken, your "2&3" link is also to Masai.

I always thought the Kenyan women appeared too shy to be normal. During most of the interviews I have seen the interviewer speaks in audible tone but the Kenyan women who are just as close to the microphone speak in whispers. WTF?

The Ethiopian women aren't like that

Tirunesh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MisLXiDYFo&feature=related

Meseret

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tutIZeeJaTs&feature=related

Kenya is still extremely conservative when it comes to a woman's place in society. Most families will only grudgingly let girls/women compete in athletics instead of marrying and starting a family. Thus, women from Kenya are very reserved and soft spoken as to not sound like they are flaunting traditional Kenyan mores about women.

Things are different in Ethiopia. Most of the elite women train in the capital, Addis. Female athletes are seen as figures in women's liberation in Ethiopia. Thus, Ethiopian women do not feel like they need to be reserved when in the public.

Compare those two with Hilda Kibet and Lornah Kiplagat... now throw in some upcoming Ethiopian ladies...

So they don't end up like Lara Logan?

P. Roy

After alittle investigation of looking at various videos I think you are correct. The Ethiopian women and even the former Kenyan women Hilda Kibet and Lornah Kiplagat all speak loud and clear with confidence. The Kenyan women even though once you do actually hear them are very intelligent but for culture reasons they speak in whispers.

former Kenyans

Hilda Kibet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R10oL5uonBA

Lornah Kiplagat

http://www.flotrack.org/speaker/8010-lornah-kiplagat/video/340535-lornah-kiplagat-after-the-nyrr-mini

Both former Kenyans once out of their former countries culture now speak with volume and isn't afraid to show confidence.

McMillianConv wrote:

P. Roy

After alittle investigation of looking at various videos I think you are correct. The Ethiopian women and even the former Kenyan women Hilda Kibet and Lornah Kiplagat all speak loud and clear with confidence. The Kenyan women even though once you do actually hear them are very intelligent but for culture reasons they speak in whispers.

former Kenyans

Hilda Kibet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R10oL5uonBA

Lornah Kiplagat

http://www.flotrack.org/speaker/8010-lornah-kiplagat/video/340535-lornah-kiplagat-after-the-nyrr-mini

Both former Kenyans once out of their former countries culture now speak with volume and isn't afraid to show confidence.

Lornah is married to a English speaking Dutch man, probably helps. All of these women speak English very well and are very intelligent, I think it is pure shyness and modesty.