Episode 009: A Conversation with Nuntinee “Nun” Tan [Part I]

We Belong Everywhere with Reggie Black

Coffee helps move any conversation forward, but in this particular case it stopped one for a very long time. Nuntinee Tan (who prefers to be called Nun) and Reggie Black visited Ceresia Coffee Roasters everyday at the same time for months. Nun was always focused on her work, but Reggie knew there was something intriguing about her ethic. Nun and Reggie worked similar hours, but never introduced themselves to each other. One day, a conversation eventually took place between Nun and Reggie and what they discovered about each other mind blowing. They wanted to further the conversation and decided to have coffee in the Courtyards at The Commons.

Nun is creating work that is definitely not "in line with the Thai culture." As Nun states it, the objective of her work is “to get people to have more in-depth conversations and be more open about themselves, and speak their opinions instead of just agreeing with everything.” Nun creates interesting experiences that are formed by cultural juxtapositions to spark more conversations. Through short films, focus groups, comedy, and even games, Nun is redesigning approaches for Thai people to have conversations. With a background in Consumer Research, and being in charge of Communications for TEDx Bangkok, Nun enters this work with a wealth of knowledge and has an expansive vision for her project.

Growing up in Bangkok and then moving to England as a teenager helped Nun developed this love for human interaction, and she continues to explore the possibilities even if things are not aligned with what she wants to offer the world. Those who have participated in Nun’s work calls it “some sort of therapy.”

Nun is very aware that this work is not something that you an bring up in the living room or raise for an open discuss around the dinner table. Therefore, she’s doing everything she can to make it more inviting for everyone to be included.

Ultimately, Nun wants to pull out as much of life’s context as possible. Nun stunned me with this quote: “When you’re asked to form an opinion it forces you think about what you really think.” We also discussed introvert and extravert qualities, handwriting, overthinking and more. This a three part series. One of Three. Contact: Nuntinee Tan