Culture Clash

Last night, I stopped by the coffee shop in the Student Learning Center before my class to get a giant cup of coffee. I placed my order, and tried to get out of line and go to the pick-up area, but these three people wouldn't move. I somehow got around them, but was ticked off.

I went to wait for my white chocolate coffee creation when one of the guys in the group pushed me out of the way. I was in shock. The girl then reached in front of my face and grabbed a straw, nearly hitting my face. All the while they talked very loudly in a different language. I was so confused. I had been blocked, pushed and nearly hit.

Is this just a part of some people's culture? They were all talking very loudly in what I think was Japanese. Do some cultures have a different idea of personal space? I chalked it up to that and didn't say a word.

So, I cleared my head and sat down a few minutes before class. This military guy in my class just sat there and talked on the phone very loudly. He was clearly having a personal conversation, and it was making everyone uncomfortable. It wasn't that he was talking about something private, but it was just annoying. You couldn't help but hear him talking.

Why do some people have varying ideas of rudeness? I was so annoyed by this point that I got up and knocked part of my coffee over. I cleaned up the mess and then my class began a lively discussion of ethics.

My teacher asked if someone could be immoral, but ethical. I offered that Bill Clinton was immoral, but was ethical in many of his decisions as President, since he acted in a way that was intended to better humanity.

My professor then said Bill Clinton was right up there with NASA to her - that she couldn't stand either. I was shocked, as she is clearly socialist in many of her ideas, so I know she's not hard core Republican. Was Clinton not liberal enough for her? I was confused, exhausted and over-caffeinated. I hate disagreening with teachers in public. Call me chicken.

I just smiled and was relieved it was time for a break. Surely all my politeness will get me somewhere one day. I am opinionated, but I have learned that people are much more responsive if you say what you have to say with a smile.

Furthermore, I don't believe any of these people are originally from the South. And that says volumes...

;)