It was here at Mediterranean Grill that my friend and I encountered a woman who very vocally commented on our social behavior. I realized that only in a developed civilized culture do people feel like they can publicly criticize another's behavior. In rural China, no one yells at you for spitting on the ground or bringing your chicken on the bus, a chicken that's not fully tranquilized, one that's jumping all over all the passengers on the bus.
In line, which in rural China, lining up does not yet exist - in the line to order, I was reunited with my friend who I haven't seen in a year. There was a woman who was behind me, who my friend walked past in order to hug me and to begin our reunion. I noticed after we hugged, that the woman began to glare quite fervently in my direction. I shrugged it off as surely, surely as she was very clearly eavesdropping that she would not be begrudging my friend's position with me in line. She did. She bitterly remarked upon my friend's position in line and asked to supersede her in the line. Then, she made even more remarks after my friend gracefully demurred her place. Confused by such social ... the only word I can think of is - awkwardness?, she insulted our manners and then ordered a take-out order for herself.
This instance was no instance at all. With the exception of being incredibly awkward, where I live now has taught me not to sweat the small things and that the people that express their negativity outwardly are people that are undesirable friends!
Exhibit A: Desirable friends!
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| Not in Atlanta: these are my friends in Yunnan! People that you DO want to associate with! |
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