Speak Up, Sir

I've officially made an "American" of myself for the first time. While discussing society and it's possible influences on the individual, my SOC 211 teacher asked if there was anyone from The States present in the class. After remaining cool and sizing up the situation, I grew excited when I realized that I was, in fact, the only American in the room! What a cool feeling to be the absolute outsider, the diamond in the rough. I raised my hand slowly and cooly, ordering myself harshly NOT to make stupid American out of myself. I felt as if I was a cultural ambassador upon whom all would judge the mental capacity of my home country. The teacher acknowledged me, smiled, and proceeded to ask me a few questions concerning differences I've noticed between New Zealanders and Americans in regards to interpersonal communication. After considering, I gave him a fairly intelligent answer in a clear and concise format. When all was said and done, I breathed a small sigh of relief, happy that I didn't let my country down. The teacher smiled, paused for a moment, and then said to the class, "Now, who can tell me the difference between how I'm talking and how he's talking?" Almost instantly, four hands went up. I was completely at a loss as to what the answer might be, other than the obvious accent. Perhaps this was the point he was about to make? The teacher selected a hand. "He's a bit louder than you..." said a girl in the front. "Yes, thank you," said the teacher, "on the whole, Kiwis are much more soft spoken than Americans, who tend to come off a bit louder in the classroom and in social settings. When I travel to New York, I often feel myself having to yell in order to be heard." After assuring me that he wasn't bringing my way of communication DOWN in any way, and thanking me for volunteering, the professor went on with his lecture. I was stunned. Despite my grandest efforts, I had completely played into an American stereotype without even realizing or apprehending it. I was half shocked and half...actually sort of amused. The teacher KNEW that I would prove his point before he even met me or acknowledged me chiefly because of the society that I grew up in. It didn't wildly offend me or leave me feeling ridiculed, as the teacher handled it respectfully, but it certainly put me in my place and spurred my awareness of myself and how I act on a global, sociological scale. Already I'm beginning to learn more about different ways of living and communicating, especially noting how my own ways of life relate to New Zealand and the rest of the world. Incidentally, I did a reading on Freud for this class an hour or so ago and he's probably one of the most interesting people I've ever read. It's going to be a very enlightening course, I'm sure. 

I'll probably have another archival account up tomorrow,

Bill