Oh it’s definitely cultural. I know someone who travels between Italy and Boston for work and commented on the difference in seating choice in the trains in Boston and Italy. In Boston people come on the train and choose the seat as far from whoever is already seated as possible. So seats fill up in sort of a checkerboard pattern. In Italy it’s the opposite apparently. People get on a virtually empty train and sit right next to the one guy who is already seated and strike up a conversation. So the train filled out from one central point and spread out from there.
Being from Boston, which has to be the most uptight part of the country there is - and from the suburbs to boot - I’m very reserved. However I got over the stranger-danger reaction by working in a city hospital - which is about as multicultural an environement as you can get. You just learn that some people are friendly and open with strangers, and will talk to you like you’re their best friend out of nowhere. It’s actually something to appreciate.
Your attitude seems to be that they should learn your rules, which is not an invalid point. My attitude is difference is good. And even if not good, inevitable. If you go out in public it will happen.
Mr Sasparilla, I’m the sort of person who would do this. If I’m at a restaurant that I’m unfamiliar with I often ask the waiter(ress) what something is or sometimes just ask the person eating it if the food looks tasty or smells tasty. I think it’s a function of traveling a great deal. I’m often eating alone and eating at unfamiliar places. I’m always game for new food and when out and about I do talk to strangers.
I would have asked what you were eating, was it good and then thanked you. For the record I would not have asked to taste them
Hey uglybeech, I reread what I said the other day and you’re right, I wasn’t exactly uplifting the discourse. Bad day, took a lot of attitude. I need to get a handle on my mood before I post. Sorry for being an ass.
