More musings about being back in the US

I realized that my radar may be off, in terms of how much people talk to strangers now. While I was in NY, I was so excited to be able to communicate with (most) people, that I found myself chatting with strangers often and wondered if I was doing so more than I would have before coming to Korea.

A Korean friend and former student once explained to me that if you were to smile at a stranger when getting on an elevator, they'd think you were insane.

Another thing I observed, though not for the first time this trip, is how Americans can be such slobs! Even though I often find Koreans over-dressed and overly concerned with outward appearance and looking like everyone else, I wouldn't mind a little more of that in the States.

Ditto with putting one's feet on the seats in airport waiting areas.