So my friends in Missouri have started classes this week. Emails from Lane make it sound like I should be glad to be an ocean away, and indeed, I am. Though I can't help but feel like I'm missing out on the events in Rolla, however torturous they might be.
My classes start sometime next month, probably late in the month, though I don't know exactly when. In general, Spaniards hate making concrete plans, much less plans to go back to work. As the end of summer approaches in August, not a goddamn thing gets done in this country. This is the one aspect of Spanish life that has caused me any "culture shock". Granted, summer is when the "Spanish lifestyle" is at its most sloth-like pace. You can't get anything done or even find out WHEN, if ever, anything will get done.
"That's closed. Everything's closed in August."
"What about next month?"
"What, September? But it's August."
There is also a difference in concept of time. Somehow, a century ago is like yesterday but next week is unforesable. Luckily, I dont have much to get done and neither does anyone else so it's not really been that hard to get used to. All I'm saying is that it's a noticable difference, even to someone as obtuse as I am.
That's another thing, my cousins and their friends often ask me about how things are in the US. They ask specific questions, things I should have probably noticed or been aware of. An example doesn't come to mind right now. Anyway, too often I dont really know how to answer them. I think it has something to do with the fact that in the US I live in a small subculture in a small university in a small town. Unless they ask me about UMR comp scis that live in the TJ dorms and play video games, I come off as amazingly dense.
After a series of such questions, one of Juan P's friends didn't quite believe I've lived all my life in the US. She thought the whole "americano" thing was just for attention. "No, no," I had to expain, "I'm a citizen and everything, born in Texas. I'm just a social retard. A comp sci: a type of hermit."
My classes start sometime next month, probably late in the month, though I don't know exactly when. In general, Spaniards hate making concrete plans, much less plans to go back to work. As the end of summer approaches in August, not a goddamn thing gets done in this country. This is the one aspect of Spanish life that has caused me any "culture shock". Granted, summer is when the "Spanish lifestyle" is at its most sloth-like pace. You can't get anything done or even find out WHEN, if ever, anything will get done.
"That's closed. Everything's closed in August."
"What about next month?"
"What, September? But it's August."
There is also a difference in concept of time. Somehow, a century ago is like yesterday but next week is unforesable. Luckily, I dont have much to get done and neither does anyone else so it's not really been that hard to get used to. All I'm saying is that it's a noticable difference, even to someone as obtuse as I am.
That's another thing, my cousins and their friends often ask me about how things are in the US. They ask specific questions, things I should have probably noticed or been aware of. An example doesn't come to mind right now. Anyway, too often I dont really know how to answer them. I think it has something to do with the fact that in the US I live in a small subculture in a small university in a small town. Unless they ask me about UMR comp scis that live in the TJ dorms and play video games, I come off as amazingly dense.
After a series of such questions, one of Juan P's friends didn't quite believe I've lived all my life in the US. She thought the whole "americano" thing was just for attention. "No, no," I had to expain, "I'm a citizen and everything, born in Texas. I'm just a social retard. A comp sci: a type of hermit."
posted by Brien at
3:02 AM
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