I decided to break the cultural norm of
talking to the people in the restroom stall next to mine. Honestly, I
mainly chose to break this norm because I couldn't think of another
one, but also because I thought it would be entertaining to make
people feel awkward or uncomfortable. When I was in my stall I
carried on a conversation with the girl next to me about her cute
shoes. I asked her where she bought them, how much they cost, and I
made some comments about that particular store having cute clothes.
The first time I told her she had cute shoes she completely ignored
me. After the second time of saying it she realized I was talking to
her and responded. She answered all my questions, but with very short
answers and she never responded to any of my comments. I planned to
tell her about the assignment, but I never got the chance. She rushed
out of the restroom without washing her hands and as she was walking
out I heard her say to her friends, “Oh my gosh. There's this
really weird girl in there who was asking all these really weird
questions about my shoes while I was going pee. Awkward much?”
Thankfully, she never saw my face, so she will never know who I am. Cultural norms are the behavioral
expectations and cues within a society or group. It can also be
defined as "the rules that a group uses for appropriate and
inappropriate values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors. Part of being
a successful teacher has to do with helping students affirm their
cultural differences while helping them realize and respect others
cultures. I think it's important for us to experience what it's like
when we go against the norm. Doing that enables us to understand how
minorities feel and knowing that will help us better relate to them,
whether it's in or out of the classroom.
