Cultural Curiosities - Snapshots

* “I stood in line behind an older couple. I swear, they carried on a conversation for at least an hour, all in body language.” C.K.

* An argument between a middle aged man and older lady about what they thought the group should do the next day: go watch a football game, or go site seeing. Why an argument? “The Romanians stay with each other and go everywhere together.” C.W.

* “Ah Romania. Where there’s dog poop on the sidewalks and people walk in the streets. Where house cats are all “kitty”, but street dogs all have names.” D.F.

* I waited over an hour on the street while my Romanian friends shopped in three or four expensive stores. They “tsk tsked” about the prices, but eventually all bought something. By then I was starving, and led them to a small, inexpensive restaurant for sandwiches. They came in and looked at the menu above the serving counter. I ordered. Then they said to me, “We have to leave. It’s too expensive here. We’re going to find a cheaper place.” I’ve followed Romanians before when I was faint with hunger and after many hours I was not a pretty sight. So I was not going to traipse around a strange city with a group of Romanians while they discussed what to do. I said, “I already ordered. I’m hungry. I’m going to stay here and eat. Send someone back here in half an hour to get me.” They left, but sat outside, ordering coffee and brownies, and waiting for me. Sigh.

*A man and woman work together on a project; an older woman calls them pigeons: “lovers”. Everyone else giggles. This feels so unprofessional, so adolescent to me.