This may be a good time to mention that Monday night in Leicester is the biggest student night at all the clubs. Free entry with student ID at Liquid and Zanzibar. Since I had yet to partake, I decided to try it out last night. I debated with myself as to whether or not I should blog before going out, but I had more confidence in my energy than I perhaps should have. So what happened to Day 25? It turned into morning of Day 26 a little too quickly.
Since I don't want to bore you with the usual report of reading, lectures, laundry, etc. I'm going to drop some knowledge instead, so watch your feet when you get up. I've been people watching a lot here, around town and on campus. I've made a few social observations that I feel are not snap judgments, but the result of open-minded study.
First, chivalry is not dead here in England. I have hardly opened a door for myself since coming to this country, but especially in Leicester. There have even been a few times when men have insisted on giving me their seat on the bus. It's nice.
Second, people don't hug here. They just don't. The only public displays of affection I have seen are between couples. On campus I see cliques of friends all over the place, but no hugging. No high fives either, or hand shakes, or cheek kisses. It's kind of sad.
Third, English students absolutely hate speaking up in class. It's one of the reasons that presentations are required in every seminar. My ancient history professor says it has something to do with their fear of getting the wrong answer. It can be quite a problem in seminars when the instructor is asking questions to the class over and over again. So awkward. I don't have a problem with sharing my thoughts, but I also don't want to seem like the teacher's pet.
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7 comments:
Vans:
You are my hero. There are multiple reasons for this.
#1. You have ridiculous blogging stamina,considering you are abroad and could be doing much cooler things with your time than filling in all of us back home. I applaud your consistency and lively tone.
#2. It sounds like you are doing some truly amazing things, (example, your research) and meeting amazing people and I am very proud of you. Your career will definitely benefit from this experience and obviously you're having lots of fun too.
Much love, Elizacat
What's wrong with being the teacher's pet? Unless maybe that means being a lizard.
Cool observations!
Two of those observations are not surprising, but the third is. I might expect the chivalry, and I would have been surprised to see American pop culture hugs and high fives.
But not speaking up in class is a surprise to me. I think of the English as bold, brassy, proud, and self-determining. My English students studying abroad in Lawrence were no less vocal than their American counterparts. Go figure.
I'm very proud of your blogging stamina, too. Should we expect blogs from Rome? We were Blogless in Sandy last night, and it felt like a lifetime. . . .
Love, k
BTW #1:
We have an Obama sign in the yard and Obama buttons on our clothes;
BTW #2:
Hillary is in SLC this weekend and we will be there;
BTW #3:
According to some polls, Obama has opened a two-digit lead.
L (again), k
Both Kenn and Elizacat said most of what I would have said, but I'll add that I'll more than make up for the lack of physical affection between British friends once you get home.
Obama might be on Saturday Night Live this Saturday, so if you can watch that online you should, and we have many campaign signs in our room, and Julia has an Obama sign in her window.
Cheers.
I can understand the not speaking up in class thing. I think it probably stems from a long standing tradition of being as someone else said "bold, brassy, proud, and self-determining." well really the pride part. Nothing hurts the pride more than being bold and brassy in front of a group of peers only to be torn down by the prof....
i would die without hugging people. interesting. oh those brits :)
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