Culture is a funny thing. The first time I was in China comes to mind. My Chinese colleague and I were riding the subway in Shanghai, returning from a late dinner. Like everywhere in China, the car was crowded, but somehow we managed to get seats. At each stop more and more people pushed their way in. A little old wizened Chinese lady boarded carrying a couple of shopping bags. She stood near me and I instinctively stood and offered her my seat. I rode the next 25 minutes or so standing in the crowded car.
As we finally disembarked at the stop for my hotel, my friend asked me why in the world I gave up my seat? I tried to explain, but he was so confused. “You had to stand the whole trip when you had a good seat!”
Never was I more aware that what passes for politeness and courtesy in my culture may not be true everywhere.
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