School

I've never been a trouble maker but I feel like stirring things up for some reason. I believe it is the lack of rebels and instigators. From what I've seen in school there has been no insubordination. At the beginning of every class students stand up and say "Lao she hao" which means "Good Teacher". As they say this they bow. Each class has a group leader and everyone follows his instruction. After lunch there is a twenty minute nap time and most everyone sleeps. School is from 8:00 to 5:00 and I don't hear a single groan or even a tired face. Most everyone is filled with child like glee. Tuesday and Thursday mornings are assemblies where students are called to attention and follow instructions to stand up, sit down, stand up, place their hand on their hip, stand at ease, stand at attention, and salute in the blazing sun. Everyone complies to the blaring voice over the microphone and everyone sings the national anthem. I would expect complaining, refusal to follow orders and maybe a mumbled half sung national anthem. It could be argued that this is just what the students expect but i believe its more than that. There is an emphasis in being part of the group and fitting the mold. This attitude contrasts greatly from the American "Rebel without a cause" and "Stick it to the man" way of thinking. This is not to say that the students are perfect or like robots by any means. Students still fall asleep in class and pull out their cell phones when they're not supposed to. However when its pouring rain and the lady with the microphone tells everyone waiting to be dismissed to either sit on the wet black top or squat on their haunches, I don't hear any moans, groans, or whispered curses.

Dress is also quite different. In Taipei school uniforms are the norm rather than the exception. Uniforms range from t-shirts and sweatpants, purple sweat shorts, to button down shirts. Teachers on the other hand don't wear uniforms, they dress extremely casually. Some apparel teachers wear include t-shirt and short sport shorts, t-shirts that say "I'm just a girl" (on a male teacher), or a t-shirt that says "Funk You". This is different from what I'm used to considering my high school gym teacher dressed in khaki shorts with a tucked in polo. Honestly I could care less what sort of garments my instructors are wearing, this is simply a cultural difference that I feel obliged to share.

For now I'm concentrating on subduing the little American rebel within me and stopping the urge to cause a little mischief.

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