back from the motherland

so i'm finally back on a much needed break. my six consecutive months in china were interesting, but it's really alot more than a decent well-mannered westerner can endure. i have to admit though that i'm suffering a bit of reverse culture shock here at home.

where's all the unapologetic pushing and cutting in line?

and the spitting, nosepicking and belching in public?

where's all the mismatched outfits and flipflops with socks?

why don't people cross the street here assuming they have some special invisible force field that will protect them from a 2 ton pile of steel racing towards them at 60 mph?

why can't someone smoke in a hospital?

and most importantly, no squatting?!