Did That Really Just Happen?

So for the past few weeks I have turned my head to things that I feel that are only acceptable in private that seem to be the norm here and written them off to simple cultural differences, but something happened tonight in a cab that finally crossed the line so I must share.

First off, here are a few things that are common, everyday sights both on the streets and in schools:

1 - Nose Picking. I inquired about whether or not I could teach my kids not to pick their nose in class and I was informed that that's actually standard practice here. I then started noticing people doing it all the time without even trying to hide it. Walking down the street, on the river taxi, at a restaurant, even while teaching a class. But fine, I was willing to let that go.

2. Ear Wax Picking. Ever seen an Asian man with short fingernails except for an exceptionally long pinkie nail? I for one figured it was for some sort of drug use. A fellow nosy volunteer who is less shy than me asked a male teacher at her school what it was for, and he was perfectly blunt with her. He said some people probably use it for drug use but that he and the people he knows use it to get the wax out of their ears. A few days ago a security guard outside the mall was sitting on a motorcycle not 5 feet in front of us when he just went at his ear for a good 15-20 seconds. Horrifying but whatever, I'll look the other way.

3. Ball Scratching/Adjusting. Young and old, guys here do this anywhere and often. From the little 5 year olds in my day care to older shop owners and everyone in between, I witness this several times a day. Being a girl I guess I will never understand the need/purpose of this activity, so I can pretend not to see and let that go too.

4. Hacking/Coughing. If you want or need to do this in public, I understand that sometimes there are emergencies, but at least cover your mouth or get a tissue or something. PLEASE do not just cough up some random phlegm or object and then spit it out like it's something as benign as a watermelon seed. Again, I think you're gross, but I will try not to let my disgust show on my face as I walk by you on the street.

For those of you who know me well, you must know that witnessing all of these things and not reacting has been eating at me. I've been pretty proud of myself as well, but I can't pretend it's all okay anymore.

Today I was stuck in a taxi during a traffic jam for more than half an hour with a driver who was continually belching so loud that most of them ended with a gag. NOT OKAY! Thankfully Hannah was with me so that I didn't have to experience this atrocity alone, and also so that I have a witness. The first time it happen our driver had just pulled into a gas station to fill up, which I thought was a rude way to begin the ride, especially since we were already running late for a movie. I was going to ask Hannah if our driver just burped in front of us but on the off chance that he spoke English I didn't want to offend him in case one slipped out.

My internal question was answered not two minutes later when the burping/gagging sound happened again. I'm not just talking about your average burp here. Have you ever been so hungover that you need to make yourself throw up just to feel better, and a gross part burp/part gag/part dry heave happens when you're unsuccessful? Of course not, me neither. Anyway...it's gross. I don't want to hear myself make that sound and I certainly don't want to overhear a stranger directly in front of me do it either. And I kid you not, this went on REPEATEDLY for the better part of half an hour.

At first I tried not to giggle and I got out a funny English for kids book that I have to try and distract myself. Then the situation got so absurd that I didn't mind laughing every once in a while. By the end of the ride though I was getting really pissed because I thought it was so rude. He MUST know that that is not appropriate. It was so outrageous that then I wondered if maybe he was doing it on purpose because he was annoyed with us for some reason, so then I would try not to get so mad every time cause I didn't want to give him the reaction he was fishing for. Finally the traffic mercilessly parted and we made it to the movie theater just in the nick of time, barreling out of the cab laughing hysterically and wondering WTF just happened? Honestly, the only thing that could have made that situation worse was had he actually thrown up on himself while driving us.

Sorry to vent but I needed to get that out and hey, who doesn't love a hilarious gag story every now and then?