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From:	Dr. Doug Graham (DrGraham.vegsource.com)
Subject:	Communications can be tricky
Date:	March 25, 2012 at 3:30 am PST

When I go snow skiing or snow boarding, the Japanese seem rude to me, because they crowd me, and sometimes even ski over the tops of my skis. Apparently, in Japan this is not considered rude behavior, and is just my perception.
I was once at the Smithsonian when they had an exhibit of "personal space." Footprints on the floor showed where two people would commonly stand when talking to each other, from various countries. In some countries, 2 meters were normal, but in some countries, people stand almost nose to nose. If you are too far, or two close, it is considered rude, whether you know it or not.
The British tend to find Americans rude, among our other endearing qualities. Just as often, we Americans find the British rude, because we don't understand how they do things. Certainly in the fields of medicine and law, things are different in the UK than in the US. In the UK, I call my medical doctor by his first name when I talk to him in his office, as does everyone, for that is the common way it is done. In the States, I am commonly called Dr. Graham, or by those who know me, Dr. Doug, or just Doctor.
My recommendation is that before we go off attacking each other, let's consider if our communications are loving, if we are being understanding and understood, and remember why we are all here.

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