Sometimes It Takes a Drunkard

A few days ago I was reviewing the Across handbook given to all new employees. Among the bits of cultural advice was one that read "when you enter a room, don't sit down until you have shaken the hand of every person present." Sometimes this isn't practical but it is true that as a general rule when meeting a group of people here in Southern Sudan, I will go around and shake each hand. Not just the hands of the big men, not just the hands of men, but the hands of all who are present. Sanitary concerns aside, I really like this. One simple custom but in carrying out this act, I acknowledge the humanity and the importance of each person present.

The next day I was sitting around chatting with some Across staff and a visitor who told a story about his commute in Melbourne, Australia. He gets on and off the train at pretty much the same spot every day, sees many of the same people every day, and yet they rarely say anything to each other or even acknowledge each other's presence. Instead iPods dominate the conversation. Then one evening as he was travelling home, a drunk man wobbled his way into the car, sharing a general greeting and then breaking out in song. I can't remember the actual song, but it involved a part where the lead singer is quiet and a band of back up whistlers take over. When he arrived at this point, he was quiet and waited expectantly for his band of fellow travelers to take over. When nothing happened he mildly berated those sharing the car with him and then started over with his song. Again he reached a point of quiet, and this time he was not disappointed as a few brave souls filled their lungs and whistled the required part. I can only imagine the combination of humour and awkwardness as passengers glanced around at each other and at the man with his mostly empty bottle of unidentified alcohol.

This situation could just as easily have occurred in North America and I'm sure in Europe as well. What does it say about our societies that it take an inebriated man to bring a bit of human interaction and fun back into our lives. I certainly hope I'm not headed for a place where it takes alcohol for me to treat others as real, animated human beings. And I guess I'll be thinking a bit about what kind of choices I can make in life to ensure that I don't ever get to that point.