I've commented before on the students and how the vast majority of them fit certain (racial) stereotypes to a tee, but as my new position requires me to interact quite a bit with the older adults on the campus as well, I'm noticing a number of similar stereotypes among them too. For example, oftentimes an employee will listen to music at his/her desk. If the employee is a work study student, or is under the age of thirty, the music will almost always be hip-hop or R&B -- the only exceptions I've heard so far being the selections of the freaknerds and the Linkin Park played by an old high school classmate of mine. But if the employee is older, the music will invariably be gospel music. Actually, a handful of the younger people -- usually women -- also play an abundance of gospel music. By the way, I hate gospel music.

Also, a good deal of the conversations among the older employees have to do with church attendance and the Bible -- nothing really in-depth or serious, but I still find it fairly odd. It occurs to me that despite the supposed religiosity of the country and its 80% Christian populace, this is one of the only places I've ever been where the majority of people regularly attend worship services. It's all old-timey like.

And speaking of old-timey like, do you know what a woman called me the other day when she meant to pay me a compliment? "Preacher". Preacher! It's like some shit out of a Flannery O'Connor short story. And then she went on to ask if I actually was a preacher or a deacon or was studying to be one -- as if one can't be articulate without having a position in the church! Amazing.

Thus concludes this entry from the field. See you next time, minna-san!