Noise Levels and Volume Controls

It is day 5 at Alderman Ave. Bokhandle, and it is a fairly lazy afternoon, with a slow, calm feel to it. Though, in truth, this is quite typical of my location, and quite frankly, this is what I have come to love about it. The quite time is very appropriate for a house of books and book-related amenities, and the peace is perfect for homework and other academic activities. The frequenters  of this establishment are usually quiet as well, which is a nice and interesting contrast to how inconsiderately loud young people often are. The main visitors are often ages 15 to 25 (and since even libraries are usually the quietest place is around) I just expect significantly more noise that I actually hear, which is quite the pleasant surprise. Actually, when I first arrived in my section, there was a group of three teens (later joined by a fourth) and a younger boy: Talkis, Vrea, Dani, Tobie and Coleson, respectively, who were conversing jovially (as grouped up people often do) but at a considerate volume. I would be amiss if I said that I wasn’t somewhat disappointed to see young people in my section, as I was expecting to kiss my peace and quiet goodbye.
    Back to the topic at hand, however, which is apparently young people and volume control. We are the loudest age group and tend to like everything around us loud (e.g. Our music, television shows, and our movies). But why is this? It could be the we believe the more presence something has, or the bigger impression it leaves on us, the more important and/or cool it must be. Or perhaps it is just because we are Americans. In Japanese culture, volume control is a key skill that has been mastered since a child learned to speak. Whereas, in American culture, children are encouraged to stand out and be seen and outshine the other kids, and in Japanese culture, shyness and quiet are signs of a stellar child, as opposed to more boisterous attitudes that we tend to boast here in the West. This can often lead to inter-cultural misinterpretations, such as the fact that Americans are just plain rude or that Asians are timid (although there may be more truth to the former that we as Americans just don’t want to admit to…)
   These cultural trends are more emphasized when looking at exchange students and people in general from other countries who visit or grow up in America. In the case of the former, people may at first find America. “egocentrism” hard to grasp and adjust to, but eventually may learn to look at it as an example of  “When in Rome…” and maybe even adopt some of our individualistic tendencies. In the case of the latter, people may find the own genetically native culture odd, as they have spent their entire lives in America, and find the strong sense of humility a bit off-putting and perhaps to “soft” for their liking. Either way, it is important to recognize cultural, generational, and age differences and approach a group cautiously if one is afraid that they will offend. As for loud teenagers, however, I’m afraid there might not be a cure for that, as they tend offend older people within their own culture, let alone the cultures of others…