Student responses may include describing how the guy in the black sweatshirt bumps into the other man as he enters the row of seats and does not apologize, and the fact that he takes an empty seat between the couple and the man with the smartphone when there are other vacant seats available. Other examples include the disruptive guy knocking the woman’s legs and touching the other man’s phone.

Student responses may include describing occasions such as standing in crowded elevators or long lines, moving through crowds on the sidewalk or while shopping, sitting in overcrowded restaurants, in sporting arenas, on airplanes, or on other means of transportation. Student answers will also vary on ways to minimize discomfort but might include responses such as trying to minimize body movements, apologizing if contact is made inadvertently, moving to the right on crowded sidewalks, managing personal belongings so they do not crowd others, or moving out of the way to allow another to pass.

Briefly describe three nonverbal cues that clearly demonstrate that most of the characters in this scene are accustomed to living in a low human contact culture.

Student responses could include describing annoyance on the faces of the three characters disturbed by the guy in the black sweatshirt; the fact that all three characters eventually change their seats or leave to create distance between themselves and the man in the hoodie; and the annoyed way in which the woman says, “So why’s this guy gotta sit here?”