From The Experience Designer Network, probably the longest and wordiest way of saying "travel broadens the mind" that I have ever encountered!

Via Open Artifact, the tale of of a self-confessed "50 year old, gray haired, college professor", puzzled by a greeting of "How’s it goin’, man?" from an unknown Sears cashier.

The author's later ruminations on informality, habits and learning-as-change are interesting, but I am a little worried by the inferences he draws from these few words. In particular:

I suppose I should be encouraged that a 19-year old thinks I’m cool enought o call me "man," but, actually, I imagine this fellow had no clue what he was actually saying.

On the contrary, I imagine this fellow knew exactly what he was saying. The problem was that he did not necessarily consider what these words might mean to a "50 year old, gray haired, college professor". I suggest that this speaking style may not be deliberate or even unconscious informality, merely the speech patterns of his peer group. Calling you "man" probably says nothing about whether he considers you to be "cool", merely that he acknowledges you as a human being worthy of interaction.

Imagine the young cashier had said "bonjour" instead. Should we infer formality or informality, or merely that he might be French?

In my classes I have students who refer to me as "Sir" or "Mr Carver". I also have some who are more likely to refer to me as "Oy!" or "Franky-boy". The challenge is to maintain effective communication so that learning can take place. As teacher this is largely my responsibility, and in practice this means tuning my responses and communication styles to suit the situation. Students have the luxury of being themselves; I must adapt to be what they need.