Norm Violation Assignment

I chose to do this assignment individually because I am not comfortable in doing a group or partner assignment. My partner or group mate might depend on me and I do not want it to happen. Let me start my reflection or essay by giving the meaning of norm. A norm is a standard pattern of behavior that is considered normal in a community. Stand on your chair in a restaurant and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. I violated the first norm last August 27, 2008, Wednesday, at Consuelo Restaurant. I was with some of my high school classmates and friends that night when I decided to make my first norm violation. I asked the in charge of the restaurant if I could do that said behavior in their restaurant. Luckily she allowed me to do it. At first I was hesitant to do the Pledge of Allegiance while standing on a chair because people might perceive me as stupid, abnormal or out of my mind. I saw the people beside our table already staring at me and it seems like their faces are so curious and waiting for my next actions to be done. The woman in the other table was like half laughing at us. My friends dared me to do it. I stood in the chair and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The experience was fun and I had enjoyed the assignment. It was also a weird thing that our teacher gave that as an assignment for us. I think the people in the restaurant perceive me as weird because of what I did. If I saw a person doing the same act like what I did, I might perceive him as just joking around or his friends might have dared him. I cannot really judge a person because I do not have the right to do it. I do not want to criticize other people. Walk around somewhere indoor with an open umbrella. The second norm I violated happened last August 30, 2008, Saturday, at Goldcrest near Xavier University College after my NSTP class. It was a lunch time and there were a few people inside the store. My friend was busy choosing a notebook when I asked her if she could take a photo of me with my umbrella open inside the Goldcrest using her cellular phone. The sales lady there was looking at me with a questioned look. The people inside the store did not say a word and they did not even scold me for doing that weird act. I did not look at their faces because they might laugh at me. But I can feel that they are curious about that behavior. Both my experience with the Pledge of Allegiance and umbrella was uncomfortable, weird, fun, and challenging.