Journal of Violations

 
Purpose
The purpose of committing this violations is to observe the importance that our society has placed on certain speech acts or nonverbal communication norms.  This importance does not translate in all cultures, which can lead to certain failures in intercultural communication.  Consider what you expect of others when you make a phone call or ask “How are you?” to a stranger.  What do they expect of you in the same situation?
Method
In order to experience how uncomfortable violations of cultural norms are, you will commit one of the  violations listed here.
After committing the violation at least three times, you will write 3 paragraphs summarizing the general reaction to your violation.  How did the person/people around you react?  How did it make you feel?  Was it hard to do the violation due to habit?  Could you commit the violation without laughing?

Don’t tell anyone what you are doing until after you have committed the violation.
If you are at home with the same limited number of people, spread out how often you try the violation. Be subtle so that they notice that something is off, but you can perform the violation the required three times.

Since our social contact is limited right now you can choose an option below based on your situation. For example, are you at home with only a few family members? Try breaking eating etiquette. Are you home alone? Try the social media option.
Choose between Option A or Option B
Option A > Break U.S. eating etiquette

Eating etiquette in the United States varies compared to other parts of the world. This is neither good nor bad, but simply different. Etiquette in the United States includes, but is not limited to:

Eat with silverware, unless the foods requires using your hands, i.e. sandwich
Do not belch, pick teeth, lick fingers, or chew with mouth open while eating
Use a napkin to clean hands and face
Do not speak with food in your mouth
Sit at a table in a chair
Do not slurp soup, blow bubbles in drinks, or drink noisily through a straw
Do not take food from someone else’s plate

Attempt to break one or more of these rules at no less than 3 meals. Do not laugh. Stay focused on the task and make note of the reactions of others as well as how you feel.
Observe reactions.  Do people frown at you? Are they shocked by your cluelessness? Do they mock you? Do they get angry?
Option B > Design your own Non-verbal Violation/Consider these Possibilities:

Walk away from a conversation without excusing yourself
Don’t say anything after receiving a compliment
Greet someone in an unusual way such as skipping or jumping instead of waving
Make extensive eye-contact during conversations or look away from someone during conversations
Respond to a text message/social media post with an off-topic or unrelated comment