Et tu, Brute?

Ok. So I plan on soon adding several interesting posts about various interesting things in the near future. In the meantime, however, a student who never comes to class has taken it upon himself to complain about me to my boss. This might seem to be breaking my "no-self-centered-rambling" rule....and it is, kind of....but there's also a cultural factor here.

People here don't like to be rude....it's a well-observed cultural trait (by outsiders and Chilenos alike) that they will avoid saying "no" at all costs, even if that entails making plans and then standing people up. By the same token, it seems that discussing my lesson plans with me would be rude, but going over my head and putting my job in jeapordy is not. This is the awkward logic of Chileno Etiquette. They are extremely concered with courtesy (I've heard older people complain that this is no longer the case, but I still find that people here are far more politeness-prone than at home). (Not that anyone has every accused Northeasterners of being overly polite). However, the etiquette system here often seems to be riddled with side effects.

Case in point: I have stated multiple times throughout this course that I welcome input from students. And I do, particularly in these small classes--it is impossible to know which types of lessons work best if you receive no feedback. No one, including my 'Brutus,' has taken me up on this. If he had (during one of his brief appearances), I could have altered my class to address his concerns and emphasize his particular needs. Instead, I now have to prove to my upset boss that I am a competent teacher and do not deserve to be sacked. I also have to teach my accuser tonight without mentioning the fact that I feel capable of saying some very unkind things just at this moment.

So I am only left to conclude that in Chile, offering constructive criticism is A Very Bad Thing. Wreaking havoc in the professional life of your teacher, however, is Par For The Course.

All his faults observed,
Set in a note-book, learn’d, and conn’d by rote.
(Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, IV.III.92)

There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats;
For I am armed so strong in honesty
That they pass by me as the idle wind,
Which I respect not. (IV.III.67)

Roman tragedy, English teaching, you know, similar stuff.