My friend Dave, who studies bacteria at a lab, told me that even 1 second on a dirty floor picks up tons of germs and it's not about time at all. Has anyone else been quietly ignoring this whole time and still eating dropped snacks?
I sat down right beside the only other person in the clinic waiting room. They got up and moved to a chair far away without a word. What's the unspoken rule about how close we can sit when there are plenty of open spots?
I used to always stand up for older people, but it felt off sometimes. Then I noticed others only offer if the person looks like they need it, not just by age. Now I watch for subtle signs, and it feels more natural.