waiting for the hiccup

2023, august 28, cammeraygal (sydney)

german day-to-day communication often seems so trapped in a never ending spiral of blame and premature defence. i‘m so used to this guilt-soaked language that it always catches me off guard when i‘m out and about in kinder corners of the world. here in oz, it never ceases to surprise me when the house manager, bus driver or doctor’s receptionist doesn’t bite my head off. what are they waiting for?! i’m standing here, ready to be snapped at, but it‘s just not happening. it‘s like when you have the hiccups and they suddenly stop, but you‘re still bracing for the next one.