Personal space

It did not take long to discover when we moved to Europe that personal space has a very different definition here than in Canada. It is quite obvious in the grocery story when the people behind you are literally breathing down your neck or hitting you in the lower part of your back with their shopping cart. Driving is tight. If someone is on your tail it's not because they are impatient but rather that they like to be close! In a restaurant it's not uncommon for someone to come and sit at the table right next to you even if the rest of the restaurant is empty! In a crowded restaurant personal space differences are really highlighted. If there are empty seats at your table, don't expect this to be ignored. Instead, expect someone, a complete stranger, to come and sit with you!
Yesterday after shopping the girls and I went into a McCafe for something to drink. It was packed to the rafters. There were 3 seats available at a table where two men were sitting and I willed myself to take them, even though it was rather strange. After a bit they left and we changed our seating arrangement to a more comfortable, closed, Canadian-type of configuration. However, it wasn't long before we had company. Three German/Russian mothers arrived at our table with their 5 children. I scooted over to let them sit down. We had a great time with these little kids, especially the little boy. Basically we watched the children for the mothers while they were away ordering the food! It was a very enjoyable experience!
This little guy was so cute. He told me he was 3 but would be 4 when they got home. They must have been traveling. He also asked me where I was from and he told me where he was from, although I didn't quite catch that! He reminded me so much of a little guy from Brazil whose parents we first met in Canada (with him and his 2 brothers) and then worked with at the mission. It was so precious!