Noise

Salvadorans/Latinos have a different idea of what "disturbance of peace" is. They notoriously blast music in the buses (even on the 5 am bus ride) to the point where you can't have a reasonable conversation or if the bus lacks music one person will put on their own portable radio. Even better is when the bus is showing a movie and a passenger decides his music is better than the movie and instead of using headphones, permits all around him to enjoy his unwanted distraction. It can be one of the most annoying parts of the culture here.

On the weekends, I can usually count on the bolos to play loud music when they are drinking but last night it only slightly surprised me to hear Evangelicals proselytize over a loud speaker (in a town of 4x4 blocks) until past 11 o'clock at night...trying to get God's word in amongst your nightly dreams.

It's not only the fact that they don't take into consideration other people when they decide to play music too loud. Rather, its the fact that EVERYONE else seems to never be bothered by it. Only us control-freak Americans gets all wound-up about it. I wish I could say that they had the better take on this....you know, letting things roll but for whatever reason it reminds me of the smoking ban. I don't care if you smoke but when your smoking endangers my health THEN I have a problem. Ok ok, granted loud music isn't endangering my immediate health but it does add an unhealthy dose of anxiety. Wow, I'm digging a hole here. Ya no mas.