At a college dining hall, pre-pandemic
e: Post*-pandemic, not pre-pandemic.
It's noisy, but I'm sitting close enough a round table. I hear things like:
"I've never seen anyone do that"
"What the heck man"
"I mean . . . I guess?"
Then:
"Jess, you say women can only wear cropped shirts if they're our age. Will, you say don't talk to people who wear the wrong colors on game day. You don't take tests without your lucky bracelet."
Someone at the table is pointing around. I was sneaking glances, but now I'm staring.
Purple sweater guy: "You don't talk to people who like cars. You insist on the same Bad Bunny song when we pregame. You insist on the same Drake song. You don't talk to men who don't approach . . ."
He puts his hand to his forehead, elbow on table.
"Sam's . . . _allowed_ to eat cereal with two bowls."
I look at the table. Guy next to him is eating cerealwith milk in one bowl and the cereal in a separate bowl.
Another guy: "It's still weird"
Sam: "Yeah it is"
Purple: "It's _so_ weird"
Another gal: "Yeah we all are"
I'm sure I caught one other person eavesdropping and making a "not bad" face.