I think this sounds reasonable and understandable in your circumstances.

Very interesting to see the contrast!

Sorry, I see that I didn't make my question entirely clear. In Arabic culture, women often meet their friends at home, while men always meet friends outside. Or, there is a special room in the house with a separate entrance and/or bathroom so that men can visit the house without disturbing or seeing the women.

I was wondering if when getting together with FRIENDS, in Venezuela, if the meeting of friends happens not very much in private homes (which might bemore reserved for get-togethers with extended family) and FRIENDS might more often meet in bars or restaurants. I was wondering if this might apply to women's friendships as well, making bars an acceptable place for women to go in Venezuela, sort of like the neighborhood meeting place? That might account for people going there more than in the U.S. ? I was just wondering.

As I was reading your post, I was wondering if Venezeulans (sp?) prefer to meet in public places when meeting anyone outside of the family? Do people visit friends' homes less than in the U.S.? I wonder if that makes places like bars more a part of the culture there?

Thanks, Deborah, I'm glad my comment helped you feel better!

In my country (Morocco) this is a habitual occurrence with people cutting in line, and I do the same thing as you did. However, there is no such law in Morocco. In fact, I am on two crutches, and people of every age still try to cut in front.

The fact that you now know there is a law, people probably were thinking you were inconsiderate of older citizens, and probably didn't realize you didn't know about the law. It would not be possible to go back and explain that to every possible person who works in the store and may have seen you. So if I were in your situation, I would have avoided that store, too. Perhaps after 6 months, I'd say most people would have forgotten about it, and I'd go back (for example if it is a grocery store convenient to my home). Aside from that, the other people probably thought that the older woman also acted badly. It might also be a culture where people just don't attempt to help out in other people's disputes (kind of like Morocco).

I don't think you overreacted. I think just about ANY American could have been caught in the same situation, especially when people constantly try to cut in line, and you feel like they are taking advantage of you. So, have you noticed since then if younger people never cut in line, or if only older people do, and of what age seems to be OK to do it?