Clash of cultures

Each year our church welcomes students who have come to do a year-long
teacher training course in the village. Despite their short stay, some
of these students get quite involved with the church.

At the beginning of the school year, it was announced that the church
was going to start having official welcomers. "What a great idea!" I
thought.

Then the duties of these welcomers were explained. They would tell
people where to sit when they arrive at church, and then wake up anyone
who nods off to sleep during the service. With a stick.

In fact, just to make sure no one nods off, anyone leaning forward with
their elbows on their knees is told to sit up straight.

What I find even odder is that it is the recently-arrived students who
have been given this responsibility, and that no one seems to find it
strange that these newcomers end up telling people how to behave in
their own church!