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Introducing oneself is a strange thing. Did you know that in practically every English-speaking country in the world the most universal way to greet another person is with a handshake or by waving? However, in other countries, gestures such as bowing or even embracing are more common. It helps to know what the preferred method is in whatever place you might find yourself.
Even the simple act of saying 'hello' can be different. In Afrikaans, they say hello, but they pronounce it more like 'hu-llo', while in French they have different words depending on formality. 'Salut' is more informal, but 'bonjour' is formal, but only for for daytime use, and 'bonsoir' or 'bonne nuit' are used for evening and nighttime greetings. I'm rather fond of what they say in Māori, which is 'kia ora' or 'be well/be healthy'. Oh, and in Gaelic, they say 'dia duit', which literally means 'God be with you'. I'm don't know about all of you, but I'm not sure I'd want certain Gods to be with me.
It occurs to me that I should apologize. [...] I'm very new to this whole people possibly wanting to know me, and I'm getting distracted. I was here to introduce myself, and I just started babbling, which is strange to do in text but so be it. That being said, I'm Epa Bernadette Harrop, though I don't mind if people decide to be more colloquial and call me Bernie. Or something else, really, but some nicknames could be more worrisome. I would give you my 'real' name, but I doubt you'd believe me. Not many do. Anyway, I'm new here. A student. Underclassman. Freshman. Linguistics major.
[...] Have I said too much?
Also, fireworks just went off in my room, is this normal?
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