windows into another world

wind, as it passes the over the body, convectively cools by evaporating sweat and heat and providing you with a satisfying feeling of comfort. this is a concept that i really like. in africa this law of physics is treated with more skepticism. windows were designed to facilitate this process and are standard in all vehicles except submarines. in the long hours i have spent in buses in arid east africa, i have become increasingly aware that there isn't international agreement in this law and of africans' aversion to physical comfort. it can be 75,000 degrees (F or C, whichever you are more comfortable with) in an overcrowded bus with everyone fanning themselves and sweating with the windows tightly shuttered, when someone will open a window to throw out a plastic water bottle. instantly everyone will be bathed in a refreshingly cool sensation. we all look around in ecstasy at the new-found pleasure and smile thinking isn't this nice and immediately close the window again. being the culturally sensitive man i am, i quietly suggest we do that again and am greeted with scorn, "pushy american!"
i have observed a similar phenomenon with my austrian sister-in-law. apparently in austria millions of people die every year instantly if two windows in the same room are open at the same time. the harm being that the crosswind, with its lethal ability to cool you off, will suck out your soul and leave you a lifeless corpse.
in conclusion, sometimes looking at the world through the perspective of another culture is important to evaluating your own, but this time i think i'm right to say that americans and physics have this one correct!!!