I agree, Carlos, that if we aren't careful, we may see and misinterpret a student's behavior based on our own biases and fears. Sometimes an angry retort is - just an angry retort. There is no significance to be attached to tone, no underlying neurosis being manifested. The higher education community has become gun shy of anyone who seems to be behaving outside the norm, and we are quick to assign the worst possible explanation to what we see. I get grouchy when I'm hungry, too!
