Alien Tour Guide

I wanted to show the alien the computer commons (because the alien will no doubt be amazed at the level of intelligence)

Me: These are the computer commons where we can use computers to do homework, or just waste time
Alien: Why?
Me: Well, our homework is very important because it helps us get better grades
Alien: Why?
Me: Well, homework helps us gain a better understanding of the things we need to learn
Alien: Why?
Me: Because practice makes perfect.  One other thing about being here is that you must never sit next to someone unless there are no other possible seats.
Alien: Why?
Me:Because sometimes people like to be left alone
Alien: Why?
Me: Because then they don't have to make conversation when they don't want to

Alien: Smell ya later weird human

In my tour I expressed two assumptions,
1) people can't do well in a class without doing the homework
2) people are just as uncomfortable and socially awkward as myself

1)  Oftentimes it seems that a class is not passable, much less understandable if the homework is not done.  However, that isn't necessarily the truth.  It all depends on how well someone understands the material and the point structure of the class.  If a teacher gives the students 3 100-point tests and 10 10-point homework assignments and the student understands the material well enough to get 100% on each test, they will receive a 75% (300 of 400 possible points)for the class.  This is acceptable for many people and doesn't require any homework to be done at all.

2)  It is a common general assumption that when we sit down near other people that there needs to be at least 1 space in between seats.  But perhaps that person we are sitting next to doesn't care about the conventions or wants someone to talk to them.  It is quite possible that the person may think it is odd that we purposely sat away from them or could be offended that we seem to be avoiding them.