ibunka TB_U11

1 Yuta , Japanese, engineer, has lived in Australia and the UAE I don’t say anything. I act as if no one is there. I think it's the norm in Japan.

TRUE FALSE

→ Yuta feels that his behavior towards strangers is not unusual in Japan.

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2 Millie , Costa Rican, yoga teacher, lives in Japan I would feel more comfortable behaving as if that person didn’t exist. If I don’t know that person, I don’t see a reason to communicate.

TRUE FALSE

→ Millie would probably ignore anyone who shared an elevator with her.

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3 Jacques , French, professor, lives in Japan, has lived in the USA In France people usually keep to themselves, or might just say a word of greeting at most. But when I lived in the USA, I was surprised that people would always try to start up a conversation. The same thing happens when queuing for the supermarket cash register. Many American people soon engage in some light conversation. It seems like they feel a need to fill the silence.

TRUE FALSE

→ Jacques found that Americans were usually very quiet when waiting to pay in supermarkets.

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4 Brent , Australian, lawyer, lives in Japan Once, as I was waiting in line to order in a fast food restaurant in Japan, an American man standing in front of me turned, saw me, and began to chat. This wasn’t so strange for me, since in my country we sometimes make small talk with strangers while we are waiting. It felt pleasant to have a little conversation.

TRUE FALSE

→ Brent was happy to have a little chat with a fellow foreigner.

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UNIT 11 | COMPREHENSION