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8b Cultural differences

. READING
A. Discuss.
• Think of gestures or customs that exist
in your country. Do you think they are
the same everywhere around the world?
B. Guess the answers to these questions. Then read and
check your answers.

1. What do Russians do just 2. What’s a common way
before going on a journey? for people in Belgium
a. They call their family to to greet each other? 3. What does pulling the skin down
say goodbye. a. They kiss three times under your eye mean in Japan?
sat down. After a minute, everyone MM Publications
b. They sit quietly for a short on the cheek. a. Something is boring.
while in their house. b. They shake hands. b. Something is interesting.

www.culturaldifferences.com

They do it differently!

We know what feels normal and right to do in our culture. But other cultures have customs and gestures that are
different and they may seem strange to us. So, it’s easy to misunderstand someone from a culture that is different
from our own. Here are a few examples:
I was in Russia with some friends and I’m from London, and when we Last year, I was invited to Japan by my
we were about to leave to go on a meet someone for the first time, we friend, Daiki. On the second day of my
long trip. So, with my bags in my hand, usually shake hands. Well, I had a visit, Daiki asked me if I wanted to see his
I walked towards the door. I turned big surprise in Belgium. When I was son in a play and, of course, I said ‘yes’.
around to say something, but everyone introduced to my friend’s brother, It was really entertaining but, halfway
else was just sitting there silently. With something occurred which made through the play, I got something in my
his finger to his lips, Dimitri smiled at me feel uncomfortable. I said ‘hi’ eye. So, I tried to remove it with my
me and asked me not to interrupt, as to him, extending my hand, and finger. Daiki’s wife saw me and she got
©
this would bring bad luck. Feeling a he came up to me and kissed me really upset. I couldn’t understand why
bit embarrassed, I walked back in and on the cheek, not once, but three though. I asked Daiki why his wife was
Japan when you pull the skin down under
the other! Of course, I went red
got up and cheerfully walked out the times, going from one cheek to angry with me and he told me that in
door. I later learnt that it is a Russian and they started laughing at me. your eye, it shows that you’re making
custom to sit silently in the house In Belgium, it’s common to greet fun of something. Later in the evening,
before a journey. Actually, it’s also someone by kissing three times. I apologised to Daiki’s wife and tried to
useful because it helps you remember Tracy, London clear up the misunderstanding, but I’m
if you’ve forgotten anything important! not so sure she believed me.
John, Boston Peter, Bath

C. Read again and answer the questions. D. Look at the highlighted words/phrases in the
texts and choose the correct meaning a or b.
1. Why did Dimitri ask John to be quiet?
2. How did John react? 1. were about to
3. Why did Tracy extend her hand? a. were ready to b. were afraid to
4. How did Tracy feel when the man 2. silently
kissed her? a. without moving b. without speaking
5. Why did Peter pull the skin down 3. occurred b. happened
a. was said
under his eye? 4. remove
6. What did Peter do after the a. take out b. cover
misunderstanding?
5. clear up
a. explain b. find out
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