Culture Shock: Everyday Surprises
Explore everyday customs around meals, greetings, shopping, and conversation. Discover how small differences can lead to surprising moments.
Preview
Questions with solutions-
1. درست جواب منتخب کریں۔
What does the host expect the visitor to do?
At a home in Kyoto, Japan, the host points to a shoe rack beside the front door and offers the visitor a pair of indoor slippers.
- Change out of outdoor shoes.
- Wear the slippers over outdoor shoes.
- Keep the slippers for a walk outside.
Show solution
- Change out of outdoor shoes.
In many Japanese homes, leaving outdoor shoes at the entrance helps keep indoor floors clean.
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2. درست جواب منتخب کریں۔
Where should a new customer wait?
At a London bakery, one line serves three cashiers. The person at the front goes to whichever cashier becomes free next.
- Beside the cashier who looks fastest.
- In a new line behind one cashier.
- At the back of the shared line.
Show solution
- At the back of the shared line.
A shared line lets customers reach the next available cashier without having to pick a line.
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3. درست جواب منتخب کریں۔
What surprises the visitor about dinner?
Ben usually eats dinner at six. While visiting a family in Madrid, Spain, he learns that their evening meal normally begins at nine.
- The family eats dinner less often.
- The family eats dinner later.
- The family spends less time eating.
Show solution
- The family eats dinner later.
Evening meals often happen later in Spain than visitors expect, although each household has its own routine.
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4. درست جواب منتخب کریں۔
Who are the dishes in the center for?
At a restaurant in Seoul, South Korea, friends order several dishes. They place them in the center and use serving spoons to put small portions on their own plates.
- Everyone at the table.
- Only the person who ordered them.
- Only people who have finished their meals.
Show solution
- Everyone at the table.
Shared dishes let people enjoy several flavors without ordering a separate main dish for each person.
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5. درست جواب منتخب کریں۔
What extra cost should the visitor plan for?
At a restaurant in Chicago, the menu says that a tip is not included. A local friend explains that guests usually leave extra money for the server.
- A deposit that the restaurant returns later.
- A fixed ticket price for entering the restaurant.
- A tip in addition to the meal price.
Show solution
- A tip in addition to the meal price.
Tipping practices vary by place. Checking whether service is already included can prevent paying for it twice.
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6. درست جواب منتخب کریں۔
Why does the family wait until sunset to eat?
During Ramadan, Sam visits a Muslim family in Morocco. The adults who are fasting do not eat or drink during daylight. They invite him to share their meal after sunset.
- They are not allowed to prepare food during daylight.
- Their daily fast ends at sunset.
- Visitors can enter their home only after dark.
Think about the difference between preparing food and eating it.
Show solution
- Their daily fast ends at sunset.
The meal that breaks the daily Ramadan fast is called iftar, and it is often a time to gather with others.
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7. درست جواب منتخب کریں۔
What affects the coffee price at this café?
At a café in Rome, Italy, the menu lists one price for drinking espresso while standing at the counter and a higher price for being served at a table.
- Whether the customer uses table service.
- Whether the customer visits in the morning.
- Whether the coffee is served hot.
Both customers can order the same coffee.
Show solution
- Whether the customer uses table service.
At some Italian cafés, table service costs more than counter service. The place where you drink can affect the bill.
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8. درست جواب منتخب کریں۔
Why does the friend wait to answer the call?
On a train in Tokyo, a sign asks passengers not to make phone calls. When a friend's phone rings, she turns off the sound and calls back after leaving the train.
- Passengers must use station phones instead.
- Phone signals never work inside trains.
- She wants to avoid disturbing other passengers.
Consider why a shared space might have a rule about sound.
Show solution
- She wants to avoid disturbing other passengers.
Quiet-travel rules help people share a crowded space comfortably; they do not mean passengers dislike conversation.
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9. درست جواب منتخب کریں۔
What should the visitor do before Sunday?
In Frankfurt, Germany, a visitor finds that the local supermarket closes every Sunday. The museum and a nearby café are open that day. The visitor needs food for the weekend.
- Visit the museum.
- Buy groceries.
- Meet a friend at the café.
Which activity depends on the business that will be closed?
Show solution
- Buy groceries.
Many German shops close on Sundays, while some places for eating and leisure remain open.
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10. درست جواب منتخب کریں۔
Why do the two events have different arrival rules?
In Mexico City, Ana's office meeting starts exactly at eight. Her birthday invitation also says eight, but she tells friends that arriving a little later is fine.
- Work meetings and personal celebrations can have different expectations.
- Ana expects everyone to arrive late at both events.
- The birthday invitation gives the wrong starting time.
Think about the purpose of each event, not just its location.
Show solution
- Work meetings and personal celebrations can have different expectations.
Expectations about time can change with the situation, even for the same person in the same city.
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11. درست جواب منتخب کریں۔
What does the host's response mean?
During a birthday visit in Osaka, Japan, a host thanks Eva for her wrapped gift and places it safely beside the other presents. She says, "I'll open these after everyone has gone."
- She does not want to accept Eva's gift.
- She needs Eva to explain the gift before accepting it.
- She plans to open the gifts later rather than in front of guests.
Notice that the host thanks Eva and keeps the gift safe.
Show solution
- She plans to open the gifts later rather than in front of guests.
Gift-opening customs vary. Waiting to open a present does not necessarily show a lack of interest.
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12. درست جواب منتخب کریں۔
Where is bargaining welcome?
At a market stall in Marrakesh, Morocco, a seller invites visitors to suggest a price. A nearby shop displays a sign saying, "All prices are fixed."
- At both the stall and the shop.
- At the stall, but not at the shop.
- At the shop, but not at the stall.
Compare an invitation to suggest a price with a fixed-price notice.
Show solution
- At the stall, but not at the shop.
Shopping customs can differ between businesses on the same street. Bargaining is not expected everywhere.
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13. درست جواب منتخب کریں۔
What does the colleague's step backward show?
During a friendly conversation, Lee's new colleague steps back slightly. She says, "I'm enjoying our chat. I just feel more comfortable with a little more space between us."
- She prefers a greater distance while talking.
- She wants to end the conversation.
- She is having trouble hearing Lee.
Her words explain the movement without rejecting the conversation.
Show solution
- She prefers a greater distance while talking.
Comfortable personal space varies between people. A small step back does not automatically signal dislike.
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14. درست جواب منتخب کریں۔
What does the guest most likely mean?
A host invites a guest to dinner. The guest replies, "That may be difficult. I have another appointment at that time." A local friend explains that people in this group often soften a refusal to sound polite.
- The guest has accepted the invitation.
- The guest wants to bring another person.
- The guest probably cannot attend.
Consider both the polite wording and the other appointment.
Show solution
- The guest probably cannot attend.
A refusal can be expressed indirectly. Gentle wording may still communicate that someone is unavailable.
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15. درست جواب منتخب کریں۔
Why do the teammates misunderstand each other?
In an international team, Mina pauses to think before answering. Omar starts speaking because, in his usual group, a long pause means nobody wants to answer. Mina feels that he has interrupted her.
- They disagree about the subject of the discussion.
- They give different meanings to the same pause.
- They both believe that a pause ends the discussion.
Compare what Mina is doing with what Omar thinks the silence means.
Show solution
- They give different meanings to the same pause.
Silence can signal thinking or an opportunity for someone else to speak. Talking about these habits can prevent misunderstandings.