PR. Module 11A. Pronunciation Practice. Culture Shock
This activity is NOT for Evaluation.
Read the text as you listen. Identify difficult words for you, and find their meaning in a dictionary.
Moving abroad means encountering customs that operate differently, abruptly, or even unthinkably from home. Here’s how everyday situations vary drastically across four countries:
💼 Salary Discussions
In Japan, employees rarely discuss salaries openly; inquiries are made indirectly to avoid seeming boastful.
In the Netherlands, colleagues share pay details transparently—asking "Hoeveel verdien je?" ("How much do you earn?") is perfectly normal.
🍜 Food Customs
In India, hosts serve spice-heavy curries generously, expecting guests to eat enthusiastically with their hands. Refusing seconds is politely declined.
In Finland, meals are eaten quietly; talking while chewing is firmly discouraged. Reaching across the table is considered extremely rude.
👔 Addressing People
In South Korea, juniors bow deeply to seniors and use titles respectfully (e.g., "Kim seonsaengnim" for "Teacher Kim"). First names are strictly avoided.
In Australia, coworkers greet bosses casually—"G’day, Dave!"—and nicknames are used affectionately, even in formal settings.
💰 Tipping Systems
In the USA, customers tip obligatorily (15–25%) because servers earn shockingly low wages ($2.13/hour before tips).
In Japan, tipping is firmly refused; excellent service is given proudly without extra pay. Offering cash can cause visible discomfort.
Culture Shock in Action:
Imagine Luca, an Italian engineer in Tokyo:
He nervously avoids salary talks, while his Dutch colleague asks bluntly.
He eats curry gingerly with chopsticks (not hands!), shocking his Indian host.
He accidentally calls his manager "Kenji" (not "Suzuki-san") and receives a coldly silent response.
He leaves a tip discreetly at a sushi bar—only to have the chef chase him apologetically to return it.