As an English language teacher, I have come into contact with many different cultures. Now, let's see some of my interesting and special experiences.
When some Saudi Arabian students invited me to their houses for meals, we sat on the floor to eat. When I complimented(赞美) a student on his smart coat, he offered it to me! That seems to be the expected response in some parts of the Arab world. When I asked a Saudi student when his birthday was, he said he didn't know. I kept asking him the same question, thinking he didn't understand, but the problem was that in some parts of the Arab world, people simply don't celebrate their birthdays.
When I was invited to a meal by some Japanese students. I was shocked that I had to take my shoes off before going into the house. I have noticed that when I ask Japanese students a question, they often don't say anything until they have the answer. The silence is longer than we expect in English culture, where you normally make some kind of noise to show that you are thinking about the questions.
We had a group of Chinese teachers here. They made their tea in their cups. Boiling water was added to the same leaves when they wanted another cup of tea. I found this interesting because we make our tea in a teapot, using boiling water. But new leaves or teabags are used every time we want another pot of tea. And we usually put milk or sugar in the tea.
Cultural differences haven't brought me any real problems. They just make life interesting.
| Interesting cultural differences | in Saudi Arab | to those who compliment them |
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| in Japan | before entering the house | |
| while answering questions | ||
| in China | make tea in | |
| make another cup of tea with the same tea leaves |
