跨文化交际英文案例
跨文化交际英文版8 Understanding Culture
What is Culture
That complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, law, morals, custom and any otheired by man as a member of society. ---Edward B. Tylor
Define culture from different perspectives
From Intellectual Perspective From Anthropological Perspective From Social Perspective From Intercultural Communication Perspective
From Social Perspective
Culture is what a society does and thinks.
Culture covers everything of a society.
From Intercultural Communication Perspective
Culture is a learned set of shared interpretations about beliefs, values, and norms, which affect the behavior of a relatively large group of people.
Movie to Watch
Mexican American Culture vs. Anglo-Saxon Culture
Self-check List
跨文化交际 英文作文
跨文化交际英文作文英文：Cross-cultural communication is a crucial skill intoday's globalized world. As someone who has lived in both China and the United States, I have experienced firsthandthe challenges and rewards of communicating across cultures.One of the biggest challenges is language. Even if both parties speak the same language, there can still be misunderstandings due to different idioms, slang, and accents. For example, in American English, the phrase"let's touch base" means to check in or catch up, but in Chinese, there is no equivalent phrase. This can lead to confusion and miscommunication.Another challenge is nonverbal communication. Different cultures have different norms for body language, eye contact, and personal space. For example, in China, it is common to stand very close to someone when speaking, whilein the United States, people tend to maintain more distance. This can make people from different cultures feel uncomfortable or even offended.However, when cross-cultural communication is done well, it can be incredibly rewarding. It can lead to new friendships, business opportunities, and a deeper understanding of different cultures. For example, when Iwas living in China, I made friends with a local family who invited me to their home for dinner. They taught me about Chinese customs and traditions, and I was able to share my own culture with them. It was a wonderful experience that would not have been possible without cross-cultural communication.中文：跨文化交际是当今全球化世界中至关重要的技能。
跨文化交际电影案例分析(全英文版)(文化沟通课程论文)
Case Analysis of Cross-cultural Communication Film [Abstract]：With the advent of the 21st century, the degree of globalization continues to strengthen,and the communication between regions and countries becomes more and more frequent. As is known to all, the cultures of different nationalities have their own characteristics, and it is precisely because of these multi-ethnic cultures that our colorful world is made up of. However, it is undeniable that the existence of cultural differences leads to constant conflicts in the process of cultural exchanges. Crash and Scrapping two movies, for example, this paper tells the conflict phenomenon in cross-cultural communication and on the causes of these problems, puts forward some constructive Suggestions.[keywords]：Intercultural communication，Cultural differences, cultural consensusCross-cultural communication refers to the information transfer and communication between different cultural units. It is the communication between people in different cultural backgrounds. Due to the cultural differences between different countries, communicators often cause conflicts in communicative activities such as language blending and cultural integration due to different cultural backgrounds. Through watching relevant films, the paper discusses and studies the causes of problems in cross-cultural communication, and puts forward ways to alleviate conflicts, promote harmonious and friendly communication between regions, and promote the prosperity and progress of world culture.I.Analyze the problems in cross-cultural communication（I）Interpersonal relationship differences -- take film scrapping as an example As we all know, Western culture tend to be individualist. Westerns tend to view individualism as a good thing and believe that people should rely on themselves as much as possible ——and they usually expect other people to do the same. As mentioned in the scrapping film, Xu datong succeeded through his own efforts and finally changed his social status and situation. Even the Chinese people still won the respect and admiration of the americans at that time.Westerns generally feel that the rights of individuals should not be subordinated to the needs of large group, or at least that individuals should have the right to decide for themselves whether to sacrifice their personal benefit for the sake of group.However, in the face of the facts, the Chinese people, the more important. Although in fact is the father for the son scraping, but Xu datong still take the initiative to take the responsibility to protect his father. Although he knew it was illegal to leave the child alone at home, xu datong still went to pick up his father after receiving a call from the police. It is because of the culturaldifferences between the two sides that led to the tragedy of the life of Xu datong's family.Westerns tend to believe that individuals should make decisions for themselves, and that individual should take credit and responsibility for what they have personally done.In the film, a colleague of Xu datong, instead of helping him escape unwarranted charges under the law, testifies in court that he abused his son. One of the important reasons why this happened is that americans advocate individualism, law and facts, and colleagues do not know about scrapping and saw Xu datong beat his son, which led to the tragedy in the movie.（II）Conflicts caused by cultural differences -- take movie Crash as an example Does a white farmer in Illinois have so much in common with a black banker in New York that what we say they all belong to the same culture?Obviously there will be many difference between these two people ——they live in different regions, have different jobs, have different ethnic background, and so forth .Throughout the movie, I'm impressed with the two black brother, came out from the coffee shop, one of the black has been complaining about discrimination against blacks, whites and another black didn't think so, but in the black complain, another black gradually produced a strong sense of identity, so they conducted armed robbery, hit-and-run, and so on a series of bad things.In fact, this story can reflect the parents' teaching to their children, whether white or black, if parents teach them from an early age that white is noble, will not swear, will not do wrong, black is rude, uncivilized, always doing wrong. Then the idea will be rooted in the idea of children, then white and black children can never be friends, the misunderstanding between white and black people will be deeper, the conflict between the two sides will become more and more fierce, I believe if things go on for a long time, will eventually lead to the inevitable riots.However, most likely there are many things that they share in common. For example, the schools they went to probably taught roughly the same kinds of courses, they probably watch many of the same TV programs, they live under the same government and legal system ,and they probably all speak the same language.As a result, even if these people look different on the outside, the ideas and information in their heads will have much in common. You should say that they are many different brands of computers that look different on the outside, but have a lot of the same software and data. It is these shared ideas that make a grou p of people into a culture , in fact, you should say that a “culture ”is essentially a group of people who carry many of the same ideas in their heads.Most modern societies believe that equality is a virtue.But there's no denying that every society still has hierarchy to some degree. In other words, some people have higher and more power than others. Thisinjustice is mainly reflected in the racial discrimination in the United States. In the movies, white people always have a higher status than black people, and black people are not respected by white people.Preserving good relationship and harmony between people, especially among one's ingroup and circle of acquaintance, is generally considered very important. so people generally try to avoid direct confilt. Therefore, in order to avoid conflicts, every one of us should master certain methods when conducting cross-cultural communication, so as to consciously carry out correct cross-cultural communication and promote the formation of a beautiful and harmonious society.II solutions to cross-cultural communication problems（I）Strengthen cross-cultural communication and learn from western culture Peace and good relation between nations, people and cultures need to be beased on mutual understanding. As you study English, you are learning how to be an ambassador who can serve as a bridge between China and the world, a translator who can help people of China and other countries better understand each other. The more you understand about intercultural communication, the more effectively you can serve as an ambassador for your own culture and as a bridge between your culture and others.When you are new to Chinese culture, this made it harder for you to understand why the other people acted as they did. When you really didn't understand what was happening, you should consider other possible explanations for the Chinese students' behavior instead of jumping to negative conclusions. To communicating with local people, you 'd better to improve the local language and learn as much as possible about local culture. Of course, you also need to learn something about intercultural communication and learned how to be a more effective intercultural communicator.As you learn about other culture there are two good habit you should cultivate right from the start. First, build the habit of consciously making an effort to avoid stereotypes. second, build the habit of making a conscious effort not to judge other cultures too quickly. one of the best way to manage our tendency to judge negatively is by cultivating the habit of describing things instead of evaluating them.（II）Interpreting what foreigners mean“Interpretation ”the process of deciding what foreigners' words and action mean and why they do what they do. However when you interpret the behavior of foreigners, you don't have so much cultural background information to help you understand their behavior, so you have to guess and use your imagination much more. If you interpret their behavior quickly, without thinking carefully and getting asmuch information as possible, it is very likely that your Interpretation will be at least partially wrong.The same three habits will help you be a more effective intercultural communication. First, get into the habit of consciously noticing that you are entering an intercultural encounter. Second, get into the habit of interpreting intercultural encounters more slowly, rather than jumping to conclusion quickly. The last but not least, get into the habit of thinking more consciously and carefully about the situation.（III）To become a good intercultural communicatorThere is no doubt that you will probably have to speak in English when you are interacting with Westerners .In fact, when people from two different cultures try to communicate with each other, at least one of them will almost certainly have to speak in some language other than his native tongue. Therefore to avoid the language gap problem and become a good intercultural communicator, you need to be aware of how speaking in a foreign language affect you and make a special effort not to let these negative affect how you interpret the words and actions of others.III.The conclusionAs I talk about culture in this passage, my goal is not to say that one culture is better or worse than another. Instead, our goal is to describe differences between culture,and try to come to a better understanding of Western and Chinese culture. Before one can evaluate a culture, one must understand it.Reference:I: A Book called Encounters With WesternersII: A Film called CrashIII: A Film called Scrapping。
跨文化交际Case 10分析英文版
• Mr. Tanaka,the general manager of a Japanese company in france,offered a great position to Mr.Legrand who is a French engineer of the company,unfortunately, after consideration ,Mr.Legrand refused the position which would bring him considerable personal financial benifits.Mr. Tanaka felt surprised by his decision.
Thank you
• Deeply infiuenced by this idea,Mr. Tanaka believes that Mr.Legrand who is his subordinate should obey him no matter what he puts forward,not to mention a great job with considerable personal financial benifits. • On the other hand, Mr. Tanaka is influenced by the idea of freedom,so he made the decision according to his willing and refused it .
• Each of these relationship, including those among friends (who differ, however slightly, in age in other indicants of status), presumes the existence and legitimacy of social hierarchy and the reciprocal, complementary obligations that each position in the hierarchy requires. The higher-status person in each pair must provide protection and consideration, while the lower-status person owes respect and obedience.
十二杯茶 跨文化交际英文作文
十二杯茶跨文化交际英文作文The Twelve Cups of Tea: A Cross-Cultural EncounterIn a bustling city, where the pace of life often leaves little room for pause, a small tea shop stood as an oasis of tranquility. It was here that a group of individuals from diverse backgrounds would gather, united by their shared love for the aromatic and soothing ritual of tea drinking. This is the story of their cross-cultural journey, woven through the threads of twelve cups of tea.The first cup was served to a young professional named Emily. As she held the delicate porcelain in her hands, the steam curling upwards, she couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity and anticipation. Emily had always been intrigued by the rich cultural traditions surrounding tea, but her fast-paced lifestyle had often left her little time to explore them. Today, however, was different.Across the table, a soft-spoken gentleman named Akira sipped his tea, his eyes closed in quiet contemplation. Akira had grown up in Japan, where the art of tea ceremony was revered as a sacred practice. He had come to this city in search of new experiences, eager to share his passion for the subtleties of tea with those whomight appreciate it.As their eyes met, a silent understanding passed between them. Emily listened intently as Akira shared the history and symbolism behind the tea they were enjoying, his words painting a vivid picture of a world she had only ever glimpsed through books and documentaries.The second cup was poured for Fatima, a young woman whose family had immigrated to the city from Morocco. As the aroma of the fragrant mint tea filled the air, Fatima's eyes lit up with a sense of nostalgia. She fondly recalled the long afternoons spent with her grandmother, sipping tea and sharing stories of their homeland.Sitting beside her was Liam, a local resident who had always been curious about the diverse cultures that made up his community. As Fatima described the intricate rituals and traditions surrounding Moroccan tea, Liam found himself captivated, his own preconceptions slowly melting away.The third cup was shared by Mei and Sanjay, two students who had become fast friends despite their different cultural backgrounds. Mei, hailing from China, and Sanjay, from India, bonded over their shared appreciation for the nuances of tea preparation and the role it played in their respective traditions.As they sipped their tea, they engaged in a lively discussion, comparing the delicate flavors and the unique brewing techniques they had learned from their families. Their conversation soon expanded to include the group, each member eager to share their own cultural perspectives and experiences.The fourth cup was savored by Aisha, a woman whose family had roots in Kenya. As she took a sip, she fondly recalled the earthy, robust teas she had enjoyed as a child, brewed over an open fire and shared with her extended family.Sitting beside her was Robert, a local businessman who had always been intrigued by the diverse cultures that made up his city. As Aisha shared the significance of tea in Kenyan traditions, Robert listened with rapt attention, his own preconceptions about tea being challenged and expanded.The fifth cup was poured for Luca, an Italian expatriate who had made this city his home. As he inhaled the fragrant aroma of the tea, he was transported back to the bustling piazzas of his hometown, where the ritual of drinking espresso was deeply ingrained in the fabric of daily life.Across from him sat Fatima, who had been captivated by Luca'sstories of Italian coffee culture. As they exchanged perspectives, they discovered unexpected similarities in the ways their respective cultures celebrated the social aspects of shared beverages.The sixth cup was shared by Hiroshi and Amina, two individuals who had met by chance at the tea shop and had quickly forged a connection. Hiroshi, a Japanese businessman, and Amina, a Sudanese artist, found themselves drawn to each other's stories and the unique ways in which tea was woven into the tapestry of their lives.As they sipped their tea, they engaged in a lively exchange, each sharing the nuances of their cultural traditions and the profound impact tea had on their daily lives. Their conversation soon blossomed into a deep appreciation for the diversity that surrounded them.The seventh cup was savored by Sophia, a young woman whose family had roots in Greece. As she held the delicate porcelain in her hands, she recalled the rich, aromatic brews that had been a staple in her grandparents' home, where the ritual of tea drinking was often accompanied by lively discussions and the sharing of family stories.Beside her sat Ahmed, a local community leader who had long been fascinated by the diverse cultural traditions that made up his city. As Sophia shared the significance of tea in Greek culture, Ahmedlistened intently, his own understanding of the beverage's global reach expanding with each passing moment.The eighth cup was poured for Tomas, a Colombian expatriate who had discovered a newfound appreciation for the art of tea drinking since moving to the city. As he savored the delicate flavors, he couldn't help but draw parallels to the vibrant coffee culture of his homeland, where the sharing of a cup was often a catalyst for deep and meaningful conversations.Across the table sat Mei, who had been delighted to learn about Tomas's cultural background. As they exchanged stories and perspectives, they discovered unexpected commonalities in the ways their respective cultures celebrated the social aspects of shared beverages.The ninth cup was shared by Fatima and Luca, who had found themselves drawn to each other's stories and the unique ways in which tea was woven into the tapestry of their lives. As they sipped their tea, they engaged in a lively exchange, each sharing the nuances of their cultural traditions and the profound impact tea had on their daily lives.Their conversation soon blossomed into a deep appreciation for the diversity that surrounded them, and they marveled at the ways inwhich a simple cup of tea could serve as a bridge between cultures.The tenth cup was savored by Hiroshi and Amina, who had discovered a shared passion for the art of tea brewing. As they exchanged tips and techniques, they found themselves captivated by the subtle differences in their respective traditions, each bringing a unique perspective to the table.Their discussion soon expanded to include the entire group, as each member shared their own unique insights and experiences. The air was filled with a sense of camaraderie and mutual understanding, as the group collectively celebrated the diversity that had brought them together.The eleventh cup was poured for Sophia and Ahmed, who had forged a deep connection over their shared fascination with the cultural traditions surrounding tea. As they sipped their tea, they engaged in a thought-provoking discussion, exploring the ways in which the beverage had shaped the social and political landscapes of their respective homelands.Their conversation soon turned to the role of tea in fostering cross-cultural understanding, and they marveled at the power of a simple cup to bring people from diverse backgrounds together, to share stories, and to forge new connections.The twelfth and final cup was shared by the entire group, a symbolic gesture of the bonds they had forged throughout their shared journey. As they raised their cups in a toast, they reflected on the richness of the experiences they had shared, the insights they had gained, and the deep appreciation they had developed for the diverse cultures that made up their community.In that moment, the twelve cups of tea had become more than just a ritual – they had become a testament to the power of cross-cultural exchange, a reminder that the simple act of sharing a cup can transcend boundaries and foster a deeper understanding of the world around us.。
跨文化交际案例和解析(英文)汇编
Case:In July of this year, the American CNN announced that, the preserved egg is the most lousy food. That made the Chinese people very angry, because the preserved egg is good food for most of Chinese people. Then Chinese people made a survey and declared that cheese is the most lousy food. Chinese people can't accept that the preserved egg is regarded as the most lousy food, on the other hand, the cheese is the food which is favoured by most of American people. But Chinese people think that cheese is too irritative. Both side cannot accept the food they selected. At the end of this case, the CNN reporters said sorry to Chinese people, but he said he would not eat the preserved egg.Analyses:This is a typical case reflects that different culture influences different people, and when they have to communicate, they have conflict.As we all know, different food depends on different place,different habits, different climate, and some other factors.For western people, eating is a kind of rational concept, they should getenough nutrition from the food they eat every day. They don't care the taste too much. From Los Angeles to New York, the beefsteak has only one kind of taste. But for perceptual Chinese people, eating is not only a process to get nutrition, but also is a kind of art to get satisfaction. They would make the food not only beautiful, but also very delicious.For Chinese people, maybe they can accept the taste of the cheese, but they can't like it, because they don't like this kind of food in their deep heart. Also, they can't accept that foreign people said the preserved egg is the most lousy food. In their mind, the preserved egg, like other foods they like, has nutrition and beautiful image together. For western people, the cheese, is also this kind of good food for them. So, this case happened in their communications. This conflict showed that, different countries have different culture. We should try to accept these differences, do our favours.By susan。
跨文化交际 英文作文
跨文化交际英文作文1. Wow, I remember the first time I traveled to a different country and experienced a completely new culture. It was so exciting and eye-opening to see how people lived their lives in such a different way.2. One thing that really stood out to me was the way people communicated. It was fascinating to see how language and gestures varied from one culture to another, and how important it was to be aware of these differences in order to avoid misunderstandings.3. Another aspect that I found interesting was the different customs and traditions that people followed. From the way they greeted each other to the way they celebrated special occasions, it was clear that culture played a huge role in shaping people's behaviors and beliefs.4. I also noticed how food played a significant role in cross-cultural communication. Sharing a meal with someonefrom a different culture was a great way to connect and learn more about their background and values.5. Overall, my experiences with cross-cultural communication have taught me to be more open-minded and respectful of others' differences. It's important to approach new cultures with curiosity and a willingness to learn, rather than judgment or preconceived notions.。
有关跨文化交际英文作文
有关跨文化交际英文作文英文，Cross-cultural communication is an essential aspect of today's globalized world. It involves interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds, which can be both enriching and challenging. Let me share some personal experiences to illustrate this.Once, during a business trip to Japan, I encountered a situation that highlighted the importance of understanding cultural nuances. In a meeting with Japanese colleagues, I noticed that they often nodded their heads while I was speaking. Initially, I interpreted this as agreement or understanding. However, later I realized that nodding in Japanese culture doesn't always signify agreement; it can also indicate attentiveness or politeness. This misunderstanding led to miscommunication, as I assumedtheir agreement when they were simply being courteous. This experience taught me the significance of interpreting non-verbal cues accurately in cross-cultural communication.Another instance occurred during a cultural exchange program in Brazil. While conversing with locals, I noticed they often stood close to me and used expressive gestures. At first, I felt uncomfortable with the proximity, as personal space boundaries vary across cultures. However, I gradually adapted and even found it refreshing to engage in such close, animated conversations. This experience taught me the importance of respecting and adapting to different cultural norms, even if they initially seem unfamiliar.中文，跨文化交际在今天全球化的世界中至关重要。
跨文化交际的英文作文
跨文化交际的英文作文English:Cross-cultural communication is an essential aspect of our globalized world. It involves interactions between people from different cultural backgrounds, where language, customs, beliefs, and norms can vary significantly. Successfully navigating these interactions requires understanding, respect, and adaptability.One significant challenge in cross-cultural communication is language barriers. For instance, during my travels in China, I encountered a situation where Istruggled to convey my dietary restrictions to a local chef. In English, I requested a vegetarian dish, assuming itwould be understood. However, the chef seemed perplexed,and I realized my mistake. I then tried using basic Mandarin phrases I had learned, such as "wǒ bù chī ròu" (我不吃肉), meaning "I don't eat meat." This helped bridge the communication gap, and the chef was able to prepare asuitable meal.Another aspect to consider is non-verbal communication. In many cultures, gestures, facial expressions, and body language convey meanings as much as words do. For example, a firm handshake is often seen as a sign of confidence and respect in Western cultures. However, in some Asian cultures, a softer handshake may be more appropriate, as a firm grip can be perceived as aggressive. Understanding these nuances is crucial for building rapport and avoiding misunderstandings.Moreover, cultural differences in communication styles can lead to misunderstandings. For instance, in some cultures, direct communication is valued, while in others, indirect communication is preferred to maintain harmony. During a business negotiation in Japan, I found that my straightforward approach was met with silence and nods, which I initially interpreted as agreement. However, upon reflection, I realized that my Japanese counterparts were being polite and non-confrontational, and their silence indicated they were considering my proposal rather thanagreeing outright.In conclusion, effective cross-cultural communication requires patience, empathy, and an open mind. Byrecognizing and respecting cultural differences in language, non-verbal cues, and communication styles, we can foster mutual understanding and build stronger relationshipsacross borders.中文：跨文化交际是我们全球化世界中至关重要的一部分。
跨文化交际案例和解析(英文)
Case:In July of this year, the American CNN announced that, the preserved egg is the most lousy food. That made the Chinese people very angry, because the preserved egg is good food for most of Chinese people. Then Chinese people made a survey and declared that cheese is the most lousy food. Chinese people can't accept that the preserved egg is regarded as the most lousy food, on the other hand, the cheese is the food which is favoured by most of American people. But Chinese people think that cheese is too irritative. Both side cannot accept the food they selected. At the end of this case, the CNN reporters said sorry to Chinese people, but he said he would not eat the preserved egg.Analyses:This is a typical case reflects that different culture influences different people, and when they have to communicate, they have conflict.As we all know, different food depends on different place,different habits, different climate, and some other factors.For western people, eating is a kind of rational concept, they should get enough nutrition from the food they eat every day. They don't care the taste too much. From Los Angeles to New York, the beefsteak has only one kind of taste. But for perceptual Chinese people, eating is not only a process to get nutrition, but also is a kind of art to get satisfaction. Theywould make the food not only beautiful, but also very delicious.For Chinese people, maybe they can accept the taste of the cheese, but they can't like it, because they don't like this kind of food in their deep heart. Also, they can't accept that foreign people said the preserved egg is the most lousy food. In their mind, the preserved egg, like other foods they like, has nutrition and beautiful image together. For western people, the cheese, is also this kind of good food for them. So, this case happened in their communications. This conflict showed that, different countries have different culture. We should try to accept these differences, do our favours.By susan。
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Case 1 Girl-nessAs a visiting professor in an American university, Zhang Hua was invited to give a lecture to a group of American students. He talked about university students in China. During the question-and-answer period after the lecture, one female student asked a question that surprised Zhang Hua. “When you talked about female students, you referred to them as girls. Why?”“Because they are girls. That’s what they are called,” Zhang Hua tried to answer, but he knew he did not really understand the intent of the question. “ I don’t quite understand your question, I’m afraid.”“In the States, we call ourselves ‘ women’ if we’re old enough to go to the university. Calling us ‘girls’ is insulting.”Do Chinese female college students prefer to be called women?Case 2Many years ago, a Chinese man showed a photo of his wife to some American visitors. Out of courtesy, they all said,” She is very beautiful.” Also out of courtesy, the man replied with what he would have done in Chinese under the circumstance,” Where! Where!” Quite taken aback, nobody said anything for a moment, until the most ingenious one among the visitors, taking another look at the photo, said, “Oh, everywhere!”What did the Chinese intend to mean by replying with “ Where! Where!”?Case 1 Girl-nessAs a visiting professor in an American university, Zhang Hua was invited to give alecture to a group of American students. He talked about university students in China. During the question-and-answer period after the lecture, one female student asked a question that surprised Zhang Hua. “When you talked about female students, you referred to them as girls. Why?”“Because they are girls. That’s what they are called,” Zhang Hua tried to answer, but he knew he did not really understand the intent of the question. “ I don’t quite understand your question, I’m afraid.”“In the States, we call ourselves ‘ women’ if we’re old enough to go to the university. Calling us ‘girls’ is insulting.”Do Chinese female college students prefer to be called women?Case 2Many years ago, a Chinese man showed a photo of his wife to some American visitors. Out of courtesy, they all said,”She is very beautiful.”Also out of courtesy, the man replied with what he would have done in Chinese under the circumstance,”Where! Where!”Quite taken aback, nobody said anything for a moment, until the most ingenious one among the visitors, taking another look at the photo, said, “Oh, everywhere!”What did the Chinese intend to mean by replying with “ Where! Where!”?Case 3 “I Just Wanted to Talk”.Wu tong was a graduate student in a Chinese university. Like many students these days, he was very keen on learning English. He would talk with English speakers as often as he could.One day, he saw a new foreigner on campus, Leonard Ramsay, and overheard him speaking English. When Mr. Ramsay finished speaking with the other person, he turned to go, but Wu Tong stopped him. He went up and said, “ You speak English, is thatright?”“Yes, why?”“I’d like to practise my English with you, if you don’t mind.”Mr. Ramsay looked a little annoyed. “ I prefer not to, if you don’t mind.”Case 4 An Unwanted Food ServiceDuring a lunch buffet at a conference in China, Wu Fa, the interpreter of the conference, sat with four foreign participants. They were having a good time talking. When Wu Fa stood up for more food, she asked whether she could bring anything back for them.Everyone thanked her and said “no”. A while later, Wu Fa came back with a plate full of food, and asked whether the others would like to have something from her plate.Again, the four others said , “No”.“ Oh, please take something, I can’t eat this much food myself.”The foreigners shrugged and one or two of them even frowned a little.Case 5 Simple Can Be SpecialWen Hong had an American professor in her economics class in China. She had given the professor a lot of help during the course. At the end of the semester，the professor and his wife invited her to their home for dinner. They said they were going to cook her an American meal.Wen Hong felt very flattered and excited，since McDonald，KFC and Pizza Hut had been her only exposure to Western cooking.They had salad to start with，then steak with potatoes，followed by ice cream. Wen Hong had expected more courses but the meal came to an end. She knew the professor and his wife were being kind to her，but somehow she was a little disappointed. She wondered whether Americans do eat like that at home.Case 6 Chinese Coffee CustomsWhile studying in the United States, Lin Jun made a few American friends. One day he invited two of them to his apartment and cooked them a meal. When his friends said they would like some coffee, he started boiling some water. Without asking them any questions, he made three cups of3-in-1 coffee, the way he usually took it.Both friends tasted the coffee and frowned. One said she always took coffee black，the other said he preferred to have less sugar in his coffee. They also told him that the spoon is for stirring the coffee，not to drink from like he did. Lin Jun was embarrassed. He had thought that everyone drank coffee the same way as he did.Case 7 Noise from NoodlesJane and Peter were Chen Dong’s landlord and landlady when he was in the States. They had become good friends by the end of his one-year stay. They kept in touch with each other after Chen Dong returned to China. Jane and Peter decided to visit China soon after Chen Dong left the States.They made a special stop in Guangzhou where Chen Dong lives. Chen Dong had promised to show them around the city and let them try some authentic Cantonese food. One thing，in particular，he wanted them to try was noodles. He knew several restaurants that served good noodles and took the couple to one of them for lunch one day.Noodles typically come in soup in Cantonese cooking. Chen Dong started eating the noodles with chopsticks，while Jane and Peter exchanged a look at the noise that came with his eating. After a little hesitation，they asked for forks. A waitress told them that they did not have forks，and Chen Dong explained that noodle restaurants do not usually keep forks because no one would think of using forks for noodles.In the next half an hour，Jane and Peter had a hard time trying to roll the long noodles onto their chopsticks. Chen Dong said，“that’s not the way we eat noodles. You put the noodles directly to your mouth with your chopsticks.”“But that’s not the way we eat noodles，” Jane and Peter said, frowning. Case 8 Dinner in a Chinese HomeBesides taking Peter and Jane to restaurants, Dong Chen also invited them to his home for dinner once. Dong Chen ‘s mother is a nice wife, and made eight courses for four of them.“I'm sorry there isn’t much for dinner, she said.”“God this is much more than enough food,” Jane said. Peter was too overwhelmed to even respond to Dong Chen‘ motherDong Chen was a little embarrassed. “This is what we usually say to guests，even though there’s plenty of food” he explained．What bewildered Jane and Peter most was that though Dong Chen’s mother kept saying that the food was not good，she constantly servedhelpings to Jane and Peter．Peter did not like two of the courses very much，and felt bad that his plate was full with whatever he would not be able to eat. At seeing Dong Chen's mother’s next move to serve him food，he said in a begging voice，“Please don’t give me any more food．Let me do it myself．Case 9A Not-sociable DrinkMartin was sent by an American company to work in a special economic development zone in China for a year. He became very friendly with a few Chinese colleagues. Soon, he started to go out with them. He noticed that Chinese like to have something , such as peanuts, when they have beer, instead of just drinking beer without anything to eat as many North Americans do.One day he was invited to a dinner party to celebrate a colleague’s birthday. They ordered alcoholic beverages and toasted the guest of honor frequently. Soon Martin realized that the plan was to get their friend drunk. Each colleague would offer a toast, concluding with a cheery “ gan bei!” and tried to get Martin to join in, even though he was unwilling to do it. Martin didn’t think it a good idea, and tried to talk them out of the game. However, he was accused of not being a good friend for not co-operating.Martin remained an outsider during the rest of the dinner. He was getting increasingly worried as he watched the poor guest become increasingly inebriated.Case 10 A Misunderstanding at a Dinner TableRoger was a student majoring in East Asia Studies in an American university. He started an correspondence with Zhang Li, a sociology major in China, who was introduced to him through a mutual friend.Upon graduation, Roger got a big gift from his grandfather. Grandpa would pay for a round-trip ticket to China. He told Zhang Li the good news, and the two decided to meet.Zhang Li decided to give Roger a very special welcome: she and the three women students in her dormitory would cook him an authentic Chinese meal, as Roger had told her that he loved Chinese food.However, when Roger was presented the dinner, he was almost terrified by some of the food: pork stomach soup, pig liver with ginger and spring onion, chicken with mushrooms in which the chicken had been cut to pieces with bones attached to the meal.Fortunately , there were courses like tofu, stirred fried beef, steamed fish and vegetables that Roger loved. He tried to stick to them but Zhang Li kept putting food he did not like on his plate. When she asked how he liked the liver, Roger said, “ It’s very unusual…and interesting. “ This seemed to make Zhang Li happy. And she gave him more liver. Roger tried to stop her, but she would not be stopped. Roger was so frustrated that he told her that he did not really like it that much. “ But you said it was unusual andinteresting!”Zhang Li said. “ Well, they both mean something less than positive,” Roger said carefully, trying not to hurt their feelings.Zhang Li and her friends became concerned at this.”“So you don’t like the food?” I’m not used to eating liver, that’s all. But I do like the chicken, the beef, the tofu, and the vegetables. I have had more than enough to eat. I never make this much food at home,” Roger was eager to let them know how much he appreciated their effort. “Trust me, I’m enjoying the food. I know what I like.”Having said that, he found a piece of chicken that was less bony, held it in his hand to eat it, and then licked his fingers. Zhang Li and her friends looked at each other in shock.It was not a perfect first meeting for either Zhang Li or Roger.Case 11 Over-dressed TouristsAs a van stopped in front of Niagara Falls, a group of Chinese officials streamed out. They were dressed in suits and ties, wearing leather shoes. Many of the men also had left the manufacture’s tag on the sleeve of their suit jacket. As they wandered around Niagara Falls, some of them started to smoke. Their attire drew the stares of North American tourists, some of whom quietly laughed with their friends and pointed at the Chinese visitors. Others frowned at seeing the smoking and shook their heads in disapproval. Case 12 Tie CultureJane was a tourist and spent some time staying with a Chinese friend at her home. They watched a children’s porgram while having breakfast one morning. A young man, the host of the program, gave instructions of a game to a few children, and then joined them running in a circle.“My, he’s wearing a tie and running crazy with the children!” Jane exclaimed.The Chinese friend shrugged,”Is this very unusual?”Case 13 An American in ChinaProfessor Smith and his assistant，Chen Ming，were doing fieldwork in a small city in China. It was hot and humid, and both were casually dressed. One evening as they were leaving for dinner，a local administrator told them that the mayor of the city, who was interested in the type of research they were doing, would like to say hello to Professor Smith. As luck would have it，the Mayor was dining in the same restaurant as Smith and Chen Ming.Professor Smith said he had to go back to his room to change.“You look fine，Come on，the mayor is waiting，”the administrator said.“No, I can’t meet the mayor in my shorts”Case 14 The Generosity of a Chinese StudentMatt was invited to a Chinese university to give a few lectures. During his short stay there, a graduate student volunteered to show him around the city. Matt accepted the offer gratefully. It was summer and soon both Mattand the graduate student began to get quite hot. While Matt took some pictures, the graduate student went to buy some drinks.“Thank you. How much do I owe you?” Matt asked.“Nothing.” The student smiled.“ Are you sure?”“Yes.”At lunchtime, Matt suggested they have a quick meal. They stopped by a McDonald. Again, the graduate student tried to pay for Matt.“No, this is my treat. You’re a student, I’m a professor. You’ve given me the time to show me around. You already paid for my drink. I can’t let you pay for my lunch again.”Case 15 A Gift from a Chinese StudentXie Dong did his graduate study in an American university. He came back to China for summer vacation. When he went back to his program, he paid his supervisor a visit and presented him a gift.The professor opened the gift. It was a ginseng with its many tiny roots spreading out in a very artistic pattern. It clearly was an expensive gift.The professor’s eyes shone at the ginseng, but he then began to feel uneasy. “Xie Dong, I appreciate your kindness, but I can’t take this as a gift.”“ Why? Don’t you like it?” It was Xie Dong’s turn to be uneasy now.“ Oh, sure, I love it. But I can’t accept it.”“Why?”“ Because I didn’t do anything to deserve such a gift.”Case 16 Telephone CourtesyKathy and David, a couple from the US, signed a one-year contract to work in China. Both were extroverted and soon made some Chinese friends.Before long, people started calling them at home. David was sometimes away on business trips for a few days, and if someone looked for him, Kathy often would find the conversation awkward.“ Where did he go?” The caller typically would ask.“Can I pass on any message?” Kathy asked politely, trying to avoid the question.“Is he out of town?” The caller was usually very persistent.“Yes, can I help you in any way?” Kathy tried to be polite, but she could not help feeling uncomfortable.Case 17 “Not So Close, Please”He Jia had lived in the United States for 7 years before she came back to work in China. She found that she had become accustomed to social habits in North America and that some Chinese behaviours now caused her some discomfort. For example, one day, back in China, she was in a queue to use an ATM. She had noticed that people were standing very close to each other. In fact, the person behind her could, if she or he wanted, to see her enter the PIN of her ATM card. He Jia wanted to make people aware of the discomfortof the user by keeping her distance from the person in front of her. However, the people behind her pushed her to move forward.Case 18 The Privacy of the PageSimon and Cheng Feng often studied together to prepare for exams. One day, in the middle of a study session, Simon said he wanted to get a coffee. He asked Cheng Feng if he wanted any, but he said, “No”. When he came back, he found Cheng Feng reading his notes. He was upset and, although he didn’t say anything at the time, he never studied with Cheng Feng again. Cheng Feng noticed the change and wondered what had happened.Case19 The Privacy of PhotographsRose invited Lili to her home one day. While they were having coffee, Rose showed Lili a few pictures of her boyfriend in a photo album. Lili casually turned to other pages after that.Rose stopped her, “I’d rather you not look at other pictures.”Lili was embarrassed, and apologized, “I’m sorry.”Case 20 The Privacy of PriceAfter living in the States for some time, Ping Li observed that Americans like to comment on each other’s looks and clothes. So when she saw a fellow graduate student wearing a nice dress at a party, shecomplimented her by saying. “This is a very beautiful dress.”“Oh thank you , I bought it last year before Christmas ,” the student very pleased.“How much was it?” Ping Li asked.“Well I don’t quite remember,” the student seemed unprepared for the question, and answered a little hesitatingly.Case 21 The Privacy of the PersonZou Qing and Nancy became friends after they met in a course they both took．Nancy had had gray hair much earlier than people of the same age，and had been dyeing her hair for several years.While they were having a break one day in between two classes, and Zou Qing noticed that Nancy had some invisible gray hair on her. She told her so, but Nancy changed the topic right away.When everyone else left，Nancy said to Zou Qing，“Please don’t mention my gray hair while there were men around.”Case 22 Unacceptable CuriosityMr and Mrs Peterson came to China with a tour group. One evening, they decided to take a walk outside their hotel. They soon noticed that quite a few people stared at them. One man even quickly walked past them and then turned back to look at them several times. Both Mr and Mrs Peterson felt uncomfortable about the staring and went back to the hotel sooner than they had planned.Case 23 Confusion in Communicating LoveLe, a Chinese woman, and Bill, an American man, were very much in love. Their relationship started with their shared interest in photography. As time went on, however, Le became dependent on Bill whenever she wanted to take a picture, because she felt that Bill was a much better photographer than she was. Whenever she noticed a scene that would make a good image, she would ask Bill to take the picture for her.Bill was not very pleased but did not say anything for a while. However, Le soon got to a point where she began to ask Bill to load and unload the film. Bill decided that it was too much for him to bear. He exploded, “What’s the matter with you? Don’t you know how to load and unload a film? Can’t you take a picture any more?”Le was so shocked that she burst into tears. “I ask you to do things only because you do it better than me. What’s wrong with that?”Case24 Unwanted AttentionTeresa is a Chinese American teaching English temporarily at a Chinese university. She is very easy going, and soon the students got to know her well enough to invite her out regularly.Crossing the very busy and wide streets in the city was a scary experience for Teresa, and she complained of it repeatedly. As a result, the female students began to try to help her by taking her hand or grasping her arm while the male students seemed to be shy about protecting her.Teresa was uncomfortable with her female students touching her, and told the women they did not need to do it. Her female students thought she was being polite and continued to take care of her the same way. Teresa became so uncomfortable that she tried to move away from her female students whenever they had to cross the road.Case 25 Holding HandsChris was a visiting professor in China. On one day, one of his students, Sun Hui, showed him around the city. Sun Hui soon noticed that Chris was interested in taking pictures of men that were walking arm-in-arm or touching each other when they talked.“ I don’t see anything special about those men,” Sun Hui said curiously.“ Well, we don’t see much of that in men in the States,” Chris said,“ They’re gay, aren’t they?”Case 26 Friendship MisunderstoodYan Hong was a Chinese painter who immigrated to the United States. She met Jenny, an American physician in a club one day. They soon became friends, and sometimes went out for coffee and lunch together.One day, Jenny gave Yan Hong a very beautiful vase. Yan Hong loved the vase very much, and felt she should give Jenny something in return. So she gave Jenny a painting she brought from China. Jenny was very pleased.A few days later, Jenny invited Yan Hong to her home for the first time. They made dinner together and enjoyed the meal a lot. Then they sat down to watch TV. When Jenny tentatively held Yan Hong’s hand, Yan Hong was not aware of anything unusual. However, when Jenny sat closer to her and kissed her, Yan Hong was terrified. She pushed Jenny away and cried, “ I’m not a lesbian!”Jenny was in shock, and asked accusingly, “ Then why didn’t you tell me earlier?”Case 27 Learning about FlirtingChen Qing was a visiting scholar in an American university. He had made some friends with professors and students there. One day he went to a party where the atmosphere became less and less inhibited. Chen Qing noticed that men and women touched each other a lot more than he was used to. At the end of the party, most people hugged each other good-bye. One woman came to hug Chen Qing, but he stiffened as she attempted to give him a hug. He had never hugged any women except his wife in his life. Other women noticed this, and no one else tried to hug him.However, Chen Qing felt left out when people hugged each other but not him. He found himself in a very awkward situation: he didn’t want to be hugged, neither did he want to be left out. He did not know what he wanted or how to resolve his conflicting emotions.Case28 Lost in LoveLi Ying fell in love with an American man in her second year in the United States. They spent a lot of time together. After they had been to all the places of interest in the city, they had to decide where to go or what to do for the next date. John typically would ask Li Ying, “ What do you want to do today?” , or “ Where shall we go?” Li Ying would sometimes tell what she wanted, but more often than not, she would say “It’s up to you”, or“ Whatever you want to do”, or “ Wherever you want to go.”John frowned at such responses several times until one day when Li Ying said “ up to you” again. “For God’s sake, tell me what you want to do!” He cried out loud.Li Ying was shocked at his reaction. “ Isn’t it clear to you? I’ll do what you want to do.”“ No, it isn’t clear at all. I want to know what you want to do!” John was almost angry. “ Don’t you realize that sometimes I want to do what you want to do, too?”Case 29 Lovers Become StrangersXiao Xin and Peter are newly-weds. Though they spent a lot of time with each other before getting married, they never really lived together. Notsurprisingly, their marriage was followed by a series of minor problems while they tried to adjust to each other’s ways of life. One difficult issue came up about two months after their new life, when Peter came home from work looking unhappy.“ What happened?” Xiao Xin asked.“Nothing much, I’m just very tired,” Peter said.“I can tell that it’s more than that.”Peter gave Xiao Xin a quiet look, went into the bedroom, and threw himself to bed.Xiao Xin followed him in. “Don’t you want to talk about it?”“No, I don’t.”“Perhaps I can help?” Xiao Xin suggested.“ Xiao Xin, sometimes you just have to give me some space. All I need now is some privacy!” Peter yelled.Xiao Xin was in shock. “Don’t you trust me?”“Geez, it’s not a matter of trust! Can’t you accept the fact that talking to you isn’t the solution to every one of my problems?” Peter was becoming frustrated and impatient.Xiao Xin was in tears. Her husband seemed to have become a stranger to her.Case 30 A Gift of SelfZhang Ge and Simon were head over heels in love with each other. They decided to go away to spend a major holiday somewhere. It was winter time, so they flew south in search of sunshine and warm water.However, Simon developed diarrhea soon after they settled in a hotel. He felt weak and had to lie down for a rest. Zhang Ge was worried and stayed him in the room. Outside the window, the sun was shining, and they could hear the surf. The sun and beach is what they had dreamed about for months during the winter back home.“Go and have some fun,” Simon said to Zhang Ge.“ How can I go and have fun while you’re sick in bed?”“Why not, it’s not your fault that I’m sick. Besides, there’s nothing you can do here.”“Nonsense! I can keep your company, and you’ll feel better with me around you.”“Are you sure you want to do this instead of going out?”“Yes, I’m sure. I won’t go without you.”“Oh, you’re so special. I love you so much!” Simon drew Zhang Ge near and kissed her.Case 31 A Close GirlfriendLiu Hong and Wu Xin have been good friends since they were young girls. Both eventually had the opportunity to study in the United States,although they ended up in two different cities. After their first year of hard work, they decided to do some traveling together. Liu Hong went to stay with Wu Xin for two days before they set off. Then they visited three cities over the next 10 days.Liu Hong came back from the trip and told her American friends about the trip. She casually mentioned that they had to share one bed in one particular motel.“ Oh, did you?” , said one of the friends in a tone that made Liu Hong feel uncomfortable.Case 32 Interpreting a Smile. Peter is the general manager of an American company in China. Recently, Chen Jun, one of the Chinese managers made a mistake at work that caused some difficulties that required a lot of effort to fix. Chen Jun was very upset about what had happened, and came to Peter’s office to make a formal apology.Chen Jun went into Peter’s office after being told to, smiling before he spoke. “ Peter, I’ve been feeling very upset about the trouble I’ve caused for the company. I’m here to apologize for the mistake. I’m terribly sorry about it and I want you to know that it will never happen again.” Chen Jun said, looking at Peter with the smile he had been wearing since he walked into the office.Peter found it hard to accept the apology. He looked at Chen Jun, and asked, “ are you sure?”“ Yes, I’m very sorry and I promise this won’t happen again,” Chen Jun said, with a smile even broader than before.“I’m sorry I just can’t take your apology. You don’t look sorry at all!” Peter said angrily.Chen Jun’s face turned very red. He did not in the least expect Peter to take it negatively. He was desperate to make himself understood. “ Peter, ”he managed to smile again, “ trust me, no one can feel any more sorry than I do about it.”Peter was almost furious by now, “ if you’re that sorry, how can you still smile?”Case33 Interpreting a LaughHuihua, a Chinese student, and Mary , an American student studying Chinese in China, were on their way to a bookstore. As they got to the bookstore, they saw a young man walking down a flight of stairs. In his hurry, he missed the last two steps, and fell on the ground. He struggled to get back to his feet while people around him laughed. Fortunately, he seemed to be O.K.Mary was worried. She found Huihua smiling a little and was not comfortable about it. Tell me, Huihua, how could people laugh whensomeone fell like that? Do they care at all? Shouldn’t they go up and ask the young man whether he was hurt?”Huihua said, “ they knew he wasn’t hurt too much.”“ But I still don’t understand. A fall is a fall. In my culture, people would do anything but laugh!”Case 34 Different Lunch BoxesPeter was one of the American technicians who came to China to help set up a coffee plant. He was in China for six months．Before leaving for home，one of his Chinese colleagues took him out to dinner. Peter decided to ask him a question that had puzzled him for as long as he worked in the plant．Why is it that the Chinese workers have stainless boxes for their lunch，while us foreigners have lunch put in the disposable plastic boxes?”The Chinese colleague smiled，“It’s because the plastic boxes are more convenient；they are disposable．With the stainless boxes, you have to wash them after every meal.”But Peter was not convinced．“I don’t think so．Stainless boxes are much better than plastic boxes．They look more professional, they are more durable, and they protect your lunch better.。