Explaining Japanese culture to British friends

Everyday English Conversations

A printable worksheet for conversation-based English lessons.

Difficulty: Intermediate B1

PDF: Explaining Japanese culture to British friends

Warm-up

Have you ever explained your culture to someone from another country?

Vocabulary Match

included •• interested
upright •• politeness
silence •• quiet
manners •• extra money
tipping •• part of
curious •• straight up

Vocabulary Answers

includedpart of
uprightstraight up
silencequiet
mannerspoliteness
tippingextra money
curiousinterested

Conversation

Fill in the blanks with words from above.

James and Kenji discuss key aspects of Japanese culture, like public manners and dining etiquette, highlighting differences from British customs.
James:Kenji, I've always been ________, what's something important to know about Japanese culture?
Kenji:One big thing is ________, especially in public. For example, people don't talk loudly on trains.
James:Oh, really? I guess that's quite different from the UK!
Kenji:Yeah, ________ is seen as polite. Also, ________ isn't a thing in Japan.
James:No tipping? That's surprising. Why not?
Kenji:Service is already ________ in the price, and good service is expected without extra payment.
James:I see! Any other big differences?
Kenji:A few things! Never stick chopsticks ________ in rice, and don't pass food from chopstick to chopstick - it reminds people of funeral customs.
James:Wow, I had no idea! I'll try to remember that next time we eat Japanese food.
James:Kenji, I've always been curious, what's something important to know about Japanese culture?
Kenji:One big thing is manners, especially in public. For example, people don't talk loudly on trains.
James:Oh, really? I guess that's quite different from the UK!
Kenji:Yeah, silence is seen as polite. Also, tipping isn't a thing in Japan.
James:No tipping? That's surprising. Why not?
Kenji:Service is already included in the price, and good service is expected without extra payment.
James:I see! Any other big differences?
Kenji:A few things! Never stick chopsticks upright in rice, and don't pass food from chopstick to chopstick - it reminds people of funeral customs.
James:Wow, I had no idea! I'll try to remember that next time we eat Japanese food.

Quiz

  1. What is one important aspect of Japanese culture that Kenji mentions?
  2. How are people expected to behave on trains in Japan?
  3. Why is there no tipping in Japan?
  4. What should you avoid doing with chopsticks in Japan?

Quiz Answers (examples)

  1. Manners, especially in public.
  2. People don't talk loudly; they remain quiet.
  3. Because service is included in the price and good service is expected.
  4. Never stick chopsticks upright in rice and don't pass food from chopstick to chopstick.

True or False

  1. Silence is considered polite in Japan. T F
  2. Tipping is common in Japan. T F
  3. Passing food from chopstick to chopstick is a normal practice in Japan. T F

True or False Answers

  1. True
  2. False
  3. False

Discussion

  1. What is something unique about your culture that you would share with a friend?
  2. Have you ever been surprised by a custom from another country?
  3. What is your favorite Japanese food?
  4. Do you think silence is polite in public?
  5. How do you feel about tipping in restaurants?

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