- While in India, you are at a home where the
host puts some food in front of you.
You are full - you have eaten more than you generally do
already today. What should you do?
-
Explain to your host that you are really full and can't
possibly eat another bite. Leave the plate untouched.
- Tell your host how delicious the food looks but that you will
need to wait awhile before eating it. Leave the plate untouched.
- Eat it (even if it means taking only a few bites and leaving
the rest.)
- Take it, pretend to eat it and throw it in the garbage when
your host isn't looking.
Response and rationale: In India,
excuses may be seen as "refusals"
which are considered impolite. According to Ranji James, (c ) is the
best response.
- You are sitting in a restaurant in Seoul and
your friend's glass is empty. He doesn't fill it. What should you do?
- Stop drinking your own drink.
- Nothing. Keep drinking your own
drink. If he is thirsty, he will drink.
- Order him a different drink.
- Fill his glass for him.
Response and rationale: In Korea, it would be
considered anti-social behavior
to fill your own glass. (D) would be the correct response.
When pouring, it is also important to pour the drink either
with two hands or with
the tips of the fingers of the left hand touching the right
arm (between the wrist or elbow.)
- You are making a presentation to a group of Korean
teachers. You want to ask a
question about the material you have just taught. Who do you ask?
- the person who looks the most enthusiastic
- the person who
looks the most introverted and who you feel needs to
participate the most
- the oldest male
- the person who is the furthest from you
Response and rationale: Generally, the first
question should be asked of the
eldest male.
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