One of the more difficult things Japanese people come across when learning English is factoring in cultural differences.
Some things translate well between the Japanese and American cultures, while other things can be confusing.
For example, things that translate well are sushi, chopsticks, and baseball. This is probably because they have these things in both countries.
Some things that may not translate as well are the fashions and music.
One of the more difficult cultural differences people may have to understand is making a definitive decision and giving their opinions on why they made that choice.
For example:
Which do you like better? Baseball or soccer?
Will Donald Trump be a good president? Why or why not?
There should be mandatory military service for all Japanese young people between the ages of 18-24. Do you agree or disagree?
I think Summer is the best season of the year. What do you think?
Some people say that 21 should be the legal driving age around the world. How do you feel about that?
Can you answer these questions? Can you choose one side and disagree with the other? Can you give your opinions on why you made that decision?
In America, people always give their opinions and choose sides to argue for, whether they are asked to or not. This sometimes leads to new developments and ideas, while other times this could lead to chaos.
So the next time someone asks you to make a decision or give your opinion, feel free to speak your mind and give a truthful answer. You might be surprised with the results.
・ mandatory: 強制的な
・ military service: 兵役
・ choose sides: 2組に分かれる
