Month: June 2017

[UK] 7. About The Drinking Culture お酒を飲む文化について

Drinking alcohol is an activity that is enjoyed globally. In the USA in 2013, at least 50% of people said they drank in the last month and approximately 70% drank in the last year according to the NIAAA Alcohol Facts and Statistics[1] page. I suspect that people drink more in the UK. According to an online Guardian news article[2], a group of UCL students did a report and found that my home county (not country), Yorkshire and Humber, drinks the most in the UK at between 15 to 25 units per week. Before talking about the cultural differences, it’s worth noting that a 2014 Japan Times’ article “Dealing With Addition”[3] on says that according to a health ministry research team, potentially 10 million people in Japan have a dependency problem with alcohol. This number has increased by 300,000 in the last decade and only 50,000 people are receiving treatment. Apparently, they seek help when it becomes too severe. But even though many Japanese people have a drinking problem or drink too much, they believe it’s normal and fine.

British people usually drink a lot too, but it’s most noticeable on the weekend when everybody goes to the pub to watch football games together. Many people drink from Lunch to Evening and then head home to relax. It’s a strange culture, and maybe it’s bigger in my home county than in other counties in the UK, but it’s not something new.

In Japan I think more people tend to go out and drink any day of the week. I think it also depends on their situation at work with coworkers and bosses. Going to the local Izakaya after work seems like normal everyday life, or even something that is seen as necessary to keep a good friendly relationship with people at work. We have to be careful and it’s important that we understand how much alcohol is harmful to our bodies no matter how fine we think we are.

[1] Alcohol Facts and Statistics | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/alcohol-facts-and-statistics

[2] How Much Alcohol Do We Really Drink? http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2013/feb/27/how-much-alcohol-do-we-really-drink

[3] Dealing With Addition: Japan’s Drinking Problem

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2014/08/30/lifestyle/dealing-addiction-japans-drinking-problem/#.VpWvfkuPdtE

  1. Do you know anybody with a drinking problem?
  2. Do you drink? How much? Do you think it’s healthy?
  3. What do you think about the drinking culture in Japan?
  4. Do you know any foreign drinking cultures? What do you think of them?
  5. How can we help people? Do you think it’s possible?

：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：
英語が話せる！「SEI新宿英会話教室」 http://www.sayinsei.com/

♦〒160-0022 東京都新宿区新宿2-8-1 新宿セブンビル 606
♦メール: sei@kaonnuri.com　TEL: 03-5925-8247

[UK] 6. Spitting つばを吐く

There is a habit that the people of every country have, “Spitting” 「つばを履く」This habit is not specific to one age, generation, gender or race. It’s just a habit and many people say it’s a bad habit. I don’t want to say whether it’s a good thing or a bad thing because I know that people do it for a reason. But I think we should definitely be careful about where we do that kind of thing, especially in public places.

We often see spitting on TV in football games. In the UK, this habit is seen most often in the streets but it’s mostly young people that do it. The older generation sees it as something we should never do. In China, Japan and Korea, it seems some people do it openly in the streets too. I even heard some Chinese people use bags if they’re on a bus or train. But in East Asia, especially in Japan, I notice more older people doing it than younger people. In fact, one time I saw an old Japanese cleaner spit on Shinjuku Kabuki-chou’s bridge wall while cleaning it. I couldn’t believe it! To me it seems like the older generation does it more than the younger generation in Japan.

  1. Have you ever seen somebody spit?
  2. What do you think about spitting?
  3. Do you think it’s necessary to spit sometimes? Is it okay sometimes?
  4. Is it fine to do it in public, where people are walking or standing?
  5. Do you think spitting should be accepted? Do you spit?

：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：
英語が話せる！「SEI新宿英会話教室」 http://www.sayinsei.com/

♦〒160-0022 東京都新宿区新宿2-8-1 新宿セブンビル 606
♦メール: sei@kaonnuri.com　TEL: 03-5925-8247

[UK] 5. Smoking Culture in the UK and Japan イギリスと日本のタバコの文化

In the UK, smoking people have more freedom outside and less freedom inside than in Japan. For example, in the UK you can smoke almost anywhere outside. Recently people who smoke near building entrances are being restricted. The reason is because it is harmful to the people who just want to enter and leave a building, especially if they don’t smoke. Second hand smoking is a big topic recently.

On the other hand, around 10 years ago it became illegal to smoke in public buildings. This is related to second hand smoking again. People can’t control the air they breath, so people have to be more considerate when smoking. In Japan, it’s similar but there are many cafes, izakayas and similar places where smoking is not controlled properly. Some cafes control them by putting the smoking area in a room or on a different floor. But many cafes don’t have a door so the smoke travels into the non-smoking area. So it makes no difference in those cases. Smoking outside is stricter, particularly in cities such as Tokyo. I think it’s good to control smoking properly like that. Because we should respect people who don’t want to smoke. Secondhand smoking is actually more harmful than smoking.

  1. Do you smoke? Why?
  2. Have you experienced second hand smoking in Japan?
  3. What do you think about restaurants of cafes without proper smoking control?
  4. How do you feel about people who smoke near building entrances/exits ?
  5. Do you wish smoking and non-smoking should be the same area in cafes?

：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：
英語が話せる！「SEI新宿英会話教室」 http://www.sayinsei.com/

♦〒160-0022 東京都新宿区新宿2-8-1 新宿セブンビル 606
♦メール: sei@kaonnuri.com　TEL: 03-5925-8247

[UK] 4. Talking at the Register レジで話す

In the UK, people have conversations with the cashier at shops! It’s a common thing that most people don’t mind. Some enjoy doing it! I believe customer service is quite mixed in western countries. There are two types: formal and informal. I think Japan provides mostly formal service, while both types are visible in the UK.

I have experienced both types in Japan and the UK, so I think both countries have both types of service. But I noticed it’s more frequent in the UK. When the customer buys something, sometimes the cashier will make a comment about it. Sometimes they make a joke. One time, I was buying a lot of chocolate in the UK, and the cashier said, “Wow! That’s a lot of chocolate!” But I told her, “It’s not all for me, haha.” Actually I felt strange at that time because she thought I was going to eat it all! Informal service is risky sometimes because it can be rude!

Anyway, Japan is famous for high quality service and products, it’s a great thing and it’s not common around the world!

  1. Do you prefer a casual or professional experience at convenience stores?
  2. Would you be happy or annoyed if the cashier talked to you? Does it happen?
  3. What do you think about the cashier services in Japan?
  4. Do you have any interesting experience with foreign cashiers?
  5. How would you feel if the cashier commented on your food?

：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：
英語が話せる！「SEI新宿英会話教室」 http://www.sayinsei.com/

♦〒160-0022 東京都新宿区新宿2-8-1 新宿セブンビル 606
♦メール: sei@kaonnuri.com　TEL: 03-5925-8247

[UK] 3. Train Atmosphere 電車の雰囲気

While on the train in Japan, you can often feel that there is a certain atmosphere. People mostly only talk to acquaintances (知り合い). I think it’s not only on trains. It’s especially noticeable when the train gets stopped and delayed and this is why I can compare it.

People in Japan tend to stay focused on their phones (games, videos, facebook, twitter, etc) and I think talking to strangers in public is weird or unnatural for most people. In the UK, and most likely other western countries, especially America, talking to strangers is completely normal and nobody minds it. You can even have a casual chat, without knowing their name!

When trains are delayed or stopped in the UK, at least some people will begin talking to each other and sometimes even make new friends. It’s amazing how people come together in times like that in the UK. But most people don’t realise this characteristic about themselves and take it for granted. It’s probably even more common in the USA. In fact, I know it is.

  1. Are trains supposed to be quiet and relaxing, or loud ?
  2. Do you think phones and books affected our social time on trains?
  3. How do you act on trains?
  4. What do you think about eating on trains?
  5. Do you have any unbelievable experience on a train?

：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：
英語が話せる！「SEI新宿英会話教室」 http://www.sayinsei.com/

♦〒160-0022 東京都新宿区新宿2-8-1 新宿セブンビル 606
♦メール: sei@kaonnuri.com　TEL: 03-5925-8247

[UK] 2. Farewells in Japan’s Shops 日本でお客さんが帰る時に感じた事

Like with greetings in shops, Japan also differs from other cultures when saying farewell to customers, although not as much as with greetings. In the UK, we usually just say “thank you” to the customer after they purchase something. Shops in Japan also tend to part with customers by saying “thank you very much” whether they buy a product or not. That’s normal and not very different. But we also hear “we are waiting for your return” or “please come again.” That’s not something we often hear in the UK, if at all.

I don’t mind this difference though, I think it’s a nice way of appreciating the people who have entered and taken an interest in the brand or shop. However it does remind me of the point I made about greetings: I don’t enter a shop for the sake of the company or shop, I enter a shop for my own sake and to buy a product that I want or need. Although I suppose that depends on the person and not culture.

  1. Do you think Japan is too polite to customers, or not?
  2. Do you ever feel awkward when an employee is too polite or thankful?
  3. Do you prefer a casual or professional shopping experience?
  4. Are you happy when everybody says “thank you” together as you leave?
  5. Do you expect staff to say it as you leave? Is that a habit of yours?

：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：
英語が話せる！「SEI新宿英会話教室」 http://www.sayinsei.com/

♦〒160-0022 東京都新宿区新宿2-8-1 新宿セブンビル 606
♦メール: sei@kaonnuri.com　TEL: 03-5925-8247

[UK] 1. Greeting in Shops 日本のお店ではなぜいっらっしゃいませをいうのか

I was very surprised when I first came to Japan. When we enter a shop in Japan we are usually greeted by the staff with “いらっしゃいませ.” Also, it’s not only one staff member who says it. The “culture” (rule) is that everybody says it. I was very surprised because in the UK we don’t say anything when people enter shops. I think the way of thinking about business is different. If we think about the English translation, maybe we would say “welcome.” However, “welcome” in Japanese translates to “ようこそ,” which is not really used in this situation. いらっしゃいませ means something similar to “the customer is here” or “please come in” by exact translation of meaning, but I don’t think there is an exact translation by culture. When I checked the internet, many people say it means “how may I help you?” I think that is wrong because it comes from いらっしゃる which is a humble, honorific way of saying 来る／行く／いる(① come / ② go / ③ be).

As a British person, I think about myself when I go to a shop. I don’t think about buying a product for the company’s or shop’s sake. So I actually feel awkward, uncomfortable and a little stressed when I enter a shop and hear something overly welcoming such as “いらっしゃいませ” because then I feel bad if I leave without buying anything. It creates a strong “professional only” relationship with me, which makes me think they only care about my money. Being overly welcoming has a negative effect on me. As a customer, I just want to enter and leave a shop casually without worrying about formalities and politeness to that extent.

  1. What do you agree or disagree with?
  2. How do you feel in foreign countries in shops?
  3. Do you think it’s better that everybody says “irashaimase”?
  4. What do you think about casual business services?
  5. What would you change with customer service? (JPN, Other)

：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：：
英語が話せる！「SEI新宿英会話教室」 http://www.sayinsei.com/

♦〒160-0022 東京都新宿区新宿2-8-1 新宿セブンビル 606
♦メール: sei@kaonnuri.com　TEL: 03-5925-8247

【英語表現】113. Have a Sweet Tooth　甘党です

Have a Sweet Tooth: love to eat sweet foods.

Noriko: What is your favorite food.

Nina: Candy, donuts, anything with a lot of sugar. I have a sweet tooth.

*日本語では「甘党」（甘いもの好き）という意味です。

ノリコ「あなたの好きな食べ物は何ですか？」
ニナ「キャンディ、ドーナツ、お砂糖がいっぱいなものなら何でも。私は甘党なの」

=================================================
■ 英語が話せる！「SEI 新宿英会話教室」 http://www.sayinsei.com/
■ SEI 発音矯正コース: SEI 会話トレーニング : SEIビジネスコース

■ ＪＲ「新宿」駅から10分　■ 地下鉄「新宿3丁目」駅から3分
■ 〒160-0022 東京都新宿区新宿2-8-1 新宿セブンビル 606 ■