Do you agree with the writer? Why? Give at least 3 examples to support your answer.
>I can agree with the writer but some of them we have to still discuss about this issues.
This article is really interesting for me. This writer gave me a different ways of thinking about learning English. I have heard a lot that people are ashamed that Japanese people's scores on the TOEFL/TOEIC are lowest in Asia. However, from this article, "That is the result of the country never having been colonized nor forced to speak another language" We can proud of not speaking English very well. There is lots of causes/reasons why Japanese people can not speak English well. One is Japan's never colonized as Nakahara said. I think the others are that Japanese language is enough to speak and have life in Japan and we do not have chances to meet to English speakers and speak to them in English especailly people who live in a country side.
If we starts learning English in their elementary school curriculum like China, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand, there is lots of stuff we have to be considered.
Now the school education system is changing. Children will start learning English from 5th grade of elementary school so soon. Now is the good time to think about this issues. I think English influent a world business more in a future and be able to speak English will be more required to people.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Class #11 Homework
This week's homework is to read an article from the Japan Times and give your opinion. http://search.japantimes.co.jp/member/member.html?ek20060110ks.htm
Do you agree or disagree with the author (who is Japanese). Please explain why in your blog.
>I agree with the author.
I can see easily that Japanese male ( maybe not only Japanese male but also foreign male) hesitate to get close, get committed and become that most coveted of conditions. I am female, so I can not understand completely or at all what male think about having a relationship. However, it seems like little bit weird for me. I think they like to hang out with female. but they do not want to involve in having a serious relationship? I have heard that American male does not want their girlfriend to ask 'Where are we? Where does this relationship go?' ( from American drama"FRIENDS") I think female want to have a step up with their relationship. On the other hand, male does not. They like to spend time together but... they do not understand why female wants to step up.
Out-of-love epidemic
>What was the guy thinking?
Female does not understand what male thinking. As the same way, male does not understand what female thinking. I can agree male act lile girls these days. I am wondering what makes them changed and how they acted before. Be more men. Now I am thinking what kind of act is men and what kind of act is female... I also agree with male value their privacy and live for jobs and hobbies. Even their girlfriend can not allowed to get in male's own personal space.
Heavy burden
>I have heard 'omoi' as marriage and child-rearing from tv drama and my friends. and the guy ended their relationship. Marriage is a big event and makes changing male's life but also change female's life. Male only think about themself and I think male who say like that has no responsibility and selfish. And maybe the guy does not love the woman so much. They will be alone forever.
I agreed with this author and wrote my opinions about this. However, I believe all males are not like this. Some of them are, but some of them are not. It is depend on people what they think about a relationship.
Do you agree or disagree with the author (who is Japanese). Please explain why in your blog.
>I agree with the author.
I can see easily that Japanese male ( maybe not only Japanese male but also foreign male) hesitate to get close, get committed and become that most coveted of conditions. I am female, so I can not understand completely or at all what male think about having a relationship. However, it seems like little bit weird for me. I think they like to hang out with female. but they do not want to involve in having a serious relationship? I have heard that American male does not want their girlfriend to ask 'Where are we? Where does this relationship go?' ( from American drama"FRIENDS") I think female want to have a step up with their relationship. On the other hand, male does not. They like to spend time together but... they do not understand why female wants to step up.
Out-of-love epidemic
>What was the guy thinking?
Female does not understand what male thinking. As the same way, male does not understand what female thinking. I can agree male act lile girls these days. I am wondering what makes them changed and how they acted before. Be more men. Now I am thinking what kind of act is men and what kind of act is female... I also agree with male value their privacy and live for jobs and hobbies. Even their girlfriend can not allowed to get in male's own personal space.
Heavy burden
>I have heard 'omoi' as marriage and child-rearing from tv drama and my friends. and the guy ended their relationship. Marriage is a big event and makes changing male's life but also change female's life. Male only think about themself and I think male who say like that has no responsibility and selfish. And maybe the guy does not love the woman so much. They will be alone forever.
I agreed with this author and wrote my opinions about this. However, I believe all males are not like this. Some of them are, but some of them are not. It is depend on people what they think about a relationship.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Class #10 Table Manners
Today we discussed table manners from all over the world. Please answer the following questions in your blog.
Have you ever eaten in a foreign restaurant? Where? What did you eat? Did you make any mistakes? Please explain your experience. Did you learn anything?
>Yes, I have eaten in a foreign restaurant when I was in America. I have been to restaurants in Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, New York, California, and Washington States. I also have eaten restaurants in Australia, but it was when I was a high school student and stayed for 3 weeks, so I do not remember it very well.
I only have been to casual restaurants not formal or expensive. So I think I did not make any big mistakes. Or maybe I did not notice my mistakes.
However, I always care into paying tip like how much is general tip or where to put. Actually I still am not sure where is the right place to put tips. Paying tips are not in Japanese manners or common practice so I was puzzled by it. I was surprised American cell phone has a calculator function to calculate tips. My American friends always use it when we put tips.
One more thing that I was surprised is a doggie bag. We do not have such a thing like doggie bags so I always try to eat all food on my plate. However, I do not need to do it, because I can ask for a doggie bag!! This is so nice system. I hope some restaurants in Japan start the service. In a class, to eat all food on own plate is rude in some country ( sorry i forfor which country). I thought eating everything and clean on my plate means the food was delicious. I learned there are lots of different table matters and rules for each country.
My American friend told me when he goes to eat at a Japanese restaurant in America, he feels little bit nervous more than going to American restaurant. Because he thinks Japanese people eat cleanly and do not spill or make messy. This was interesting image of Japanese for me. When we go to different kinds of restaurants, we have to try to use and adjust the one's manners and rules and be careful about it. It is all becasue we want to have fun time to eat food with somebody. To eat delicious good and enjoy it, there is certain rules we have to follow.
Have you ever eaten in a foreign restaurant? Where? What did you eat? Did you make any mistakes? Please explain your experience. Did you learn anything?
>Yes, I have eaten in a foreign restaurant when I was in America. I have been to restaurants in Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, New York, California, and Washington States. I also have eaten restaurants in Australia, but it was when I was a high school student and stayed for 3 weeks, so I do not remember it very well.
I only have been to casual restaurants not formal or expensive. So I think I did not make any big mistakes. Or maybe I did not notice my mistakes.
However, I always care into paying tip like how much is general tip or where to put. Actually I still am not sure where is the right place to put tips. Paying tips are not in Japanese manners or common practice so I was puzzled by it. I was surprised American cell phone has a calculator function to calculate tips. My American friends always use it when we put tips.
One more thing that I was surprised is a doggie bag. We do not have such a thing like doggie bags so I always try to eat all food on my plate. However, I do not need to do it, because I can ask for a doggie bag!! This is so nice system. I hope some restaurants in Japan start the service. In a class, to eat all food on own plate is rude in some country ( sorry i forfor which country). I thought eating everything and clean on my plate means the food was delicious. I learned there are lots of different table matters and rules for each country.
My American friend told me when he goes to eat at a Japanese restaurant in America, he feels little bit nervous more than going to American restaurant. Because he thinks Japanese people eat cleanly and do not spill or make messy. This was interesting image of Japanese for me. When we go to different kinds of restaurants, we have to try to use and adjust the one's manners and rules and be careful about it. It is all becasue we want to have fun time to eat food with somebody. To eat delicious good and enjoy it, there is certain rules we have to follow.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Class #8 Homework
We talked and saw many international weddings and compared them with Japan. Please answer the following questions in your blog:
Since Japanese weddings are expensive, do you think having a massive wedding like Korea or UAE is a good idea? Eloping? Having it in a foreign location like Hawaii?
What is your ideal wedding? What would you definitely do or wear or go to on that big day? Why is that important?
Do you think having a massive wedding like Korea or UAE is a good idea?
>Yes, I do. I think it is luxurious and having a wedding at Korea or UAE is cheaper than having one in Japan.
Eloping?
> I hope i won't have an experience of eloping. When I see someone elopes with one's sweetheart in a movie or a novel, it sounds romantic, however; I wonder if they regret in a future about that. If both of them agree with it, it is okay for me but i do not want them to regret and be happy. People should think about both now and in a future a lot before they do.
Having it in a foreign location like Hawaii?
> I like the idea. I think in these days there is a trend forward to have a wedding at Hawaii or some another country. Lots of poeple like to travel around the world and it makes sense to think have a wedding in a foreign location. Especially, Hawaii is nice place for a wedding, a honeymoon, and also sightseeing. We can see a flyer for a plan having wedding in Hawaii at travel company. I want to have a wedding in a foreign location. I undecided the location yet. I need a partner first.... I want to have a wedding in a location both my future partner and I like. However, if I wear Shiromuku which is one kind of Kimono and wear at a wedding in a foreign location not in Japan, it will be weird, I think.
What is your ideal wedding?
> For me, a getting married is huge and important part of my life and having a wedding is a first thing I can know as much about the marriage. A planning the wedding might be so difficult, take much time more than I expect and have to consider both faimilies, friends and etc. Even if there are some probrems oncee starts a wedding, it will be great. The important thing is that both bride and groom are happy and love each other. That is my ideal wedding. Also, if people around bride and grrom give a blessing to their marriage, it will be the most womderful thing.
What would you definitely do or wear or go to on that big day?
> Even if i said love is the most important for a marriage, there is something I want to wear and do. I would like to wear a white dress, shoes, accessories, flowers and everything. White is my image color of wedding. I want to have a wedding at church( I am not Christian though) and say "I do." After that, I want to have a small party with only family and close friends not like a big wedding reception and I want to take lots of picturess on the wedding. And the next day, I want to sleep as much as I can becaue I know I will get really tired on the wedding day.
Why is that important?
> What I wrote here is the image I can think now. It will change when I will have a wedding in a future, I think. For now, it is important because that I want.
Since Japanese weddings are expensive, do you think having a massive wedding like Korea or UAE is a good idea? Eloping? Having it in a foreign location like Hawaii?
What is your ideal wedding? What would you definitely do or wear or go to on that big day? Why is that important?
Do you think having a massive wedding like Korea or UAE is a good idea?
>Yes, I do. I think it is luxurious and having a wedding at Korea or UAE is cheaper than having one in Japan.
Eloping?
> I hope i won't have an experience of eloping. When I see someone elopes with one's sweetheart in a movie or a novel, it sounds romantic, however; I wonder if they regret in a future about that. If both of them agree with it, it is okay for me but i do not want them to regret and be happy. People should think about both now and in a future a lot before they do.
Having it in a foreign location like Hawaii?
> I like the idea. I think in these days there is a trend forward to have a wedding at Hawaii or some another country. Lots of poeple like to travel around the world and it makes sense to think have a wedding in a foreign location. Especially, Hawaii is nice place for a wedding, a honeymoon, and also sightseeing. We can see a flyer for a plan having wedding in Hawaii at travel company. I want to have a wedding in a foreign location. I undecided the location yet. I need a partner first.... I want to have a wedding in a location both my future partner and I like. However, if I wear Shiromuku which is one kind of Kimono and wear at a wedding in a foreign location not in Japan, it will be weird, I think.
What is your ideal wedding?
> For me, a getting married is huge and important part of my life and having a wedding is a first thing I can know as much about the marriage. A planning the wedding might be so difficult, take much time more than I expect and have to consider both faimilies, friends and etc. Even if there are some probrems oncee starts a wedding, it will be great. The important thing is that both bride and groom are happy and love each other. That is my ideal wedding. Also, if people around bride and grrom give a blessing to their marriage, it will be the most womderful thing.
What would you definitely do or wear or go to on that big day?
> Even if i said love is the most important for a marriage, there is something I want to wear and do. I would like to wear a white dress, shoes, accessories, flowers and everything. White is my image color of wedding. I want to have a wedding at church( I am not Christian though) and say "I do." After that, I want to have a small party with only family and close friends not like a big wedding reception and I want to take lots of picturess on the wedding. And the next day, I want to sleep as much as I can becaue I know I will get really tired on the wedding day.
Why is that important?
> What I wrote here is the image I can think now. It will change when I will have a wedding in a future, I think. For now, it is important because that I want.
Superstition Homework
We talked about many superstitions in many countries, but do you think it is important to talk about them? Why?
Is communication affected by superstitions?
Do you believe in Japanese superstitions? If so, what superstitions, what do they mean and why do you do,use, or believe in them?
Do you think it is important to talk about them? Why?
> Yes, I do. I think it is important to talk about many superstitions in many countries. Becasue I think superstition relates to a culture, background, history, religious, and people of each countries. Talking about it is interesthing and fun to know the person and the country.
Is communication affected by superstitions?
> I think it is. It is useful when we communicate with poeple from another countries and talking about superstition is interesting topics to get to know each other and each countries. There is some common things and defferent things, but even if it is different it is okay becuase it is superstition and most of them does not have an evidence and valid explanation. People can not fight with it and people can understand it.
Also, it is useful for child discipline when parents tell superstitions to children not to do something . There is a possibility that some of the superstitions exist to control an act not preferable. For example, "do not cut nail at night because you can not see your parent's death" and "do not whistle at night because snake will appear". Some people feel of discomfort to listen a whistle or the sounds of cutting nails at the time of vacant night and if some people say "be quiet" or "stop it", their relationship dese not go well. However, if it is said becuase of the superstition, their realationship will be fine.
Do you believe in Japanese superstitions? If so, what superstitions, what do they mean and why do you do,use, or believe in them?
> I don't believe in Japanese or any superstitions so much. Because there is no good evidence and valid explanation. However, someitmes I do, use, or say some superstitions unintentionally. For instance, when i was little, I counted sheep when I can not sleep. another examplae is "you can get rid of your cold, if you pass your cold to another person"
I found an interesting page on the Internet which shows people believe superstitions or not. and also, they shows which superstition comes out from your mind first.
http://www.tepore.com/koe/sei/040603/index.htm
Is communication affected by superstitions?
Do you believe in Japanese superstitions? If so, what superstitions, what do they mean and why do you do,use, or believe in them?
Do you think it is important to talk about them? Why?
> Yes, I do. I think it is important to talk about many superstitions in many countries. Becasue I think superstition relates to a culture, background, history, religious, and people of each countries. Talking about it is interesthing and fun to know the person and the country.
Is communication affected by superstitions?
> I think it is. It is useful when we communicate with poeple from another countries and talking about superstition is interesting topics to get to know each other and each countries. There is some common things and defferent things, but even if it is different it is okay becuase it is superstition and most of them does not have an evidence and valid explanation. People can not fight with it and people can understand it.
Also, it is useful for child discipline when parents tell superstitions to children not to do something . There is a possibility that some of the superstitions exist to control an act not preferable. For example, "do not cut nail at night because you can not see your parent's death" and "do not whistle at night because snake will appear". Some people feel of discomfort to listen a whistle or the sounds of cutting nails at the time of vacant night and if some people say "be quiet" or "stop it", their relationship dese not go well. However, if it is said becuase of the superstition, their realationship will be fine.
Do you believe in Japanese superstitions? If so, what superstitions, what do they mean and why do you do,use, or believe in them?
> I don't believe in Japanese or any superstitions so much. Because there is no good evidence and valid explanation. However, someitmes I do, use, or say some superstitions unintentionally. For instance, when i was little, I counted sheep when I can not sleep. another examplae is "you can get rid of your cold, if you pass your cold to another person"
I found an interesting page on the Internet which shows people believe superstitions or not. and also, they shows which superstition comes out from your mind first.
http://www.tepore.com/koe/sei/040603/index.htm
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Homework #4
Today we talked about time in different societies and the English words associated with them. For homework, answer the following question:
The English language has many proverbs and sayings about time.
1. Time is money.
2.A stitch in time saves nine.
3.There's no time like the present.
4. Fashionable late.
Please explain what you think are the meanings of each of the 4 expressions.
>
1. Time is money.
>There is a common Japanese saying that "time is money" which is 「時は金なり」 I think the meaning is that time is really important and precious in a life, so we should not spend time in vain. There is 24 hours in a day and we always check time, spend time, and live with time. We know or decide the time to wake up, eat breakfast, leave for school/work, work, go home, hong out with friends, and go to bed. For a part-time job, we get money by the hour. Sometimes, we have to choose time or money. For example, when we use expressway, we have to pay money to save time and get the place faster. In fact, we buy time. Time goes really quickly. I always think one week passes so fast. Even I can not have time to think or remember what I did last week The way of using time and what is important to use time are different from each other; however, we should think about how much time we spend time in vain and how we can use time well.
2. A stitch in time saves nine.
>When we get a hole in cloths and if you did not fix or sew it, the hole will get bigger and bigger, never will be smaller. In fact, a stitch will save time to sew 9 stitches. So the meaning of this proverb is that we should better to do it the time when you noticed, otherwise it will only get worse. For example, when we get a homework due and teacher give us 1 month to do. If I do it earlier, I don't need to rush to do the homework before the due date. We should not wait to do until the due time.
3. There's no time like the present.
>I have never heard this proverb, but I guessed this meaning is that now is the time to do something or the time, right now, is really precious than anything else and never will come again. I was not sure about my guessing, so look on the Internet and one dicrionary told me "something that you say in order to show that you think it is a good idea to do something immediately."( The Free Dictionary By Farlex) Also, the proverb has the meaning of this is a chance, good occasion, or perfect timing.
4. Fashionable late.
> It is better to come late. Comming late especially for parties is good for both hosts and guests. When I was in America and hanging out with friends at friend's apartment, one of my friend invited us for a party which starts at 7:00pm. I started to get ready for a party around 6:30; however, another friends did not and they did not seem like to leave soon. I asked them what time we are going to go to the party. They said maybe around 8:00 or sometime late. I was so surprised and asked the reason. They said the party starts at 7:00 and if we get there at 7:00, nobody else will be there and we will get bored and it will be kind of awkward. If we get there little late, it will be good because everyone is there and food is ready. It is also good for hosts, becuase they can have extra time to get ready. Therefore we call this "Fashionable late"
The English language has many proverbs and sayings about time.
1. Time is money.
2.A stitch in time saves nine.
3.There's no time like the present.
4. Fashionable late.
Please explain what you think are the meanings of each of the 4 expressions.
>
1. Time is money.
>There is a common Japanese saying that "time is money" which is 「時は金なり」 I think the meaning is that time is really important and precious in a life, so we should not spend time in vain. There is 24 hours in a day and we always check time, spend time, and live with time. We know or decide the time to wake up, eat breakfast, leave for school/work, work, go home, hong out with friends, and go to bed. For a part-time job, we get money by the hour. Sometimes, we have to choose time or money. For example, when we use expressway, we have to pay money to save time and get the place faster. In fact, we buy time. Time goes really quickly. I always think one week passes so fast. Even I can not have time to think or remember what I did last week The way of using time and what is important to use time are different from each other; however, we should think about how much time we spend time in vain and how we can use time well.
2. A stitch in time saves nine.
>When we get a hole in cloths and if you did not fix or sew it, the hole will get bigger and bigger, never will be smaller. In fact, a stitch will save time to sew 9 stitches. So the meaning of this proverb is that we should better to do it the time when you noticed, otherwise it will only get worse. For example, when we get a homework due and teacher give us 1 month to do. If I do it earlier, I don't need to rush to do the homework before the due date. We should not wait to do until the due time.
3. There's no time like the present.
>I have never heard this proverb, but I guessed this meaning is that now is the time to do something or the time, right now, is really precious than anything else and never will come again. I was not sure about my guessing, so look on the Internet and one dicrionary told me "something that you say in order to show that you think it is a good idea to do something immediately."( The Free Dictionary By Farlex) Also, the proverb has the meaning of this is a chance, good occasion, or perfect timing.
4. Fashionable late.
> It is better to come late. Comming late especially for parties is good for both hosts and guests. When I was in America and hanging out with friends at friend's apartment, one of my friend invited us for a party which starts at 7:00pm. I started to get ready for a party around 6:30; however, another friends did not and they did not seem like to leave soon. I asked them what time we are going to go to the party. They said maybe around 8:00 or sometime late. I was so surprised and asked the reason. They said the party starts at 7:00 and if we get there at 7:00, nobody else will be there and we will get bored and it will be kind of awkward. If we get there little late, it will be good because everyone is there and food is ready. It is also good for hosts, becuase they can have extra time to get ready. Therefore we call this "Fashionable late"
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Homework #3
1. Reflecting about today's class:
Today we discussed the language of clothes. After listening to the lecture and the meaning of colors in clothing, answer the following questions:
1. Do you judge people according to what they wear? Why?
> Yes, I do. I accidentry and immediately judge people from the clothes what they wear. My head does not say judge people with clothes, but I do this automatically. Becasue it is first thing I can do and get information about the person. When I see a person who is wearing skirt, I think she may be girlish and quiet. It depends on what kind of skirt it is and also the color it has, though. As well as there are so many kinds of bottoms, tops, and items like accessories, hats, bags, and so on, there are so many people in a world. Therefore, no wonder everyone wears different kinds of clothes and the different way of wearing. I don't think all personality shows from what people wear, but it shows one part of the identity.
2. Do you think Japanese society puts an importance on clothing when judging other people from another country?
>Yes, I do. I think sometimes that is true. Most of contries has a national (ethnic) costume for them. If people from another country wear the national costume in public place in Japan, Japanese can guess where they are from and judge what kind of background they have. But this is just a guess so sometimes people may misread the person. This misreading is scary. I have a friend who likes wearing military uniform. When I saw the personat first time, I thought this person might have strong feeling for a war, fighting, and patriotic or prond of a military and it made me kind of scary. After I got to know that person well, I knew he is really nice person, but my first impression was not so good. In these days, we can hear we should learn and know different culture or people talk about cross-culturely theme on TV and newspaper. That causes Ministry of Education is planning to add English class at elementary school. Of couese, that purpose is for being able to speak English, but also learn cross culture communication to not have bias view from the first impression.
3. What colors are you wearing now? Do they reflect your mood?
> Right now, I am wearing black short-sleeved sweater, bule jeans, brown jacket, gold neckless, and black boots.
Black is associated with power, elegance, formality, death, evil, and mystery.
Blue is the color of the sky and sea. It is often associated with depth and stability. It symbolizes trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven.
Brown is associated with friendships, outdoors, inexpensive, reliability, credibility, endurance, stability, simplicity, comfort, longevity, intimacy, tranquility, masculine, nurturing, contentment, strength, sensuality, productivity, passivity, fertility, generosity, substance, practicality, hard work
Gold is associated with success, high quality, money
I think they reflect my mood a little bit, because I need to work and study hard, want success and money, have secret(a thing I do not want to talk about), always want to trust people, and so on. However, I think this is not only today's mood, it is always like that. Because I am wearing brown sweater today so I am friendly but i am not friendly when I am not wearing brown? It is not true. Even if i am not wearing brown, I would be friendly. People have a favorite color and tend to wear that on clothes. Therefore, color shows mood but also shows personality.
2. Preparation for next weeks topic:
Next week we will discuss friends, please prepare by answering the following questions:
1. What are some subjects that you will never discuss with a friend?
>This was kind of difficult question for me. It depends on how much close to the friends. If she/them is really close to me and I can trust her/them a lot, I would talk anything/everything I want to. But if she/them is not close to me, I would choose the topic. Eather of them, I don't think I want to discuss or share erotic or sexual kinds of stuff. This topic is embarrassing to talk for me.
2. Do you have different friends for different parts of your life? If so, how are they different to you? Do you talk about different things? Go to different places? Give me some examples.
>I would say yes. I do not talk same topics to everyone. Maybe I pick up the topics for each person naturally.
For example,
when I talk to personA, I talk about school and some other friends.
when I talk to person B, I talk about part-time job.
when I talk to personC, I talk about love, dating, or boyfrined.
Sometimes I talk about all of this to personD.
Today we discussed the language of clothes. After listening to the lecture and the meaning of colors in clothing, answer the following questions:
1. Do you judge people according to what they wear? Why?
> Yes, I do. I accidentry and immediately judge people from the clothes what they wear. My head does not say judge people with clothes, but I do this automatically. Becasue it is first thing I can do and get information about the person. When I see a person who is wearing skirt, I think she may be girlish and quiet. It depends on what kind of skirt it is and also the color it has, though. As well as there are so many kinds of bottoms, tops, and items like accessories, hats, bags, and so on, there are so many people in a world. Therefore, no wonder everyone wears different kinds of clothes and the different way of wearing. I don't think all personality shows from what people wear, but it shows one part of the identity.
2. Do you think Japanese society puts an importance on clothing when judging other people from another country?
>Yes, I do. I think sometimes that is true. Most of contries has a national (ethnic) costume for them. If people from another country wear the national costume in public place in Japan, Japanese can guess where they are from and judge what kind of background they have. But this is just a guess so sometimes people may misread the person. This misreading is scary. I have a friend who likes wearing military uniform. When I saw the personat first time, I thought this person might have strong feeling for a war, fighting, and patriotic or prond of a military and it made me kind of scary. After I got to know that person well, I knew he is really nice person, but my first impression was not so good. In these days, we can hear we should learn and know different culture or people talk about cross-culturely theme on TV and newspaper. That causes Ministry of Education is planning to add English class at elementary school. Of couese, that purpose is for being able to speak English, but also learn cross culture communication to not have bias view from the first impression.
3. What colors are you wearing now? Do they reflect your mood?
> Right now, I am wearing black short-sleeved sweater, bule jeans, brown jacket, gold neckless, and black boots.
Black is associated with power, elegance, formality, death, evil, and mystery.
Blue is the color of the sky and sea. It is often associated with depth and stability. It symbolizes trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven.
Brown is associated with friendships, outdoors, inexpensive, reliability, credibility, endurance, stability, simplicity, comfort, longevity, intimacy, tranquility, masculine, nurturing, contentment, strength, sensuality, productivity, passivity, fertility, generosity, substance, practicality, hard work
Gold is associated with success, high quality, money
I think they reflect my mood a little bit, because I need to work and study hard, want success and money, have secret(a thing I do not want to talk about), always want to trust people, and so on. However, I think this is not only today's mood, it is always like that. Because I am wearing brown sweater today so I am friendly but i am not friendly when I am not wearing brown? It is not true. Even if i am not wearing brown, I would be friendly. People have a favorite color and tend to wear that on clothes. Therefore, color shows mood but also shows personality.
2. Preparation for next weeks topic:
Next week we will discuss friends, please prepare by answering the following questions:
1. What are some subjects that you will never discuss with a friend?
>This was kind of difficult question for me. It depends on how much close to the friends. If she/them is really close to me and I can trust her/them a lot, I would talk anything/everything I want to. But if she/them is not close to me, I would choose the topic. Eather of them, I don't think I want to discuss or share erotic or sexual kinds of stuff. This topic is embarrassing to talk for me.
2. Do you have different friends for different parts of your life? If so, how are they different to you? Do you talk about different things? Go to different places? Give me some examples.
>I would say yes. I do not talk same topics to everyone. Maybe I pick up the topics for each person naturally.
For example,
when I talk to personA, I talk about school and some other friends.
when I talk to person B, I talk about part-time job.
when I talk to personC, I talk about love, dating, or boyfrined.
Sometimes I talk about all of this to personD.
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