NMT 1

Which of the advertisements is about _______?

Read the text and choose the correct answer.

Japanese culture is very different from that of European countries. A very strict code of etiquette is supposed to be obeyed. There are specific ways to do particular things and certain rules to follow to avoid insulting a person. Although walking and eating is widely accepted in Western cultures, in Japan it’s seen as sloppy. The exception is eating an ice-cream cone on the street. Tipping is a common thing in Europe and America but not in Japan. There tipping may be considered rude or at least cause confusion. Sleeping on somebody’s shoulder in the train is by contrast a common thing. If a person in Japan falls asleep with his or her head on another person’s shoulder, it’s a usual practice to tolerate it. People work very long hours, get tired and many of them often fall asleep in the train. Number four in Japan is considered extremely unlucky like number 13 in Western culture. The Japanese try to use it as little as possible. The reason why this number is avoided is that it sounds very similar to the word which means «death». The practice of avoiding number four is common not only in Japan but also in many East Asian and South-east Asian regions. Oshiya, or «pushers», are people designated to push passengers into a crowded subway car during rush hours. They wear uniforms, white gloves and hats and they are paid to make sure everybody gets in and doesn’t get caught in the doors. Slurping noodles is, surprisingly for a European, seen as polite. For the Japanese it means that a person is enjoying the meal. The habit of slurping noodles also helps to avoid having a burnt tongue while eating as they are generally served steaming hot and slurping helps to cool down the food.

Why is the Japanese way of life strange for Europeans?

Read the text and choose the correct answer.

Japanese culture is very different from that of European countries. A very strict code of etiquette is supposed to be obeyed. There are specific ways to do particular things and certain rules to follow to avoid insulting a person. Although walking and eating is widely accepted in Western cultures, in Japan it’s seen as sloppy. The exception is eating an ice-cream cone on the street. Tipping is a common thing in Europe and America but not in Japan. There tipping may be considered rude or at least cause confusion. Sleeping on somebody’s shoulder in the train is by contrast a common thing. If a person in Japan falls asleep with his or her head on another person’s shoulder, it’s a usual practice to tolerate it. People work very long hours, get tired and many of them often fall asleep in the train. Number four in Japan is considered extremely unlucky like number 13 in Western culture. The Japanese try to use it as little as possible. The reason why this number is avoided is that it sounds very similar to the word which means «death». The practice of avoiding number four is common not only in Japan but also in many East Asian and South-east Asian regions. Oshiya, or «pushers», are people designated to push passengers into a crowded subway car during rush hours. They wear uniforms, white gloves and hats and they are paid to make sure everybody gets in and doesn’t get caught in the doors. Slurping noodles is, surprisingly for a European, seen as polite. For the Japanese it means that a person is enjoying the meal. The habit of slurping noodles also helps to avoid having a burnt tongue while eating as they are generally served steaming hot and slurping helps to cool down the food.

Which of the following is not advisable to do in Japan?