Spain and Japan
 |
| Jessica |
Hi! I've lived in Spain and Japan and so I'm just going to talk about a few differences between the two countries that I've found. In Spain, when you meet somebody you give them two kisses, first on the left and then on the right cheek, and in Japan there is definitely no public kissing at all, so that is definitely a faux pas, here. In Japan you just bow or you hand shake which is normal.
In Spain, also the people are very caliente,
which means they are very warm and very open and extremely loud, extremely loud. In fact, when I
was living in my host family's house, the first
few months when my Spanish wasn't the best, I
thought my host mom was mad about everything. I
thought she was just ... I thought she was at the
point of just leaving the entire household for
good, and then when I realized what she was
saying, it was just like, "When are you going to
take out the dog?" but screaming this mind you, or
"Let's do your homework!" or even just like, "Pass
me the salt!" Everything was screaming. Japan
people are very quiet. They definitely don't
scream about things like that.
The food - Spanish food is the best in the world.
I really like Japanese food, but Spanish food -
they use a lot of olive oil, a lot of beans, a lot
of vegetables and fruit. It's a Mediterranean diet
and lots of fish but it's heavier food. In Japan
they also eat a lot of fish, but it's lighter and
rice and seaweed, but Spanish food is the best.
The best in the world, definitely.
at all
In Japan there is definitely no public kissing at all.
The words 'at all' is used at the end of a negative statement for emphasis. Notice the following:
- I can't dance at all.
- I don't like sushi at all.
faux pas
That is definitely a faux pas, here.
The phrase 'faux pas' is a taken from French. It means to do something that is socially not acceptable. Notice the following:
- These days, not wearing a mask is a faux pas.
- Putting soy sauce on rice is a faux pas in Japan.
extremely
They are very warm and very open and extremely loud, extremely loud.
The adverb extremely shows a high degree of some quality. It is stronger than 'very' or 'really' but similar in meaning. Notice the following:
- The test was extremely difficult.
- Living in the city is extremely dangerous these days.
at the point of
I thought she was at the point of just leaving .
Here, the phrase 'at the point of' means the person is about to do something, mainly because frustration. Notice the following:
- I was at the point of giving up, when I finally solved the problem.
- My job is so bad. I am at the point of quitting.
entire household
Leaving the entire household for good.
The entire household refers to everyone in the family. Notice the following:
- It was a movie the entire household could enjoy.
- The mood was bad. The entire household was not talking to each other.
for good
Leaving the entire household for good.
When something is done 'for good' that means it is done permanently or forever. Notice the following:
- I left my hometown for good when I was 20.
- I gave up smoking for good three years ago.
Vocabulary Quiz
faux pas • at the point of
Nicola has a twin brother. She talks about him and their similarities and differences.
