Y. Dil Read the text below and answer the questions.

A behaviour considered rude in one country may not be recognised as a problem in another one. For example, in Japan, it's okay to ask someone how old they are in the first meeting, while that is thought to be rude in many cultures. In Tanzania, it isn't a problem if people arrive 15 minutes late to their appointments. In Korea, people avoid wrapping their gifts in black, green, and white paper because black is associated with sadness, green with illness, and white with bad luck. As colours are associated with different meanings in different cultures, this behaviour considered rude in Korea may not be a problem in other countries.

a. Why do people avoid using some colours while wrapping gifts in Korea?
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b. Is it rude to be late for a meeting or dinner in Tanzania?
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c. Where can you ask someone's age when you meet for the first time?
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a. People in Korea avoid using certain colors such as black, green, and white while wrapping gifts because these colors are associated with negative meanings in their culture. Black is linked to sadness, green to illness, and white to bad luck. Therefore, to show respect and avoid any potential offense, Koreans opt for wrapping gifts using colors that are considered more positive in their society.

b. In Tanzania, it is not generally considered rude to be 15 minutes late for appointments such as meetings or dinners. This cultural norm allows for a more relaxed approach to timekeeping compared to other cultures where punctuality is highly valued. However, it is essential to be aware of the specific context and expectations of the people involved to ensure that being late does not cause any inconvenience or offense.

c. In Japan, it is acceptable to ask someone's age when you meet for the first time. Unlike in some other cultures where asking about age may be seen as rude or intrusive, in Japan, it is considered a common and acceptable part of the initial conversation. This practice stems from the importance of social hierarchy and age in Japanese culture, where age often determines the level of respect and formality shown towards others.
 
Geri
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