【明報專訊】Travelling in South Korea, Dr Panda and Pat are asked how old they are by a local they just met. But people from some cultures are offended by this question!
“ Pat: Thanks for walking us to the station. I am Pat. ”
“ Dr Panda: I am Dr Panda. ”
“ Korean lady: Nice to meet you. ”
“ Korean lady: How old are you? ”
“ Dr Panda: We are... ”
“ Korean lady: I see. I am four years younger than you two. ”
“ Eason: Hello, how old are you? ”
“ European lady: You're so rude! ”
■ Culture tips
In South Korea, people stress respect for seniority. Age is one of the first things Koreans ask when they first meet somebody because they want to show respect accordingly. Whilst this practise is common in South Korea, it is considered rude in many Western countries and even in Eastern countries like China.
■ English highway﹕
Passive voice of simple tenses
The passive voice is used when we want to stress the receiver of the action or when the doer of the action is not known. In a passive voice of simple tenses, the subject is followed by verb-to-be + past participle.
e.g. Active voice: Bill captures Eason.
Passive voice: Eason is captured by Bill.
■ Glossary
offend (v) 冒犯
rude (adj) 無禮的；粗魯的
stress (v) 着重
seniority (n) 年長
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