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Svetlana:
|
How was the dinner last night?
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Maria:
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Oh, it was good but…
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Svetlana:
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But what?
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Maria:
|
Well, I did some embarrassing
things.
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Svetlana:
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Did you drink too much wine?
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Maria:
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No, not that.
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Svetlana:
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Okay, tell me!
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Maria:
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Well, we went to a Thai restaurant.
There was Mauro, Naomi, Tim, Nat and Hiro, a Japanese friend
of Mauro's. I got there a little late and they were eating.
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Svetlana:
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Right …
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Maria:
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Anyway, I went up to the table
and greeted everyone. I gave Mauro, Naomi and Tim a kiss. And
then I gave Hiro a kiss and he pushed me away - just a little
push.
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Svetlana:
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Really?
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Maria:
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Yeah. Well, later we started
to talk about different cultures and different customs. Naomi
talked about how different people greet each other.
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Svetlana:
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What do you mean?
|
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Maria:
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You know, do you kiss or shake
hands? Anyway, Hiro said that most Japanese don't touch each
other. They bow or maybe shake hands, but they never kiss. Then
Nat said that it is the same in Thailand - they never kiss.
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Svetlana:
|
Mmm. So, did you feel embarrassed
because you gave Hiro a kiss?
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Maria:
|
Yes a little, but that's not
all. After dinner we got the bill. Tim looked at it and said
everyone had to pay $20. I didn't have enough money to pay.
I was really embarrassed and my face went red.
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Svetlana:
|
Oh, did you think Tim was
paying because he invited you?
|
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Maria:
|
Yes, in Colombia when someone
invites you out, they pay. Here, in Australia, everyone pays.
Anyway, Tim was really nice and he paid for me.
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Svetlana:
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It's interesting learning
about other cultures.
|
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Maria:
|
Yes, but it's sometimes very
embarrassing!
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