Question

Read the passage from "Going to Japan."

There are bamboo groves and nightingales. And finally there are more invisible guidelines for politeness than I could fathom.
When I stepped on a streetcar, a full head taller than all the other passengers, I became an awkward giant. I took up too much space. I blended in like Igor would blend in with the corps de ballet in Swan Lake. I bumped into people. I crossed my arms when I listened, which turns out to be, in Japanese body language, the sign for indicating brazenly that one is bored.

Answer 1

The passage from "Going to Japan" describes the narrator's experiences in Japan and their struggle to navigate the cultural norms and etiquette. They observe the presence of bamboo groves and nightingales, highlighting the natural beauty of the country. However, the narrator also realizes the existence of numerous invisible guidelines for politeness that they find difficult to comprehend fully.

The passage continues by depicting an incident on a streetcar, where the narrator stands out due to their taller stature compared to the other passengers. They feel like an awkward giant, taking up too much space and not blending in with the Japanese social norms. They also mention unintentionally bumping into people, further emphasizing their discomfort in adhering to the expected behavior.

Additionally, the narrator mentions crossing their arms while listening, unaware that it signifies boredom in Japanese body language. This gesture, which they perceive as normal, unintentionally communicates an incorrect message according to Japanese customs.

Overall, the passage highlights the challenges and humorous situations the narrator encounters while trying to adapt to Japanese culture and its intricate codes of politeness.