Japan

Tanaka is a Japanese exchange student in a United States’ university. He had the following conversation with his chemistry professor, Mr. Smith, one day after class.
“How are things going, Tanaka?” asked Prof. Smith. “Things are going well, Prof Smith”, answered Tanaka with eyes cast down. “Are you sure?” Prof. Smith asked unconvinced. Perplexed by Prof. Smith’s concern, Tanaka replied with eyes still cast down, “Professor Smith, I am quite sure, everything is fine.” “Well, you are so quiet in class; I thought perhaps you did not understand the lesson.”

• What cultural influences do you think played a part in this communication sequence? from any of the reading this semester?
• How could the communication between Tanaka and Prof. Smith have been more successful?
• What style of communication is causing Prof Smith to probe the student for more info and what is it about Prof Smith?s culture that is different from the students that is causing this?