>>> She was an exchange student from Japan, and spoke English as a second language very well, but exhibited a poor ability to comprehend instructions (due to the language barrier, it is assumed). >>> The renter nodded agreement to the instructions, and it was felt at the time that there was a clear understanding. The rental business owner repeated to the customer to keep close to shore, as that way she could swim to shore if there was a problem. ------- I immigrated to the US from China, not Japan, but I can give some pointers concerning all Asians. Among Asians, it is impolite to say "No, I don't understand your instructions." Whether an Asian understands your instructions or not, nodding the head is the standard response, never a side-to-side movement of the head, as that is shockingly impolite. If you want to make sure the person understood your instructions, it is best to ask (in as polite a way as possible, helped with smiles and proper gestures) that person to repeat your instructions (in their own words, but enough to make the meaning clear). If, after this exercise, you feel that the person did not understand your instructions, then you'd better think of something other than renting the kayak to that person. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Thu Jul 20 2000 - 21:59:52 PDT
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