ESL Questions Cultural Differences
Cultural Differences
Whether you travel or stay home, these 75 questions explore how cultures differ, what we learn from differences, and whether we can truly understand each other.
Beginner
What are cultural differences?
Is your culture different from my culture?
Do people in your country bow or shake hands?
What is the most famous food in your country?
Do people eat with a fork, a spoon, or chopsticks?
What time do people usually eat dinner?
Is it okay to be late for a meeting in your country?
What clothes do people wear for a wedding?
Do people take off their shoes inside the house?
Is it rude to look into someone's eyes?
How do people say "thank you" in your language?
Are families big or small in your country?
Do young people live with their parents?
What is the most important holiday in your culture?
Do people talk loudly or quietly in public?
Is it okay to touch a person's arm when you talk?
What do people do on Sundays in your country?
Is the music in your country fast or slow?
Do people smile at strangers on the street?
What is a "taboo" (something you must not do)?
Do people give gifts when they visit a friend?
Is it okay to ask someone how much money they make?
What colors are lucky in your culture?
Do people drink tea or coffee in the morning?
Do you like learning about new cultures?
Intermediate
Do you think your culture shapes you?
Have you felt defensive of your culture?
Would you defend cultural practices?
Do you think some customs are wrong?
Have you questioned your own traditions?
Would you adopt other customs?
Do you think culture can change?
Have you felt confused abroad?
Would you respect practices you dislike?
Do you think cultures should preserve?
Have you noticed cultural appropriation?
Would you support cultural exchange?
Do you think there's universal right and wrong?
Have you felt misunderstood?
Would you explain your culture?
Do you think cultures blend?
Have you felt pride and shame?
Would you teach children about difference?
Do you think globalization erases culture?
Have you noticed cultural arrogance?
Would you challenge stereotypes?
Do you think understanding requires living?
Have you felt empathy across difference?
Would you change your mind?
Do you think respect is possible?
Advanced
Why do we assume our way is default and others are exotic?
When culture is performed, is it authentic or constructed?
Can you respect culture without endorsing practices?
Why do we simplify complex cultures to stereotypes?
Is cultural appreciation possible or always appropriation?
Why do we measure cultures by our standards?
When power imbalances exist, can exchange be equal?
Can outsiders truly understand insider perspective?
Why do we preserve cultures like museum exhibits?
Is assimilation forced adoption or eventual evolution?
Why do we fear cultural change?
Can you maintain identity in global world?
Why does globalization feel like homogenization?
When cultures conflict, whose value system applies?
Is cultural relativism or universalism correct?
Why do we celebrate diversity while enforcing conformity?
Can translation capture cultural meaning?
Why do some cultures dominate while others disappear?
When colonialism shaped current differences, can they be judged equally?
Is multiculturalism ideal or impossible?
Why does understanding difference require vulnerability?
Can you critique culture without being dismissive?
Why does cultural pride sometimes become supremacy?
When migration happens, whose culture prevails?
Does cultural understanding prevent conflict?