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Traveling without a map in different countries, I find out about different "styles"(方式) of directions
(方向)every time I ask "How can I get to the post office?"
Foreign tourists are often confused (迷惑的) in Japan because most streets there don't have name
signs; in Japan, people use landmarks(地标) in their directions instead of street names. For example,
the Japanese will say to travelers, "Go straight down to the corner. Turn left at the big hotel and go past
a fruit market. The post office is across from the bus stop."
People in Los Angeles(洛杉矶), the US, have no idea of distance on the map: they measure (衡量)
distance (距离)by time, not miles. "How far away is the post office?" you ask. "Oh," they answer, "it's
about five minutes from here." You don't understand completely, "Yes, but how many miles away is it,
please?" To this question you won't get an answer, because most probably they don't know it themselves.
People in Greece(希腊) sometimes do not even try to give directions because tourists seldom
understand the Greek language. Instead, a Greek will often say, "Follow me." Then he'll lead you through
the streets of the city to the post office.
Sometimes a person doesn't know the answer to your question. What happens in the situation? A
New Yorker might say, "Sorry, I have no idea." But in Yucatan, Mexico, no one answers "I don't
know." People there believe that "I don't" is impolite. They usually give an answer, but often a wrong
one. So a tourist can get lost very easily in Yucatan!
However, one thing will help you everywhere in the world. It's body language.
1. Which one of the following is probably an example of Japanese directions?
A. "Go south two miles. Turn west and then go another mile."
B. "Turn right at the hospital and go past a school. The library is right in front of you."
C. "The post office is about five minutes from here."
D. "The post office is at Street Kamira."
2. People in Los Angeles don't give directions in miles because ______.
A. they use landmarks in their directions instead of distance
B. they prefer to lead you the way
C. they often have no idea of distance measured by miles
D. they prefer to use body language
3. Greeks give directions by ______.
A. using street names
B. using landmarks
C. leading people the way
D. giving people a wrong direction
4. Where is Yucatan?
A. In the USA.
B. In Japan.
C. In Greece.
D. In Mexico.
5. Which of the following is NOTtrue?
A. People in Yucatan always give right directions.
B. There are different ways to give directions in different parts of the world.
C. People in some places give directions in miles, but people in other places give directions in time.
D. A person's body language can help you understand directions.

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