2026年11月のレッスン内容

トピック

Describing a Special Day in My Life 

おばあちゃんのある一日

2026年10月「世界のマナークイズ」の問題と答え

• お皿を持ち上げて食べるのはNG

In some cultures, people should not lift a bowl or plate when eating. 

Dishes are kept on the table, and people use a spoon or fork. 

Lifting a bowl can be seen as bad manners, because food is expected to stay on the table.

Answer: Western countries, Korea, etc. (欧米、韓国など)

• 料理を少し「残す」のが作法

In some cultures, when eating at someone's house, it is polite to leave a little food on the plate. 

Eating everything can make the host think the guest is still hungry. 

Leaving a small piece shows satisfaction and fullness.

Answer: China, Middle East, etc. (中国、中東など)

• 子供の頭を撫でてはいけない

In some cultures, people must not touch a child’s head. 

The head is believed to be the most sacred part of the body. 

Even if a child is very cute, touching their head can be considered rude and upset the parents.

Answer: Southeast Asia (Thailand, Myanmar, etc.) (タイ、ミャンマーなどの東南アジア)

• カレーやご飯を「混ぜ合わせて」食べる

In some traditions, when eating rice with curry or meat, people mix everything together on the plate before eating. 

This creates a combination of flavors. Eating each food separately is less common, and mixing food is considered the proper way to enjoy it.

Answer: Southeast Asia (Philippines, Thailand, etc.) (フィリピン、タイなどの東南アジア)

• 約束の時間の「1〜2時間遅れ」が当たり前

In some cultures, people have a relaxed view of time. 

If a party starts at 7:00, arriving an hour or two late is acceptable. 

Arriving exactly on time can surprise the host, who might not be ready yet. 

Being late is often regarded as normal.

Answer: Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, etc.) (ブラジル、メキシコなどの中南米)

• 「ゲップ」をすることが感謝の意になる

In some regions, making a loud burp after eating is considered positive. 

It shows that the person really enjoyed the meal. 

A burp makes the cook happy because it indicates the food was great and the person is full.

Answer: North Africa, Arab world (Egypt, Morocco, etc.) (エジプト、モロッコなどの北アフリカ・アラブ圏)

• 目上の人の目を直接見ずに「少し伏せる」のが敬意

In some cultures, when talking to older people or superiors, people should not look directly into their eyes. 

Looking away or down demonstrates respect. 

Staring into an elder person's eyes can be seen as impolite or aggressive.

Answer: East Africa (Tanzania, Kenya, etc.) (タンザニア、ケニアなどの東アフリカ)

• 人前で「一人で食べること」を避ける・分け与える

In some cultures, eating food alone in front of others is considered bad manners. 

When having food or snacks, people should offer some to those around them. 

Sharing food is regarded as essential for building good relationships.

Answer: West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, etc.) (ナイジェリア、ガーナなどの西アフリカ)

• 足の裏（靴底）を人に見せたり、向けたりしてはいけない

In some traditions, people must never show the bottom of their feet or shoes to others. 

The bottom of the foot is considered the lowest and unclean part of the body, and pointing it toward someone is considered very rude.

Answer: Islamic countries / Middle East (中東・イスラム圏)

• 食事や物のやり取りで「左手」を使うのは絶対NG

In some regions, people avoid using their left hand for eating or handing objects to others. 

Because the left hand is traditionally associated with personal hygiene, it is considered unclean. 

The right hand is always preferred for dining and exchanging items.

Answer: Islamic countries, India, Southeast Asia (イスラム圏、インド、東南アジアなど)

• 人やものを指差すときに「人差し指」を使わない

In some cultures, pointing at people or things with an index finger is avoided. 

Using a single finger can be perceived as aggressive. 

Instead, people use their whole hand or their thumb to indicate a direction.

Answer: Middle East, Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia, etc.) (中東、マレーシア・インドネシアなど)

• タクシーで「後部座席」に乗るのは失礼（1人の場合は助手席に乗る）

In some cultures, when traveling alone in a taxi, sitting in the front passenger seat is polite. Sitting in the back seat can make the driver feel like a personal servant. Joining the driver in the front shows equality and friendliness.

Answer: Australia, New Zealand, etc. (オーストラリア、ニュージーランドなど)

• 「サムズアップ（👍）」が「侮辱・NG」になる

In some regions, giving a thumbs-up sign does not mean "good job" or "OK." Instead, it is considered a very rude and offensive gesture. Using it in public can shock or anger local people.

Answer: Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, parts of West Africa, etc. (イラン、イラク、アフガニスタン、西アフリカ一部など)

• 手招き（手のひらを下に向けて「おいで」）が「あっちへ行け」になる

In some countries, waving your hand with the palm facing down means "go away" rather than "come here." Calling someone this way can cause misunderstandings, as it looks like you are pushing them away.

Answer: Northern Europe, USA, etc. (北欧、アメリカなど)

• 花束を贈るとき「偶数の本数」はNG（葬式用になる）

In some cultures, when giving flowers as a gift, you must always choose an odd number of flowers, like three or five. An even number of flowers is used only for funerals, so giving an even number at a happy event is bad luck.

Answer: Russia, Eastern Europe, etc. (ロシア、東欧など)

• 乾杯のときに「相手の目」を見ないと7年不吉（目を見つめて乾杯）

In some cultures, when making a toast with drinks, you must look directly into the other person's eyes. Looking away or touching glasses without eye contact is considered rude and is said to bring bad luck.

Answer: France, Germany, Spain, etc. (フランス、ドイツ、スペインなど)

• 「誕生日プレゼント」を相手の目の前ですぐ開けるのがマナー

In some traditions, when you receive a gift, you should open it immediately in front of the giver. Expressing joy and gratitude right away shows honesty and respect. Waiting to open it later can seem cold or uninterested.

Answer: USA, Europe, Latin America, etc. (欧米、中南米など)