Everyday life
Some questions cannot be answered without doing research. It is best to find out something about the topic before each Tandem meeting.
NLshop / www.shutterstock.com
- Do you like living in your country? If so, what are the three things that you would miss most when abroad? If not, where would you prefer to live? Why?
- How are the people in your country / region generally described? Which stereotypes do you think are fitting and which ones aren’t?
- What is the official language of your country? Are there any ethnic minorities that have their own language? If so, which ones? Can pupils choose this language as a subject at school? If not, why not?
- Which historical events are anchored in the collective memory of your country, positive or negative? What do you think: does a shared history shape the people of a country, or is the individual development more important? Can you think of an example?
- To which neighbouring country do you have a personal connection? Why? Which neighbouring country is rather foreign to you?
- Are there border regions where the languages of both countries exist alongside each other? Which ones? Do children there grow up bilingually?
- How are the rural areas different from urban centres in your country? You can refer to the infrastructure, training opportunities, job situation, recreation possibilities and housing situation.
- Where do people mainly go for shopping? Where can you buy groceries, clothes, furniture and cosmetics? Are there small businesses in the inner city, are there weekly markets, or are there mainly supermarkets and hypermarkets? Are there significant differences in price? If so, which ones and why?
- What are the usual opening hours for offices and authorities, for museums, for libraries and for food shops? Which offices and shops are closed on Sundays and public holidays?
- Can you visit friends unannounced in your country? If not, how should you announce your visit? Or should you rather wait until you are invited?
- If you are invited to friends at 20:00, at what time should you actually arrive?
- Are you expected to bring something when you are invited to friends or acquaintances? If so, what do you recommend as a gift? And what should you rather not bring?
- What are typical topics of short conversations? Which topics should be avoided by all means when socialising with friends or colleagues (money, politics, diseases, etc.)?
- Where is it forbidden to smoke, to drink alcohol and to use your mobile phone?
- In your country, what are the most important printed media for young people, for business people, for women, for men and for the elderly? Do you read a newspaper / magazine or do you use the radio or the internet to stay informed?
- Which radio and TV channels are there in your country? Which channels are rated highest? Which programmes do you like best?
- How do the commercial radio and TV channels differ from the public channels in your country? Are there typical broadcasting formats? Tell your partner!
- Does your country have health insurance? How high are the membership fees and which treatments does the insurance cover?
- Are there any private doctors in your country? If so, can you go there any time without an appointment? Do you have to pay them yourself or is your visit covered by the insurance?
- Do hospital patients have to pay a part of the costs themselves? If so, approximately how much?
- Are there any health resorts that are paid for by the insurance? Who can get treatment there?
- Where do older members of the family live when they cannot take care of themselves any longer?
- Are there good long-term care facilities for the elderly? Is there a mobile nursing staff, who can look after people in their own home?
- How bureaucratic is your country? How would you judge the degree of bureaucracy in your country, on a scale of 1 - 10 (1 - very low, 10 - very high)? Give reasons for your decision.
- Is it possible to encounter a corrupt employee or civil servant in your country? If so, how should you behave? Do you have any examples from your own experience?