Ringle Review – [Pratice] Idioms for Everyday Convos (2)

Speaking Lesson with Ringle Tutor

Idioms
1. bring up: mention a topic
2. put a damper on: make something less enjoyable or cause disappointment

Paraphrase

1. Since I came to Japan, I have avoided to bring up tricky topics, especially when I try to have some conversations with Japanese.

Since I came to Japan, I’ve avoided bringing up sensitive topics, especially when talking with Japanese people.

“Sensitive” or “touchy” means easily affected or upset from external emotions or criticism. “Touchy” means easily upset in a way that is often unexpected or exaggerated.

2. If I can’t avoid of bringing up tricky topics, and then I just make that conversation soft as possible as I can.

If I can’t avoid bringing up touchy subjects, I try to handle the conversation as gently as possible.

“Handle” is used when:
1) you’re addressing or finding solutions to problems,
2) you need to control or manage your own or others’ emotions.

“Gentle” describes something or someone that is kind, mild, or soft (both in feeling and physical touch). EX: gentle rolling hills (imagery)

3. It doesn’t mean that it has all merits, so some people just my talking style hard to some people’s feeling.

However, this approach didn’t always work well, because some people found it hard on their feelings.

hard-on?

Additional Information

high-context culture

less direct, indirect communication (Eastern cultures)

low-context culture

clear, direct, verbal (spoken) statements (Western or North American cultures)