Many Western people are not used to sitting on the floor any more. In Japan, however, sitting upright on the floor is common in different situations. For example, meals are traditionally had when people sit on the tatami (榻榻米) loor around a low table. Also during the tea ceremony and other traditional events, one sits on the floor.
The formal way of sitting for both men and women is kneeling upright. People who are not used to sitting in this style may feel uncomfortable after a few minutes, and their legs may go numb. However, foreigners are not usually expected to be able to sit in this style for a long time, and an increasing number of Japanese people themselves aren’t able to do so, owing to a more westernized lifestyle.
In other situations, men usually sit cross-legged, while women sit on their knees laying both legs to one side. The former sitting style is considered wholly male, while the latter is considered completely female.
The most important guest sits on the honored seat which is set farthest from the entrance. If there is a tokonoma (壁龛) in the room, the guest should be seated in front of it. The host or the least important person is supposed to sit next to the entrance. Of course, there are other things to be considered in each particular case.
1. Which of the following situations is NOT mentioned in the passage?
A. When men and women meet.
B. When a tea ceremony is held.
C. When traditional events are held.
D. When meals are traditionally had.
2. According to the passage we can learn that ______.
A. more and more Japanese sit in the formal way
B. foreigners should always sit in the formal style in a Japanese home
C. men shouldn’t sit on their knees laying both legs to one side
D. men and women in Japan sit in the same informal way
3. When some guests are in a Japanese home, _______ should sit nearest to the entrance.
A. the host himself
B. both the host and the hostess
C. the host or the least important person
D. the most important guest
4. What is the passage mainly about?
A. How foreigners should sit in Japanese homes.
B. How foreigners should behave in Japanese homes.
C. Where to sit in Japanese homes.
D. How and where to sit in Japanese homes.
