Scenario Bank

1. Everyday Life

1. The Elevator Silence
   You enter an elevator with a stranger. In your culture, small talk is common, but the other person avoids eye contact.
2. The Coffee Invitation
   A colleague invites you for coffee after work. You’re unsure if it’s casual or formal.
3. The Unexpected Gift
   Someone gives you a small present for no reason. How do you respond?
4. Waiting in Line
   People are cutting the line at a café. Is this acceptable in your culture?
5. Dinner Etiquette
   At a shared dinner, some people eat before everyone is served.

2. Study & Work

1. Silent Team Member
   In a group project, one member rarely speaks. How do you interpret their silence?
2. Direct Feedback
   Your supervisor gives blunt feedback in front of others.
3. Turn-Taking in Meetings
   People often interrupt during brainstorming. Is that engagement or rudeness?
4. Written vs. Spoken Communication
   A teammate prefers emails, but you prefer quick chats.
5. Formality of Address
   Do you address professors/managers by first name or ...?

3. Social Interactions

1. Lateness to a Meeting
   Someone arrives 15 minutes late without apologizing.
2. Touch in Conversation
   A colleague touches your arm while speaking. Is it friendly or too personal?
3. Jokes and Humor
   You make a joke, but no one laughs — or people look uncomfortable.
4. Refusing an Invitation
   How to decline politely without offending?
5. Inviting Strangers
   A friend brings someone you don’t know to a private gathering.

4. Conflicts or Tension

1. Public Criticism
   Your work is criticized openly in a meeting.
2. Rules and Flexibility
   Someone suggests skipping a small rule “because everyone does it.”
3. Loud Conversations
   People talk loudly in public spaces.
4. Sharing Resources
   In a shared office, someone uses your personal items without asking.
5. Differing Opinions
   You disagree with a professor or manager — do you voice it directly?

5. Cultural & Traditional Contexts

1. Religious Holidays
   Someone wishes you a holiday greeting from a tradition you don’t follow.
2. Food Restrictions
   You bring food to share, but later find out someone can’t eat it due to religion or culture.
3. Greeting Styles
   Do you shake hands, hug, bow, or wave?
4. Gift-Giving Customs
   Is it polite to open a gift immediately or wait until later?
5. Dress Codes
   You wear casual clothes to an event, but everyone else is dressed formally.

6. Ambiguous Situations

1. Mixed Messages
   Someone says “maybe” — is it a polite “no” or genuine uncertainty?
2. Indirect Requests
   A roommate says “It’s a bit cold here” — do you close the window or just acknowledge?
3. Personal Questions
   You’re asked about your salary, marital status, or religion.
4. Silence in Conversation
   Is silence comfortable or awkward in your culture?
5. Sharing Opinions on Sensitive Topics
   Someone brings up politics or social issues at a casual dinner.