[noriko]

As a Japanese, who picked up English in the States when small, it does make my head dizzy at first to get this close to British English.

But on the other hand, English language, being a tool for communication, I think we'd all need to take into consideration what is behind the mere words of the speaker to avoid misunderstanding. And, for that, a little cultural knowledge, like British people mean to compliment in saying "It's not bad," and a N.American would say "I'm good," not meaning I am a good person, but I am doing well, or that a Japanese in Western Japan would think it impolite to visit someone at the first invitation, etc., is important and helpful.

And body language, tone of voice, intonation, facial expressions are also very important keys in understanding others, too.

It would save a lot of tears if we knew these beforehand.

But this is a little off the topic of the thread maybe.