[YuriTokoro]

Originally Posted by Koir

Very interesting post, Yuri. It definitely illustrates how the Japanese culture has different preconceptions compared to Western countries. I do admit to being confused about the central concept in the first few read-throughs however. This showed me that I also have preconceptions about the basic meaning of "tea", a very useful thing I should be aware of.

Hi, Koir.
A reason of the confusion is that many Japanese people somehow believe “tea” is “English tea”, and Japanese tea is always said “green tea”.
You also have preconceptions about the meaning of tea? What are your preconceptions?

Even in Western countries such as Canada and the United States there are preconceptions. Years ago, I was in the U.S. and was surprised at the confusion between "chips" and "French Fries". I was at a restaurant and ordered a sandwich with chips. I said that expecting to get French fries, but when my order came, on the plate with the sandwich was a small bag of potato chips.

I didn’t know Canadian people call “French Fries” “chips”.
So, in Canada, sliced and fried thin potato is “potato chips”, and “French fries” is “chips”?
We say “French fries” “Fried Potato” here.

This happened once or twice afterwards until I started saying "French fries" when I ordered a meal. No wonder the server looked at me oddly...I was ordering something she wasn't familiar hearing in that context.

I think you may have chances to watch American TV programs. Do you? If the people in the TV programs say “French fries”, do you feel it’s odd or unfamiliar?

Please tell me.
What do you say the vegetables behind the meat in the picture below? Are they “garnish”?

As for the revisions:

"As you may know" was put at the beginning of the initial sentence because it works better as a lead-in to catch the reader's attention and get them thinking about their experiences as airplane passengers. The word "may" was added to make the writer's assumption of the reader's experience less of an absolute thing in case the reader has not flown in a plane in the past.

Of course! I should have said “may”. There are people who has never been abroad.

In the next paragraph, two instances of "always" were removed to eliminate repetition. Repeating a word or phrase lessens its impact and could confuse the reader, as it demonstrates the writer's feelings that he or she is not keeping the reader's attention.

I will try to repeat a word or phrase. Japanese people don’t mind repeating a word in Japanese language, so I sometimes forget to avoid it.

Additionally, some verb tenses were changed (eg. replied to "would reply") to better describe the past actions. As a native English speaker, but not one well known to the finer points of proper grammar, it reads better and more accurately.

‘After I would say "Tea, please", the flight attendant would reply, “Green or English?”’
This sentence sounds like this happened several times, but it happened only once when I got to know that “tea” also means “green tea” and that I should have said “English tea”.
Can “would” mean “it happened only once”?

"Very stupid" was changed to "odd" in the next paragraph mainly due to my feelings on the subject. I do not think what you're saying is stupid, just an illustration of different cultural preconceptions.

I see. Thank you.

Finally, do not let possible preconceptions make you scared to speak English. Interacting with people and finding out about their culture and preconceived notions can only help both sides become more knowledgeable about the world.

Hope that helps, Yuri!

Thanks!
Still! I wish I could have a chat with you in Japanese!!