Peaches and coconuts.docx Peaches and coconuts - the art of managing small talk The Coconut Cultur e People from a coconut culture are more reserved and only offer a thin layer of their private ‘ space ’ . Therefore they may appear serious and a bit distant during initial social conversations - this is the ‘ hard shell ’ you experience when you first meet coconuts. It can mean that not much personal information is shared in the beginning; this is perceived as being polite. For peaches, it ’ s difficult to get know a coconut fast. The Peach Culture Peaches , on the other hand, are seen as relatively more sociable. They like ‘ large talk ’ with people they don ’ t know. They like to share personal space with others and even talk about private aspects easily. Peaches are more likely to small a lot and be enthusiastic towards others. This is politeness. Of course, they still keep a small area, the ‘ peach stone ’ , private from others. Solving the peach-coconut challenge When peaches and coconuts meet, misunderstanding is common. Peaches can see coconuts as cold and difficult to get to know, because they don ’ t engage much in social conversation. On the other hand, coconuts can see peaches as too friendly, superficial and even impolite because they ask too many personal questions. The peach and coconut metaphor highlights important cultural differences and tells us that what we think is polite may be seen as impolite by others. The answer? To be effective across cultures we should firstly not misinterpret signals we receive from others. Understanding the meaning of signals gives both sides the freedom to stay as we are. We also could become more flexible and adopt our style to people from different cultures - to be more ‘ peach ’ with the peach and more like a coconut with coconuts, so that the other side feels comfortable. Perhaps we should become pea-nuts, Read the passage and answer the questions: What is the style of polite small talk for a coconut? What is the style of polite small talk for a peach? How can peaches and coconuts negatively judge each other? The article ends, 'Perhaps we should become "pea-nuts". What does this mean?