The question "What are the rights and
obligations of friendship?" is a question that is usually not asked.{{U}}
(36) {{/U}}many other aspects of our social life, friendship is{{U}}
(37) {{/U}}for granted. How to relate, to communicate{{U}} (38)
{{/U}}friends, is not something we need to learn, it is something we do{{U}}
(39) {{/U}}asking how or why. It's natural, we feel, and international
Everyone has fiends and so{{U}} (40) {{/U}}everyone behaves the same way
towards{{U}} (41) {{/U}}. While the former is obviously true, the latter
is not. And it is from often small differences in opinions about the nature of
friendship{{U}} (42) {{/U}}big miscommunications arise.
{{U}} (43) {{/U}}many Chinese the major obligation of friendship
is{{U}} (44) {{/U}}. True friends are expected to be prepared to
offer{{U}} (45) {{/U}}mental or moral support but also a wide range of
help and assistance In Australia,{{U}} (46) {{/U}}support would usually
be aimed at helping the recipient express his or{{U}} (47) {{/U}}own
desires.{{U}} (48) {{/U}}, questions such as "What do you think?", are
frequently asked "What do you want to do?",{{U}} (49) {{/U}}Australians
are discussing personal problems. Chinese often comment on the
frequency with{{U}} (50) {{/U}}Australians apologize to their friends{{U}}
(51) {{/U}}minor. inconveniences telephoning late at night or asking
someone to help in some way,{{U}} (52) {{/U}}. We also notice that{{U}}
(53) {{/U}}tend to use polite forms such as "could you" , "would you
mind" even with close friends. In Chinese, more direct forms are usually used
between friends. This sometimes{{U}} (54) {{/U}}Chinese appearing to be
too direct or demanding when talking to their Australian friends.{{U}} (55)
{{/U}}, we may think Australians are distant and cold in their
friendships.