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men talk about sex when women are present.
Another scene is found in Season 3, episode 12, scene 1.
a) Description of Scene:
In this scene, Rachel is choosing her dress for her first day at the new job. She run
out from her bedroom, wearing only a towel, asking Chandler about whether he
likes her shoes. Chandler appeared to focus more on Rachel‟s towel than on her
shoes.
b) Line:
Rachel: “Okay, hey, umm. Does everybody hate these shoes?”
Chandler: “Oh yeah, but don‟t worry. I don‟t think anybody‟s gonna focus on
c) Possible clues for cultural differences.
that as long as your wearing that towel dress.”
In the US, “sexy” can be taken as a compliment. However, in China, “sexy” is
hardly used in daily communication between friends.
It is offensive and can be taken as a kind of sexual harassment. For people of the
opposite sex, they would not use “sexy” when issuing a comment on each other‟s dress,
despite having known each other for a long time. Using this sort of language would
also be against the concept of intergroup harmony.
A similar example is found in Season 6, episode 6, scene 3.
a) Description of Scene:
In this scene, Monica is about to live with Chandler, while Rachel has to move out
from the apartment. They are planning to dine out as a celebration. Phoebe is so
happy that she wants to double the happiness by stating that it is her birthday as
well.
b) Line:
Monica: “Well, instead of being sad that tonight is my last night together with
Rachel we thought we‟d go out to dinner and celebrate the fact that Rachel is
moving in with Phoebe.”
Phoebe: “And also, my birthday.”
Monica: “It‟s not your birthday.”
Phoebe: “What a mean thing to say! I would never tell you it‟s not your birthday!”
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