ROLEPLAY SCRIPT SCENE 2:

[Riko]: (15-degree bow) Hajimemashite! Are

[Narrator]: The Japanese word you the Filipino who's come here to work?
"omotenashi," means hospitality. However, Nice to meet you, I'm Riko.
what if we told you that it begins with what is [Jenny]: (60-degree bow) Ah,
not said? That in Japan, the space between Hajimemashite! (gestures to self) Jenny-
words hold more meaning than the words desu!
themselves? That every carefully measured [Riko]: (amused) Hey, you don't need to bow
bow carries generations of wisdom? that low. That is for funerals!
[Aoi]: And, try not to make direct eye contact.
Our story begins with Jenny, a single working It can be interpreted as a threat or challenge.
mother who hopes to make a decent living in [Jenny]: Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to.
Japan with her only daughter, Sophia. It (looks at the floor)
begins at the heart of Kyoto, where a lifelong [Aoi]: You're overdoing it! You can simply
Japanese local, and Jenny’s friend, Aoi, look at her collar. Non-verbal communication
shows Jenny the unspoken rules that govern may not be obvious, but it is important, too.
daily life in Japan.
SCENE 3:
SCENE 1: [Narrator]: Japanese has three politeness
[Narrator]: In Japan, direct refusal is often levels: casual, polite, and honorific. Adults
avoided to maintain wa - social harmony. constantly switch between them like social
What may sound like hesitation is actually traffic signals.
careful communication. This is seen when Aoi [Riko]: (Answers phone) Hai, Riko de
and Jenny decide to visit a teashop. gozaimasu... Kashikomarimashita. Taiou
[Mr. Tanaka]: (Bowing slightly) Irasshaimase. itashimasu. [Yes, this is Riko speaking...
Do you have a reservation? Understood. I'll handle it immediately.] (Hangs
[Jenny]: (Over-bowing) Ah, iie... iima [no]. Is up, slumping) Ugh, work.
there space now? [Jenny]: (surprised) Oh, was that someone
[Mr. Tanaka]: There is plenty of room! important, Riko-san? Your tone changed.
Please, settle in. [Aoi]: The tone she used is 'keigo', only used
[Aoi]: We often don't directly say 'yes' or 'no'. for superiors - we use different language for
If, for example, we say "it's a bit crowded," we superiors versus friends.
often mean "we can't accommodate you." [Mr. Tanaka]: (brings tea over)
[Jenny]: Ahh, alright. So in Japan, what’s not [Jenny]: Ah... Ah... arigatou...? (Turns to Aoi)
said is often as important as what is? Is that right?
[Aoi]: Exactly! You're a fast learner. Let's wait [Aoi]: Almost perfect! "Ocha o arigatou
for my friend, shall we? She shouldn't take gozaimasu" fits better.
long... [Mr. Tanaka]: (nods with a small smile before
[Riko]: (Suddenly enters) Oi! Hisashiburi leaving.)
[Long time no see]! (turns to the tea house
owner) Tanaka-san, sorry for dropping by so SCENE 4:
suddenly! [Narrator]: While Jenny and her Japanese
[Mr. Tanaka]: (Delighted) Maa, Riko-san friends bond at the teashop, her daughter,
nara... duzuo [come in]. Sophia, is treading unfamiliar ground at her
[Jenny] (Disoriented) Huh? What just new school.
happened? [Ruby]: (stands, looks at the door) Minna!
[Aoi]: In Japan, who you know can override sensei ga kimashita (Everyone! the teacher
formal rules - a concept called uchi-soto. The has arrived). Kiritsu! Rei! (Stand, bow!)
better you know someone, the less you have [Students]: Ohayu Gozaimasu!
to be formal. It is part of high-context [Sensei]: (bows back)
communication! [Ruby]: Chakuseki! (Sit)
[Narrator]: In Japan, only 30% of [Sensei]: Ohayo gozaimasu, my students.
communication happens through words. The Before we start our class, we have a new
rest is in what's not said. student joining us. (Gestures off-stage)
Please come in. This is Sofia. She’s from the
Philippines, and she’ll be joining our class stumbled or made suggestions outside the
starting today. norm, her groupmates responded kindly.
[Sofia]: (waves with a small smile) They chose to include her ideas rather than
Uhm, hello everyone. Nice to meet you. reject them — showing that in since Japan
[Student 1]: Why didn’t she bow? has a group-oriented culture, working
[Student 2]: Perhaps she does not know… together matters more than standing out.
[Sensei]: (gently steps in) In Japan, we
usually bow when greeting. But don’t worry — SCENE 6:
Sofia is still learning our customs. [Narrator]: Soon, class draws to a close. To
[Ruby]: Minna! Let’s all help her adjust! end the day, Sophia decides to speak to
Sofia, you can sit next to me. I’m Ruby! Ruby one last time before heading home.
[Sofia]: OMG, trulalu ba gurla? Uhh, I mean [Sofia]: (Finishes packing her things) Ruby-
arigatou gozaimasu (settles in her seat). chan!
[Sensei]: Now, before we start our lesson, [Ruby]: Hai~ (visibly tenses once Sofia hugs
let’s do an activity. We will be dividing the her) Ah... Sofia-san...
class into two groups. (Gestures toward the [Sofia]: Wanna head home together? Oh,
students) This is group one, and group two. and have you seen the news about that one
Each group will create a short presentation anime plot twist? It’s so controversial—
about an international tradition. You have 5 [Ruby]: (gently) Sofia-san… maybe we can
minutes to plan. Start now! talk more quietly?
[Student A]: Maybe we can present about [Sofia]: (confused) Huh? Why? Are we not
Tanabata? allowed to talk here?
[Sofia]: Ooh! How about we do present the [Ruby]: It’s okay to talk, but… in Japan, most
concept of 'bayanihan' from the Philippines? spaces are usually quiet. Loud voices or
[Student B]: (smiles awkwardly) That’s… a hugging… it can make people uncomfortable.
nice idea. But… maybe Japanese tradition
would be… easier for the class to [Sofia]: (embarrassed) Oh no… did I
understand. embarrass you?
[Sofia]: Oh… okay. I just thought it would be [Ruby]: (smiles kindly) No, no. I know you
fun. were just being friendly. Different countries,
[Student A]: (trying to ease tension) Maybe different ways. It just surprised me.
we can include both? [Sofia]: (laughs softly) I guess in the
[Student B]: Ah! Yes, Tanabata and Philippines, we’re more… loud.
Bayanihan can show how different countries [Ruby]: (nods) Yes. In Japan, we often show
celebrate togetherness! emotions more subtly. But I like learning
[Narration]: In Japan, people often avoid about your way, too.
direct confrontation. Even when Sofia, the [Sofia]: Thanks for telling me. Next time, no
new student, didn’t bow — which is a sudden hugs. Maybe just… a quiet “hi”?
common custom — no one corrected her [Ruby]: Deal! And maybe I’ll try a friendly
directly. Instead, her classmates and teacher wave next time.
chose to guide her gently. It was her first day, [Narrator]: Misunderstandings are normal in
and already she was starting to learn through intercultural communication. But with open
kindness, not pressure. minds and kind hearts, we learn — and
connect better.
Scene 5:
[Sofia]: That wraps it up for Ta…tabana, I
mean—Tanabata, sorry!
[Student A]: (kindly) It’s okay, Sofia. It’s hard
even for Japanese kids sometimes.
[Sofia]: (laughs, a bit embarrassed) Thank
you. That concludes our presentation.
[Sensei]: Good, class! I’m happy to see such
cooperation and learning from each other.
[Narrator]: Japanese culture values harmony
and helping others. Even when Sofia