"Contact lens solution" and intercultural communications

"Contact lens solution? You need a prescription for that."

My wife, who just yesterday returned from a trip to Japan, told of a humorous exchange she had. While on a side trip to Kyoto, she had left her bottle of contact lens solution at the hotel there. Now, having returned to the city of Fukuoka, she had none, and needed some.

When she explained to a front desk manager that she needed to borrow contact lens solution, the manager initially agreed, but seemed reluctant. Then, suddenly, the manager made the statement above, i.e. that my wife needed a prescription.

Eventually, my wife found a store and bought solution on her own. However, in thinking about the situation, she realized that her choice of words might have caused confusion. In particular, the word "solution" might have had a different meaning for the manager. My wife, of course, was referring to "solution" as the liquid one uses to soak and clean contact lenses. The manager, most likely, was thinking that my wife wanted more contact lenses as a "solution" to her problem. For that reason, the manager made his remark about the need for a prescription.

This incident is humorous, but it raises an important reminder when we're dealing with people from other cultures. Be aware that phrases you use might be interpreted differently by the listener. This problem occurs even between people of the same culture, but becomes more likely (and more serious) when dealing with people of other cultures.