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Unfamiliar = don't know well?

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Apr 16th 2011 16:23 how-to-phrase
(A) When you go to an unfamiliar place, you should adjust yourself to its culture.
(B) When you go to a place you don't know, you should adjust yourself to its culture.
(C) When you go to a place you don't know well, you should adjust yourself to its culture.

I'm not sure whether you feel (B) or (C) refer to the same situation as (A).
Could you please tell it to me?


Thanks a million, everyone!!
s
Apr 18th 2011 01:39
They sound similar to me. The only possible difference is that "unfamiliar" implies that the customs and culture of the place are different from those you are used to, whereas "don't know" or "don't know well" can mean that you don't know your way around. "Unfamiliar" can also mean that, but I think "unfamiliar" and "don't know well" carry slightly stronger connotations in different directions.
Apr 18th 2011 08:20 M-K-G
Thank you so much, saritza-san!

I wonder if "a place you don't know" in (B) means not that you don't know your way around, but that you don't know the existence of the place or its name.

What do you think about this?
Apr 18th 2011 09:11 s
To me, it sounds like it would mean that you have never been there before. I think that's because "when you go" implies that you go there on purpose, and also the second half of the sentence implies that you are going to be there for a significant period of time.
If you said, "If you find yourself in a place you don't know, look for street signs and try to find your way to a main street," then "a place you don't know" would mean you are lost.
Apr 18th 2011 22:07 M-K-G
I understand.
Thank you very much!!
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(A) When you go to an unfamiliar place, you should adjust yourself to its culture. (B) When you go to a place you don't know, you should adjust yourself to its culture. (C) When you go to a place you don't know well, you should adjust yourself to its culture. I'm not sure whether you feel (B) or


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