A1 Level – Elementary
1. Do you think politeness is important?
2. What is a common greeting?
3. Do you wait your turn in line?
4. What is a small lie?
5. Do you watch how people act in public?
6. What is a quiet room?
7. Do you worry about being rude?
8. What is a strong handshake?
9. Do you think all countries have the same rules?
10. What is a friendly wave?
11. Do you offer your seat to old people?
12. What is a hidden rule?
13. Do you like clear instructions?
14. What are three simple social norms?
15. Do you think following rules makes life easier?
A2 Level – Pre-Intermediate
1. What is the difference between a social norm and a law?
2. Why are unwritten rules important for a group?
3. What are the good things and bad things about high social formality?
4. How can a person learn the social norms of a new country?
5. Should all people follow the same dress code in the office?
6. Why is it important to respect personal space?
7. Do you think social norms can change over time?
8. What is the purpose of saying “bless you” when someone sneezes?
9. How does technology change face-to-face social norms?
10. What is the difference between good manners and social pressure?
11. Do you think being honest is always better than being polite?
12. What are the problems when a person ignores all social norms?
13. When is the best time to challenge an unfair social norm?
14. What are two norms about giving gifts?
15. How does a lack of understanding of norms cause embarrassment?
B1 Level – Intermediate
1. What are the simple ways to politely ask if you offended someone?
2. How does the economy affect social expectations (e.g., tipping)?
3. Should the government provide simple guides for common cultural norms?
4. What is the difference between an old norm and a modern one?
5. Do you believe that social norms restrict individual freedom?
6. What are the challenges of managing cultural misunderstandings?
7. How does focusing on conformity affect individual expression?
8. What is the idea of “etiquette”?
9. Is it fair when some people are judged for not knowing a norm?
10. How does a lack of social experience affect norm adherence?
11. What are the basic steps for apologizing after a social mistake?
12. What is the value of norms in creating a predictable environment?
13. Should the news talk more about the positive reasons for social norms?
14. What are the simple reasons why some people prefer to break norms?
15. How does the history of a country affect its current social norms?
B2 Level – Upper-Intermediate
1. What are the simple social problems caused by demanding perfect adherence to norms?
2. What are the ethical issues when social norms are used to exclude minorities?
3. How does constant social media showing of different norms affect cultural relativism?
4. Should employers be legally required to provide cultural training?
5. How does the feeling of acceptance affect a person’s willingness to follow norms?
6. Who is responsible for challenging harmful or outdated social norms?
7. What is your simple view on the practice of deliberately testing social boundaries?
8. What is the role of education in teaching children cultural sensitivity?
9. How does the problem of cultural ignorance affect international business?
10. What are the clear problems with having too many strict social rules?
11. What are the legal differences between a social offense and a crime?
12. Do you think the main purpose of norms is to maintain social order?
13. What steps can community groups take to create inclusive norms?
14. How does the lack of a shared language affect norm understanding?
15. What are the simple psychological effects of a smooth social interaction?
C1 Level – Advanced
1. Is it fair that those who easily adapt to norms gain a social advantage?
2. What is the moral duty of a society to protect people from social pressure?
3. How do global media trends affect the speed of norm diffusion?
4. When should the government consider mandatory limits on social pressure in public?
5. What are the simple ethical problems of using norms to judge a person’s character?
6. How does focusing on speed affect the need for thoughtful, polite behavior?
7. Discuss the effects of long-term isolation on a person’s ability to navigate norms.
8. How should leaders use knowledge about social psychology to promote tolerance?
9. What is the idea of “implicit social bias”?
10. What are the long-term social effects when most norms are highly restrictive?
11. What are the clear difficulties when courts try to decide if a norm caused social harm?
12. How does the desire for personal expression affect the need for social harmony?
13. Do you think the most important thing is the preservation of fundamental human dignity?
14. What are the simple moral rules a person should follow when traveling to a different culture?
15. Should the government set a clear standard for cultural respect in all public interactions?
C2 Level – Proficiency
1. What is the true difference between a manufactured norm and a natural human behavior?
2. Should we eliminate all forms of unspoken social rules?
3. How does the idea of freedom change when behavior is always guided by invisible rules?
4. What laws are needed to prevent major corporate use of social norms in advertising?
5. How do historical views of social class affect modern politeness standards?
6. How can a society ensure that empathy is shown to people with social challenges?
7. Do you think total clarity in communication would fix all social problems?
8. What simple rules should guide people when they encounter a new culture?
9. How can we stop people from using personal choice as an excuse for rudeness?
10. What did old thinkers say about custom, public life, and the need for order?
11. What will happen to the need for human social skills if AI can manage all norms?
12. How do people use the idea of “being honest” to avoid discussing politeness?
13. How does the experience of a major cultural mistake change a person’s tolerance?
14. What is the power of a group to demand the end of unfair social norms?
15. If scientists could create a perfect, universal social guide, what would happen?
