I've also noticed this while learning Chinese -- I think quite a bit of the initial difficulty with learning a second language is just training your brain what to expect next.
Going into a 711 to get a coffee in Taiwan you know approximately what questions they are going to ask: size, hot/cold, do you want a bag (to hang on your scooter), and do you want a receipt.
Similar with the supermarket, a restaurant, when getting train tickets, etc.
You're just building up what questions to expect next for the scenario -- if the conversation deviates from that (even with words or questions you might know) your brain has a hard time initially adapting to that.
> if the conversation deviates from that (even with words or questions you might know) your brain has a hard time initially adapting to that.
This even happens in your native language. I'm sure all of us have said something like "Good, and you?" in response to an expected "How's it going?" or similar greeting, but the other person started with something different and it became a non-sequitur. I'd never given it much thought, but I wonder if part of the feeling of social awkwardness here is contributed by the pattern mismatch, rather than the outcomes?
The incredible awkwardness of expressing the wrong token in the exchange. Like after having paid someone and they say "thankyou" and you say "you're welcome" automatically, but it's wrong to say that.
A friend once answered the phone with "Hi, I'd like to speak to John in sales please" and even though (or because) I recognised his voice I was paralyzed for a moment. "But I rang you". I almost had to lie down.
Going into a 711 to get a coffee in Taiwan you know approximately what questions they are going to ask: size, hot/cold, do you want a bag (to hang on your scooter), and do you want a receipt.
Similar with the supermarket, a restaurant, when getting train tickets, etc.
You're just building up what questions to expect next for the scenario -- if the conversation deviates from that (even with words or questions you might know) your brain has a hard time initially adapting to that.