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Good manners. How not to behave badly abroad




Travelling to all corners of the world gets easier and easier. We live in a global village, but how well do we know and understand each other? Here is a simple test. Imagine you have arranged a meeting at four o’clock. What time should you expect your foreign business colleagues to arrive? If they are German, they'll be bang on time. If they’re Americans, they’ll probably be 15 minutes early. If they are British, they’ll be 15 minutes late, and you should allow up to an hour for the Italians.

When the European Community began to increase in size, several quidebooks appeared giving advice on international etiquette. At first many people thought this was a joke, especially the British, who seemed to assume that the widespread understanding of their language meant a corresponding understanding of English customs. Very soon they had to change their ideas, as they realized that they had a lot to learn about how to behave with their foreign business friends.

For example:

§ The British are happy to have a business lunch and discuss matters with a drink during the meal; the Japanese prefer not to work while eating. Lunch is a time to relax and get to know one another, and they rarely drink at lunchtime.

§ The Germans like to talk business before dinner; the French like to eat first and talk afterwards. They have to be well fed and watered before they discuss anything.

§ Taking off your jacket and rolling up your sleeves is a sign of getting down to work in Britain and Holland, but in Germany people regard it as taking it easy.

§ Americans executives sometimes signal their feelings of ease and importance in their offices by putting feet on the desk whilst on the telephone. In Japan, people would be shocked. Showing the soles of your feet is the height of bad manners. It is a social insult only exceeded by blowing your nose in public.

The Japanese have perhaps the strictest rules of social and business behaviour. Seniority is a very important, and a younger man should never be sent to complete a business deal with an older Japanese man. The Japanese business card almost needs a rule book of its own. You must exchange business cards immediately on meeting because it is essential to establish everyone's status and position.

When it is handed to a person in a superior position, it must be given and received with both hands, and you must take time to read it carefully, and not just put it in your pocket! Also the bow is a very important part of greeting someone. You should not expect the Japanese to shake the hands. Bowing the head is a mark or respect and the first bow of the day should be lower then when you meet thereafter.

The Americans sometimes find it difficult to accept the more formal Japanese manners. They prefer to be casual and more informal, as illustrated by the universal “Have a nice day!” American waiters have a one-word imperative “Enjoy!” The British, of course, are cool and reserved. The great topic of conversation between strangers in Britain is the weather – unemotional and impersonal. In America, the main topic between strangers is the search to find a geographical link. “Oh, really? You live in Ohio? I had an uncle who once worked there.”

“WHEN IN ROME, DO AS THE ROMANS DO”

Here are some final tips for travelers.

Ø In France you shouldn’t sit down in a cafe until you’ve shaken hands with everyone you know.

Ø In Afghanistan you should spend at least five minutes saying hello.

Ø In Pakistan you mustn’t wink. It is offensive.

Ø In the Middle East you must never use the left hands for greeting, drinking or smoking. Also, you should take care not to admire anything in your hosts’ home. They will feel that they have to give it to you.

Ø In Russia you must match your hosts drink for drink or they will think you are unfriendly.

Ø In Thailand you should claps your hands together and lower your head and your eyes when you greet someone.

Ø In America you should eat your hamburger with both hands and as quickly as possible. You shouldn’t try to have a conversation until it is eaten.

 

 

15. Answer the questions on the text.

1) What nationalities are mentioned in the text?

2) Which nationalities are the most and least punctual?

3) Why did the British think that everyone understood their customs?

4) Which nationalities do not like to eat and do business at the same time?

5) Who do you normally have to feed and water?

6) Which nationalities have rules of behaviour about hands? What are the rules?

7) Why is it not a good idea to…

… say that you absolutely love your Egyptian friend’s vase?

…say “Hi! See you later!” when you’re introduced to someone in Afghanistan?

… discuss politics with your American friend in a McDonald’s?

8) How do you think if this article is serious or light-hearted? Why?

 
 


16. Discuss the following.

 

1) Do you agree with the saying “When in Rome, do as the Romans do?” Do you have a similar saying in your language?

2) What are the “rules” about greeting people in your country? When do you shake hands? When do you kiss? What about when you say goodbye?

3) Think of one or two examples of bad manners. For example, in Britain it is considered impolite to ask people how much they earn.

4) What advice would you give somebody coming to live and work in your country?

 

17. Look at the pictures and find the English gestures which mean:

 

А. Everything is all right. E. Goodbye! B. Let's hope for the best. F. Come here! C. I don't know. G. This is exciting! D. Let me think about this. H. Oh, no! Not again!
 
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

UNIT 5

FAMILY LIFE

1. What members of the family can you name?

2. Now read the text and check what other members of the family you forgot or found new for yourself? What words are new for you?

When two persons are married, the man is called the husband; the woman becomes his wife. When a child is born in the family, the father and mother of the child are called parents. A family generally consists of a father, a mother and children — sons or daughters or both. The first born child is the eldest, the last born — the youngest. Two children that are born together are called twins.

The father and mother of the husband become the father-in-law and mother-in-law. The husband is the son-in-law; the wife — the daughter-in-law; they have brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

The other members of the family are the relatives: uncles, aunts, cousins, etc.

The brothers and sisters of any of the parents become uncles and aunts of the children. The children of two married: brothers or sisters or brother and sister are cousins to each other.

In case of a second marriage, we speak of a step-father or step-mother, step-son, step-daughter, etc.

 

3. Look at the words in the vocabulary box.





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