CULTURES
Topic 6. Foreign parts (4 lessons) Reading Gapped text: I flew to Brazil by accident Listening Multiple matching: going abroad Speaking Discussion: getting to know a country Writing informal letter, creating interest Use of English Participle clauses, past tenses, negative adjectives, confusing words, extreme adjectives
Introduction: the influence of cultures 1. Reading and speaking: greeting styles in different cultures 2. Language in Use. Grammar. Phrasal verbs. Past tenses. 3. Language in Use. Vocabulary. Etiquette in different cultures. Ukrainian etiquette. Negative prefixes. 4. Confusing words. Phrasal verbs with look. 5. Writing an informal letter. (Home assignment)
Work in pairs or small groups. Look at the photographs and discuss these questions: a What similarities and differences are there between these greeting styles?
b How has your country been influenced by other cultures? Think about: language customs dress food transport music c Are these changes positive or negative in your opinion? d What are the benefits of travelling to other countries and experiencing different cultures?
Greeting in different cultures In many European countries handshaking is an automatic gesture. In France good manners require that on arriving at a business meeting a manager shakes hands with everyone present. This can be a demanding task and, in a crowded room, may require gymnastic ability if the farthest hand is to be reached. Handshaking is almost as popular in other countries — including Germany, Belgium and Italy. But Northern Europeans, such as the British and Scandinavians, are not quite so fond of physical demonstrations of friendliness.
European Handshakes are more formal than those in the United States. You will not find a lot of back-slapping at handshaking time. A quick grasp and release is the norm. In most European countries, handshakes are firm. An exception is France, where a lighter grasp is customary. Finally, it's customary to let women and those in a higher rank to extend their hands first in Europe.
Handshakes are standard business greeting gestures throughout Europe. However, the European handshake is usually exchanged before and after every meeting, no matter how many meetings you've already had. An exception is Great Britain, where, as in the United States, an initial handshake is often the only one you'll receive.
In Japan, people greet each other by bowing. A bow ranges from a small nod of the head to a long, 90 degree bend at the waist. When bowing to someone of higher social status, a deeper, longer bow indicates respect. Conversely, a small head nod is casual and informal. However, most Japanese do not expect foreigners to know proper bowing rules and so a nod of the head is usually sufficient. It is also common to bow to express thanks, to apologize, to make a request or to ask someone a favor. Shaking hands is uncommon among the Japanese, but again, exceptions are made foreigners.
Cheek kissing is very common in Southern, Central and Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Latin America. It is not as common in English-speaking Canada and the United States, Asia and Northern Europe. Depending on the local culture, cheek kissing may be considered appropriate among family members as well as friends and acquaintances: a man and a woman, two women, or two men. In Eastern Europe, male–female and female–female cheek kissing is a standard greeting among friends, while male–male cheek kisses are less common. Eastern European communist leaders often greeted each other in this fashion on public and state occasions.
What greeting style is generally accepted in Ukraine? - when people have just been introduced; - with friends and acquaintances; - between two women; - between two people of different status.
Language in use. Grammar. Phrasal verbs.
VOCABULARY 1 When sitting it is not wise (unwise) to cross one leg over the other with the sole of the foot pointing to one side as it may be pointing to another guest, which is regarded as not polite. Make sure your feet are always pointing downwards and the soles of your shoes are never visible. (Gulf states). It is not respectful to hand an object to someone or receive an object from them using one hand. Use both hands. (Japan, Korea). It is not advisable to praise an object in the home of your hosts because they will feel obliged to give it to you (Pakistan). A person who gets angry in public is considered illmannered and not educated. (Vietnam) The body should be fully covered. Even an unbuttoned shirt is regarded as not decent. (the Gulf states) It is not considerate to smoke in someone’s house without asking if you can smoke first, even if there ashtrays visible. (Finland).
Think about: - Ukrainian character, degree of openness and friendliness; - some common superstitions; - traditions of Ukrainian hospitality; - the roles of women and men, a general attitude to feminism; - eating and drinking
Read some information about Ukraine and Ukrainians. As you read think whether these observations of Ukrainian culture are true or not. 1. Ukrainian people do not smile in the streets very often. Foreigners are often confused and might think that Ukrainians are cold people. Unfortunately, Ukrainian daily life is less predictable and stable than in the Western countries, therefore Ukrainians do not smile so often. However, very soon you will realize that they are warm and friendly, and the ability to form warm informal relationships is the main feature of the Ukrainian national character.
2. Make sure to always take your shoes off when you come to someone’s apartment or house. If you do not, you will make an impression of a person with bad manners. Ukrainians do not wear shoes inside their house, in order to keep it clean. When you enter a home, leave your shoes at the door. If you are not provided with slippers, it is fine to enter the house without shoes. (This rule does not apply to offices and public places though, only homes and apartments).
3. Some superstitions are rather popular in Ukraine. Most people believe in God, but they do not want to make the devil angry either, just in case. You are certainly familiar with some of the superstitions, such as black cats, broken mirrors, or Friday the 13 th. Here are some of the popular Ukrainian superstitions, that will probably be new to you: - Never whistle inside! Ukrainian people believe it will bring bad luck to the hosts of the place you are visiting. It is true for public places as well where whistling is considered to be an absolutely inappropriate behavior. - Never shake hands, give keys or anything else in the doorway. It may bring misfortune to your guest. - Never leave an empty bottle on the table, but if a bottle is opened, drink up. - Try to sit between two people with the same name. It will bring you luck. - Don't be alarmed when somebody spits three times over his left shoulder or sits on his luggage before going on a trip.
4. Be ready to drink some alcohol. The process of drinking is rather specific. When all the glasses are full, somebody proposes a "toast", for example “to health” or “to the meeting”. Very often toasts are longer. Then people clink their glasses and drink. Very likely you will be asked to give a toast at the dinner. You can just say something nice about the hosts and their home. 5. In Ukraine it is considered fine to ask some personal questions about your life, earnings, and relationships. Even in case you are not used to such questions, do not be angry or shy. People are just not aware of the fact, that it may be considered impolite in your country.
6. You will certainly not find any militant feminism in Ukraine. You will never see a lady-policeman twisting arms of some criminal. In Ukraine the wife usually takes care of the house, doing cleaning and cooking, and her husband is responsible for all the technical jobs. If you are invited to somebody’s home, it would be nice to bring a small gift. It might be a cake, flowers, or a bottle of good wine, or it might be a gift from your home country. If there are children in the house, do not forget to bring some sweets or small souvenirs for them too. 7.
immature dishonest impossible inadequate unavailable irrational illogical
appropriate obedient comfortable patient moral correct expensive responsible important successful legal suitable
VOCABULARY 2
Phrasal verbs with look
WRITING
Reading. Masterclass P. 62 -63. Getting prepared for the test. Unit 4