A World Guide to Good manners. How not to behave badly abroad

Экскурсии и путешествия.

1. Read the text and get ready to answer the questions.

 

1. Are you fond of travelling? Have you travelled a lot?

2. What places have you visited? What impressed you most?

3. Why do people travel? How do different people spend their holidays?

4. What means of travelling do you know?

5. What are their advantages and disadvantages?

6. How do you prefer to travel? Why?

7. Why do people take a camera with them? What do they usually photograph?

8. What do we see and learn while travelling?

9. Have you ever travelled by sea? Was it a liner or a small boat?

Do you get seasick?

1. Have you ever taken a holiday cruise down the Volga, the Kama or along the Black Sea coast?

2. Some people prefer to travel on their own and hate travelling in a group.

What about you?

 

1. Have you ever been abroad? How did you travel?

2. What countries would you like to visit? Why?

 

Vocabulary

abroad - за границей

all over the world - во всём мире

different - разные

way of life - образ жизни

musical rhythms - музыкальные ритмы

shop window - витрина магазина

rity-dweller - горожанин

 

Millions of people all over the world spend their holidays travelling. They travel to see other countries and continents, modern cities and the ruins of ancient towns, they travel to enjoy picturesque places, or just for a change of scene. It's always interesting to discover new things, different ways of life, to meet different people, to try different food, to listen to different musical rhythms.

Those who live in the country like to go to a big city and spend their time visiting museums and art galleries, looking at shop windows and dining at exotic restaurants. City-dwellers usually like a quiet holiday by the sea or in the mountains, with nothing to do but walk and bathe and laze in the sun.

Most travellers and holiday-makers take a camera with them and take pictures of everything that interests them - the sights of a city, old churches and castles, views of mountains, lakes, valleys, plains, waterfalls, forests; different kinds of trees, flowers and plants, animals and birds. Later, perhaps years later, they will be reminded by the photos of the happy time they have had.

People travel by train, by plane, by boat and by car. All means of travel have their advantages and disadvantages. And people choose one according to their plans and destinations.

If we are fond of travelling, we see and learn a lot of things that we can never see or learn at home, though we may read about them in books and newspapers, and see pictures of them on TV. The best way to study geography is to travel, and the best way to get to know and understand people is to meet them in their own homes.

 

1. Read and translate the dialogue. Use it as a pattern for your role

Play.

 

Delegate Registration

Secretary: What's your name, please?

Delegate: My name's John Brown.

Secretary: How old are you?

Delegate: I'm 54.

Secretary: What's your occupation?

Delegate: I'm a physical education teacher. Secretary: What's your nationality?

Delegate: I'm English.

Secretary: Where d'you come from?

Delegate: London.

The Grand Hotel.

Secretary: What's your permanent address?

Delegate: 22, Holland Park, London, W. 11.

Secretary: Where are you staying over here?

Delegate: The Grand Hotel.

 

1. Role play. Imagine that you are at the hotel abroad. Dramatize the dialogue.

At the hotel

A sportsman: Good morning.

An administrator: Good morning.

A sportsman: My name is Victor. Му surname is Petrov.

I have reserved a room for three nights.

An administrator: Would you like a single or a double room?

A sportsman: I’d like a single one.

An administrator: Your room is number 56. May I have your passport?

A sportsman: Yes, please. Here’s my passport.

An administrator: Thank you. Here’s the key to your room.

A sportsman: Thank you.

1. Read the text and try to memorize this useful information for travellers.

A World Guide to 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're German, they'll be bang on time. If they're American, 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 guidebooks 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.

The British are happy to have a business lunch and discuss business 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.

 

American executives sometimes signal their feeling of ease and importance in their offices by putting their 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 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 rulebook 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 a bow is a very important part of greeting someone. You should not expect Japanese to shake hands. Bowing the head is a mark of respect and the first bow of the day should be lower than 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.

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

 

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

In Pakistan you mustn't wink. It is offensive.

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

 

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

 

1. Test youself. Choose the correct answer.

A.Which nationality is the most punctual?

1. The British

2. The German

3. The American

4. The Italians

B. Which nationality is the least punctual?

1. The Italians

2. The British

3. The Americans

4. The Germans

C. Why did the British think that everyone understood their customs?

1. Because they thought highly of other nationalities.

2. Because the European Community began to increase in size.

3. Because a lot of guidebooks appeared giving advice on international etiquette.

4. Because they believed that people acquire the knowledge of British customs together with the English language.

D. Which nationality likes to eat and do business at the same time?

1. The Japanese

2. The British

3. The Germans

4. The French

E. Why would the Japanese be shocked if somebody put his feet on the desk?

1. Because they would consider it the ignorance of their habits.

2. Because they would never expect such a thing to happen.

3. Because they would consider the person crazy.

4. Because they would think that the person is extremely ill-bred.

F. Why is it necessary to exchange business cards when you meet the Japanese?

1. They must know how to behave with you.

2. They don't shake hands.

3. It is essential for them to know your age.

4. It is an ancient custom.

G. Why do the Americans find it difficult to accept Japanese manners?

1. They find the Japanese customs senseless.

2. They consider the Japanese old fashioned.

3. They prefer not to be so formal.

4. They think it is difficult to complete a business deal with people in Japan.

H. Why is it not a good idea to say that you like your Egyptian friend's vase?

1. He may feel shocked by your emotional speech.

2. He may dislike it.

3. He may feel that he has to present it to you.

4. He may be embarrassed.

J. What is the main topic of conversation between strangers in America?

1. The weather.

2. Politics.

3. Latest news.

4. Familiar places.

K. In what country do people have no special rules of behaviour about hands?

1. Thailand.

2. Japan.

3. Egypt.

4. Britain.