Welcome to the Unit Unit 3

Do you want to know more? A quiz on cultural difference

1) In Western countries, it’s unusual to give tips.1) In Western countries, it’s unusual to give tips. ( ) ( ) 2) Westerners tend to avoid using13. ( )2) Westerners tend to avoid using13. ( ) 3) Nodding your head up and down always3) Nodding your head up and down always means yes. ( ) means yes. ( ) 4) Usually, one should never give a clock as a4) Usually, one should never give a clock as a gift in China. ( ) gift in China. ( ) 5) Never point to anything with your foot in5) Never point to anything with your foot in Vietnam( 越南 ). ( ) Vietnam( 越南 ). ( ) 6) You can pass something to an older person6) You can pass something to an older person with one hand in Korea. ( ) with one hand in Korea. ( ) 7) In Canada, it’s OK to arrive early if you are7) In Canada, it’s OK to arrive early if you are invited to someone’s house? ( ) invited to someone’s house? ( ) No Yes No Yes No

Can you match the ways of greeting with the countries? Netherlands putting their hands together and bowing slightly Thailand kissing each other on one cheek and then the other greeting each other by touching noses South America hugging each otherThe Middle East

Read the passage to do T or F questions: 1. Greetings are meant to show friendship and respect. 2. Possibly the most unusual way for people to greet each other is to put one’s hands together at the chest. 3. Handshake was first used in the Middle Ages. 4. In the United States, people shake hands when they meet important people. 5. The Europeans shake hands gently. T F T T T

When it comes to the first impression, a proper greeting is of the utmost importance. Before you group together all English- speaking people, remember there are many differences greeting manners between Various countries. For example, Americans like a strong handshake that shows respect, as well as a simple greeting, ie. ‘Hello, nice short reading What do Americans/the British/Australians like doing to show respect?

to meet you’. Or ‘Hi, my name is John.’ On the contrary, the British prefer a brief but firm handshake associated with a formal greeting such as ‘Good morning, Mr Blair. How are you?’. Australians also differ with people commonly preferring a simple ‘G’day (Good day) in casual situations. Whether you are introducing yourself to others or seeing an old friend, it is important to use the proper greeting according to the different cultures and situations.

Discussion As a Chinese, if you are not familiar with greetings from other countries, what might happen? Maybe we would feel embarrassed; we might be involved in awkward situations like …

Homework Read the passage in Part A in Workbook.