|
Unit 12 Culture Shock Lesson 2 Mind Your Manners Exercise 2 Listen to Part 1 of the interview about communication in different cultures.Compare what the expert says with your answer from Exercise 1. Good morning and welcome to "Culture Matters".Today we're looking at different styles of communication in different cultures. We have Dr Jan Groot,from Utrecht University in Holland in the studio. Good morning.Can you tell us what the main differences are in the way people around the world communicate? Well, one of the main differences is between cultures that express how they feel let's call them "open" cultures and others which generally try not to show their feelings let's call them "closed" cultures. People from "open" cultures generally show how they feel quite openly when they are happy,or when they are angry. "Closed" cultures avoid showing their feelings,especially in more serious situations,such as at school,university or work. People from "closed" cultures are usually quieter and seem shyer and more modest than people from "open" cultures. Which cultures, then , are "open" and which are "closed"? Mm, people from Latin cultures usually show their felings more for example, the Italians. When asked if they would show that they were angry at work,71% of Italians indicated that they would show this openly. And what about "closed" cultures? Eastern cultures and northern European cultures do not show their feelings as much. For example, only 17% of the Japanese would show anger openly at work. And only 29% of the British would show they were angry. I see. Curiously enough, the Americans are more like the Italians -- over 60% would express anger openly in a work situation. Culturally, Americans are in between "open" and "close" cultures-in some ways they are more "open" and in other ways they are more "closed". Exercise 3 Listen to Part 2 of the interview and complete the table. What differences are there in the way people actually express themselves using hand movements and that sort of thing? Well, people from "open" cultures,like the Italians,tend to use a lot more hand movements,you know, using not only their hands but their arms. People in more "closed" cultures,like the Japanese, Northern Europeans and even Americans,don't used hand movement nearly as much. Mm, yes. Also, people from "open" cultures usually look more directly at the person they are speaking to. The British and American often look at people to start with and then they took away. People from Eastern cultures like Japan,never look directly at the other person To look at someone very directly is extremely rude. And what about speaking? Right, well people from "open" cultures are more likely to interrupt or speak at the same time as the other person. In "closed" cultures,one person starts speaking only when the other has stopped. In a place like Japan,people never interrupt each other. They also wait for a while before speaking,so there is more silence. Finally, what about manners. What differences are there? Well, Japanese and British people might seem more polite than Americans and people from Latin cultures. British people usually use "please", "thank you" and "I'm sorry" more often. In Britain, it is very important to say "please" and "thank you", even for the smallest things. If you don't, it sounds very rude. In other cultures, like Latin cultures, to say "please" and "thank you" all the time sounds a bit false. I see. Well, thank you very much Dr Groot. That was fascinating. I'm afraid we'll have to stop there. Tomorrow we'll be... Exercise 4 Listen and match the pictures with the dialogues. dialogue 1(formal) Excuse me? Could you pas the lemon and salt,please? Yes,certainly. Thank you. You're welcome. dialogue 2(informal) So,what do you think we should do this weekend? What about going canoeing again? Yeah,last time we went it was great! Oh,we should take our flashlights and explore that cave. I'd rather not,thanks. I'd rather stay cozy and read my novel. All right,oh,how about going to the circus. dialogue 3(formal) Excuse me,Mrs Davis? Do you think I could speak to you? Yes,dear. Would you mind giving me and my schoolmate a lift to school? We need to see the headmaster. Of course not.In about ten minutes,OK? We can go on the jeep. Thanks a lot.That's very kind of you. It's no trouble.Any time. dialogue 4(informal) Hi,Christina.Have you got the blankets and sheets you borrowed? Oh,I've forgotten them!I'm really sorry. That's OK,bring them tomorrow. I need them for a campaign train. Yes,I will,I promise. Exercise 5 Listen to the dialogues and complete the Function File. Pronunciation: Exercise 6 Listen and repeat the expressions. 1. Excuse me? Could you pass the salt,please? 2. You're welcome. 3 I'd rather not,thanks. 4. Do you think I could have a word with you? 5. Would you mind giving me a lift to school? 6. Thanks a lot. That's very kind of you. 7. Oh,I've forgotten it! I'm really sorry. Exercise 7 Listen to the dialogues again. This time Christina sounds rude.Why? dialogue 1 Could you pass the salt? I'm sorry? I said,could you pass the salt? Yes,there you are. dialogue 2 So,what do you think we should do this weekend What about going canoeing again? Yeah,last time we went it was great! We could maybe... No,I didn't enjoy it last time.It was awful. Well,all right,maybe not. dialogue 3 Er,Mrs Davis? Yes,dear. Could you give me a lift to school? I'm ready now,are you? Er,well,in about ten minutes,OK? Yes,good. dialogue 4 Hi,Christina.Have you got that CD you borrowed? What CD?Oh,that one.No,I haven't. Well,could you bring it tomorrow. Yes,if I remember. Exercise 9 Now listen to the dialogue and check your answers. Hey,Anne?Are you going to the canteen? Well,I'm going back home. I'm in a bit of a hurry. Do you think you could drop me off at the mailbox? OK,but hurry up. I've got to pick up my twin sisters in twenty minutes. Great!Hang on a second.I'll just get my bag. I'm going to the courtyard. Catch up with me there! |
