Class Ten: English

UNIT ONE

GIVING, WITHHOLDING AND REPORTING PERMISSION

Reading

A. Engage yourself

1. Look at the pictures below, and answer the following questions.

a. Where are these people from?

b. How do they greet each other?

2. Describe your dining etiquette. Is it different from the Japanese people?

B. Study time

Read the following text quickly, and answer these questions.

a. How do the Canadians greet each other?

b. How long does it take for Latin Americans to complete their lunch?

c. Where do people take off their shoes when entering a restaurant?    

A World Guide to Good Manners: How not to Behave Badly Abroad

Travelling to all corners of the world is getting easier and easier. We live in a global village, but this doesn’t mean that we all behave in the same way. Different people of different countries have their own way of life.

Greetings

How should you behave when you meet someone for the first time? An American or Canadian shakes your hand firmly while looking you straight in the eyes. In many parts of Asia, there is no physical contact at all. In Japan, you should bow, and the more you respect the person, the deeper you should bow.

In Thailand, the greeting is made by pressing both hands together at the chest, as if you are praying, and bowing your head slightly. In both countries, eye contact is avoided as a sign of respect.

Clothes

Many countries have rules about what you should and should not wear. In Asian and Muslim countries, you should not reveal the body, especially women, who should wear long sleeved tops. In Japan, you should take off your shoes when entering a house or a restaurant. Remember to place them together facing the door you came in. This is also true in China, Korea, Thailand and Iran.

Food and drink

In Italy, Spain, and Latin America, lunch is often the biggest meal of the day, and can last two or three hours. For this reason many people eat a light breakfast and a late dinner. In Britain, you might have a business lunch and do business as you eat. In Mexico and Japan, many people prefer not to discuss business while eating. Lunch is a time to relax and socialise, and the Japanese rarely drink alcohol at lunchtimes. In Britain and the United States, it is not unusual to have a business meeting over breakfast, and in China it is common to have business banquets, but you should not discuss business during the meal.

Doing business

In most countries, an exchange of business cards is essential for all introductions. You should include your company name and your position in a bussiness card. If you are going to a country where your language is not widely spoken, you can get the reverse side of your card printed in the local anguage. In Japan, you must present your card with both hands, with the writing facing the person you are giving it to.

In many countries, business hours are from 9 or 10 am to 5 or 6 pm. However, in some counties, such as Greece, Italy, and Spain, some businesses close in the early afternoon for a couple of hours then remain open until the evening. Japanese business people consider it their professional duty to go out after work with colleagues to restaurants, bars, or nightclubs. If you are invited, you should not refuse, even if you do not feel like staying out late.

Extra tips

Here are some extra tips that help you when you travel.

1. In many Asian cultures, it is acceptable to smack your lips when you eat. It means that the food is good.

2. In France, you should not sit down in a cafe until you have shaken hands with everyone you know.

3. In India and the Middle East, you must never use the left hand for greeting, eating or drinking.

4. In China, your host will keep refilling your dish unless you lay your chopsticks across your bowl.

5. Most South Americans and Mexicans like to stand very close to the person they are talking to. You should not back away.

6. In Russia, you must match your host's drink for drink or they will think you are unfriendly.

7. In Ireland, social events sometimes end with singing and dancing. You might be asked to sing.

8. In America, you should eat your hamburger with both hands and as quickly as possible. You should not try to have a conversation until it is eaten.

1. Vocabulary in use

Solve the crossword puzzle using appropriate words from the text.

1. uncomfortable; humiliating 

2. a part of a piece of clothing that 

1. show 

2. in a strong or definite covers your arm way

3. opposite

4. co-workers

Answer: 1. Vocabulary in use

a. the word is not given in the text; it’s actually ‘embarrassing’

b. sleeve                      c. reveal

d. firmly                      e. reverse

f. colleagues

2. Reading comprehension

i. Read the text, and decide wehether the following statements are true or false.

a. When an American meets us for the 􀂿 rst time, we shake hands. True

b. In many parts of Asia, friends kiss on both cheeks when they meet. False

c. In Mexico, many people think that lunch is a time to relax and socialise. True

d. In India, we should take off our shoes when entering a restaurant. False

e. In Japan, we must present our business cards with both hands. True

f. In Spain, some businesses close in the early afternoon for a couple of hours. True

ii. Read the text again, and answer the following questions.

a. Mention any one difference between the American and the Japanese greetings.

Answer: Americans make physical contact but Japanese people don’t make physical contanct during greeting.

b. What type of clothes should the Muslim women not wear in Muslim countries?

Answer The Muslim women should not wear the clothes that don’t cover their whole body in Muslim countries.

c. Is your main meal of the day same as that in Britain?

Answer No. It’s different in Nepal.

d. In which countries do people prefer discussing business during meals?

Answer People from Britain and America prefer discussing business during meals.

e. When is it necessary to print your business card in the local language?

Answer It is necessary to print our business card in the local language when we are going to a country where our language is not widely spoken.

f. Where does physical distance between the speakers play significant role?

Answer Physical distance between the speakers play significant role in South America and Mexico.

Grammar

1. Work in a pair. Have similar types of conversations for the following situations.

a. use protractor/Of course

b. play football/I’m afraid I can’t let you…

c. bring my sister to the party/That’s OK

d. borrow your book/Yes, certainly you can

Answers:

a.      May I use your protector? Yes, Of course.

b.      May I play football? I'm afraid, I can't let you play.

c.       Can I bring my sister to the party? That's Ok

d.      Can I borrow your book? Yes certainly you can.

3. Report the following sentences as in the example below.

Examples:

a.      a. “You can use my pencil.”

I’m allowed to use her pencil.

b.       b. "Don’t let them enter through this gate.”

They are not permitted to enter through this gate.

        c.. “You can take photographs here.”

        I am permitted to take photographs here.

       d.  “Don’t let them leave the school.

        They are allowed to leave the school.

        e.. “Let her sit here.”

        She is allowed to sit here.

        f. . “You can play here.”

        I am allowed to play here.

        g.. “Don’t let them speak English in Nepali class.”

    They are not allowed to speak English in Nepali class. 

Time for speaking

1. Work in a pair. Study the following situations, and play the role of the

people in the conversations below.

Situation one: Two strangers are sitting next to each other on a bus.

Boy: Excuse me, I’m feeling cold. Is it OK if I close the

window?

Girl: Fine with me. I’m cold too.

Boy: Thanks.

Situation two: Kapil has just finished signing a paper. Anupam needs to borrow a pen.

Anupam: Excuse me, could I borrow your pen?

Kapil: Yes, certainly you can.

Situation three: Furba is driving Ajit back to his house. He’s going to stay in his house for a while. Therefore, he wants to park his car.

Furba: Is it all right if I park inside your compound?

Ajit: It’s OK if there is a room.

1. Work in a pair. Have similar types of conversations for the following situations.

a. use protractor/Of course

 Answer  Excuse me, can I take a photograph? Yes, go ahed.

b. play football/I’m afraid I can’t let you…

 Answer Would you mind if I pat your beautiful cat? No I'm afraid not.

c. bring my sister to the party/That’s OK

 Answer Excuse me sir, would you grant me a leave for two days? Yes, you may take.

d. borrow your book/Yes, certainly you can

 Answer Can we go to watch the movie? Yes, certainly we can.

e. open the window: yes

 Answer If you don't mind, please open the window. Yes certainly.

Grammar Time:

Read the direct speech below, and complete the indirect reporting that follows.