Unit 28: It's important to...
– Describing cultural differences
– Explaining why something is a problem
Part 1
Vocabulary
Write answers to the questions below on a separate piece of paper.
Is it acceptable to arrive late to a meeting in your culture?
What is an inappropriate thing to do at a meeting?
What is one insensitive thing that you shouldn’t talk about with people you’ve just met?
Is it inconsiderate to arrive at a dinner party ten minutes late?
Is it customary to give gifts at a business meeting?
What is the worst cultural faux pas you’ve ever made?
What is the most important thing a visitor should be aware of when visiting your home country?
Answer
Answers will vary. Sample answer.
- No, it isn’t.
- It is inappropriate to answer a phone call during a meeting.
- When you are talking with people you’ve just met, you shouldn’t talk about the cost of things.
- Well, it’s a little inconsiderate to arrive ten minutes late to a dinner party.
- Yes, it’s customary to give gifts at a business meeting.
- The worst cultural faux pas I’ve ever made was showing up to someone’s house after they invited me. I didn’t understand the invitation was a form of greetings.
- When a visitor is visiting my home country, the most important thing a visitor should be aware of is the system of tipping.
Discuss your answers to the questions above with your teacher. Give reasons for your answers.
Sample answer
A: What is an inappropriate thing to do at a meeting?
B: It's inappropriate to answer a phone call during a meeting. Is that appropriate in your country?
Part 2
Conversation
Listen and answer 2 questions.
1. Where is Patrick going to go?
2. What cultural advice does Sophie give Patrick?
Sophie & Patrick
Transcript
Sophie: Are you excited about your trip to New York?
Patrick: Yeah, I really am, but I’m a little nervous, too. It’s my first time in the United States, and I want to make sure I don’t make any faux pas.
Sophie: Oh, I see. What are you not sure about?
Patrick: Well, I have an early morning business meeting the day after I arrive. Is it acceptable to arrive a little late?
Sophie: Not really. In the U.S., it’s important to be on time.
Patrick: OK, that’s good to know. What should I do when I first meet people? Should I shake hands? Kiss them?
Sophie: Well, in the U.S., it’s inappropriate to kiss people when you first meet them. It’s customary to shake hands when you meet people.
Patrick: I’m glad I asked.
Example answer
- Patrick is going to go to New York.
- Sophie suggests Patrick not arrive late to his meeting.
- She also tells him it’s inappropriate to kiss people when you first meet. She suggests he shake hands instead.
Practice the conversation with teacher
Listen. Then find the best places to add the sentences
below to the conversation and practice it again.
You usually also do that at the end of a meeting.
Maybe I can help.
I’m going to be really tired after my long flight.
Being late is seen as inconsiderate.
Answer
Sophie: Are you excited about your trip to New York? (2) Maybe I can help.
Patrick: Yeah, I really am, but I’m a little nervous, too. It’s my first time in the United States, and I want to make sure I don’t make any faux pas.
Sophie: Oh, I see. What are you not sure about?
Patrick: Well, I have an early morning business meeting the day after I arrive. Is it acceptable to arrive a little late? (3) I'm going to be really tired after my long flight.
Sophie: Not really. In the U.S., it’s important to be on time. (4) Being late is seen as inconsiderate.
Patrick: OK, that’s good to know. What should I do when I first meet people? Should I shake hands? Kiss them?
Sophie: Well, in the U.S., it’s inappropriate to kiss people when you first meet them. It’s customary to shake hands when you meet people. (1) You usually also do that at the end of a meeting.
Patrick: I’m glad I asked.
Part 3
Language Booster
Notice the ways we describe cultural differences and explain why something is a problem.
Describing cultural differences
- In the U.S, it’s important to be on time.
- It’s inappropriate to kiss people when you first meet them.
- It’s insensitive to ask someone how much money they make.
Explaining why something is a problem
- Being late is seen as inconsiderate.
- It’s customary to shake hands.
- That’s considered to be personal information.
Think of a culture you know about. Describe something that people shouldn’t do when visiting that culture and explain why it is a problem.
Example
A: In Japan, you shouldn’t wear shoes into someone’s house. People in Japan usually take their shoes off at the door.
B: In South Korea, it’s also customary to take off your shoes at the door.
Part 4
Listening
Listen to people talk about cultural faux pas. Then number the pictures in the order that you hear the situations.
____________
____________
____________
Answer
1. Picture 2
A: I’m so embarrassed.
B: Why? What happened?
A: I did something really inappropriate during my business meeting this afternoon?
B: What did you do?
A: Well, in my culture, it’s customary to bring gifts to a business meeting, so I brought gifts to my meeting today.
B: Well, that’s nice.
A: No, it was so uncomfortable. No one else brought gifts, and they all seemed to think it was strange that I did. It was a really awkward situation.
B: Don’t worry. I’m sure everyone enjoyed their gifts.
2. Picture 1
A: How was your trip?
B: It was really fun, but I don’t think the family that I visited will invite me back?
A: Why not?
B: Well, I guess I asked some insensitive questions while I was visiting.
A: What do you mean? What did you ask?
B: I asked the father how much his car cost. And I asked the mother how much money she makes at her job.
A: Oh, yeah. That’s considered to be personal information.
B: I know. I’m not sure why I asked those questions. I guess I was just nervous.
A: Why don’t you write them an email and explain that you didn’t mean to ask inappropriate questions, but that you were nervous. And thank them for letting you stay with them.
B: That’s a good idea. At least it will make me feel better.
3. Picture 3
A: Did you enjoy your trip?
B: Yeah, I did. But I made a huge faux pas the day that I arrived.
A: Oh, no! What did you do?
B: Well, I was invited to come to a dinner at a colleague’s house that evening. The email said that the dinner started at 7:00, so I arrived right at 7:00.
A: Oops. I think that it’s inappropriate to arrive exactly on time in that culture.
B: I know that now, but I wasn’t aware of it at the time.
A: So what happened?
B: Well, the host was still getting ready, and I was the only person there. I sat alone in the living room for an hour before anyone else showed up!
Listen again.
Write down on a piece of paper what you think each person should have done.
Answer
Answers will vary. Sample answer.
I think he should have explained the custom of gift giving in his culture and apologized for not realizing this was not universal.
I think he should have apologized as soon as he realized his mistake, but since he hasn’t, I agree with the advice for him to write an email to apologize.
I think he should have asked what time people usually arrive, and then he should have offered to leave and return an hour later.
Part 5
Speak with confidence
Think of your culture. Write three things that you should not do in your culture.
1: ____________________________________________________________________.
2: ____________________________________________________________________.
3: ____________________________________________________________________.
Sample answer
Three Things You Should Not Do in My Culture
Do Not Arrive Late to Social Events – Punctuality is highly valued, and being late to a meeting or gathering is considered disrespectful. It’s important to arrive on time or inform the host if you’re running late.
Do Not Refuse Food Offered by a Host – In my culture, refusing food when visiting someone’s home can be seen as impolite. Even if you’re not hungry, it’s customary to accept a small portion as a sign of respect and gratitude.
Do Not Speak Loudly in Public – Being too loud in public places, such as restaurants or public transport, is considered rude. People are expected to speak in a moderate tone to avoid disturbing others.
Questions & Answers
Teacher: "What is something you should not do in your culture?"
Student: "In my culture, you should not arrive late to social events. Punctuality is very important, and being late is considered disrespectful."
Teacher: "Why is it important to be on time?"
Student: "It shows that you respect other people’s time. If you’re late, it might inconvenience others and give a bad impression."
Teacher: "What else is considered impolite in your culture?"
Student: "It’s impolite to refuse food when visiting someone’s home. Even if you're not hungry, it's respectful to accept a small portion."
Teacher: "That’s interesting! How do people show respect when eating at someone’s home?"
Student: "People usually thank the host and compliment the food. It’s also good manners to wait until everyone is served before eating."
Teacher: "Can you share one more thing that people should avoid doing?"
Student: "Yes! In my culture, speaking loudly in public is considered rude. People expect you to talk quietly in places like restaurants and public transport."
Teacher: "That makes sense! So, being considerate of others is very important in your culture?"
Student: "Yes, exactly! Respect and good manners are highly valued."