SHORT VIDEO

Watch the video below with your tutor. Click on the link below to get started:

 

Discussion questions

1. When watching American movies, do you see social norms that surprise you?
2. In your culture, is it normal to smile at strangers in the street? What would people think if you did?
3. What countries have social norms that are similar to yours? Which countries do you find the most different?
4. Do you have any foreigners as friends? What do you like about their manners? What do you find surprising?

 

 

Phrases to show respect and politeness when making requests

Read the diagram below out loud with your tutor. Try making a sentence with each phrase below.

 

VOCABULARY

Go over the vocabulary and expressions below with your tutor. Try making sentences with each word.

courteous	📘
offensive	📘
ladylike	📘
gentlemanly	📘
compliment	📘
appropriate	📘
swear	📘
obliged	📘
rude	📘
punctual	📘
slurping	📘

 

 

 

EXERCISE

Use the phrase to make a sentence. Try to use the words in the vocabulary list above and the pictures.

• Could you please…

Could you please stop slurping your soup at the table?

• Would you mind…. _________________________________________________________?
• Would you be so kind as to…. _________________________________________________________?
• Could you possibly…. _________________________________________________________?
• Would you kindly…. _________________________________________________________?

 

Write 1 or 2 sentences based on the situation.

• Compliment a coworker who received a promotion.

Kevin, congratulations on your promotion! I wish you all the best.

• Being courteous to someone. __________________________________________________________.
• Being gentlemanly. __________________________________________________________.
• Use “excuse me” to tell someone to stop being rude. __________________________________________________________.
• Offer assistance to someone. __________________________________________________________.

 

     

 

Speaking Exercise: Here’s a list of rules of etiquette. Which ones apply to your country? Have some rules changed over the last two decades?

• burping at the table

In the USA, it is considered bad manners to burp at the table, although some people might accept the behavior as being ok. Burping in public is another story. It’s considered rude behavior, and I would highly suggest not doing it. In years past, it was less acceptable. Over time, however, I think people have become more tolerant of this behavior, especially the younger generation.

• putting your feet up on a table or chair

__________________________________________________________.

• arriving late to meet friends

__________________________________________________________.

• swearing in public

__________________________________________________________.

• putting your elbows on the table while eating a meal

__________________________________________________________.

 

 

Use the following words in a sentence. Try to use them in relationship to manners and etiquette in your country.

• punctual

Being punctual in the USA is considered good etiquette. However, in other countries, it’s not.

• appropriate ________________________________________________________.
• ladylike ________________________________________________________.
• offensive ________________________________________________________.
• rude_____________________________________________________.

 

 

 

 

(Source: 1. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/256986722461735415/, 2. http://www.michellehenry.fr/mannersmat.jpg, 3. http://www.slideshare.net/JinalShah25/etiquette-55768709)