UNIT 6 LESSON 4

 IMPERSONAL PRONOUNS

 

You can use the pronouns you and they to refer to people in general.

A: I'm going to Nigeria. I wonder if they bow when they greet each other there.   

B: It says here that you should bow to elderly people.   

One is a very formal pronoun that refers to people in general.

 

- One should put one's hands together and bow.

- What does one do when given a gift?  

You can also simply use people.

    

- People are very friendly there.

In Germany, people never give knives as gifts.

TALKING ABOUT CULTURAL EXPECTATIONS

 

Use expressions like these to ask about cultural expectations:

 

-I'm traveling to Spain. Can you give me some pointers about the culture?   

-Are women expected to cover their heads?   

-I'm wondering how people behave at the dinner table.   

Use expressions like these to explain cultural expectations:

 

-If you're a traveler, you're expected to tip your server.   

-You're supposed to eat with your fingers, not a fork.   

-Make sure you send a thank-you note.

Imperatives and when clauses are helpful for lending context to cultural expectations.

 

-In Korea, bring a small gift like dishwashing soap when you're invited for dinner. 

-When you begin a business meeting, don't use your host's first name. 

SUMMARIZING THE MAIN IDEAS

After you read a text, try to quickly summarize it. An oral summary can help you understand the main ideas. Your summary should be much shorter than the original text and should include who, what, when, where, why and how.

 

Read the text, and think about how you might summarize it.

 

"We English are famous for our politeness and good etiquette. You're expected to say 'please' and 'thank you.' You're supposed to smile when you see people, and say 'sorry' if you accidentally bump into someone. You're not supposed to stare at people and definitely do not pick your nose, spit or burp in public."

 Make sure you send a thank-you note.

In Germany, people never give knives as gifts.