Unit 12: Culture Shock

Quick Check

A. Vocabulary. Write down four sentences in the article that use expressions of advice and recommendation.

In England, it's customary to say...

And remember to stand in line...

It's a good idea to talk about...

In the United States, remember to make sure

Don't forget to call a university graduate...

In japan, be prepared to exchange...

It is impolite not to do so.

Try not to spread dust...

It's not polite to play with...

It's rude to leave them...

It's advisable to ask for...

B. Comprehension. Answer true or false.

1. false It’s not a good idea to discuss the weather in England.
2. true You are expected to take off your shoes in an Indian home.
3. false Make sure you call everyone in Mexico Licenciado.
4. true Be sure to carry business cards with you in Japan.
5. true Remember not to be late for an appointment in Germany.
6. false You should always remember to tip in China.

3 Grammar

A. Make sentences. Use infinitives. Add it’s where necessary.

1. good idea / follow / local customs

It's a good idea to follow local customs.

2. we / managed / get seats / on the crowded bus

We managed to get seats on the crowded bus.

3. not advisable / carry / a lot of money

It's not advisable to carry a lot of money.

4. make sure / tip / taxi drivers

Wake sure to tip taxi drivers.

5. try / stay / in places that are safe

Try to stay in places that are safe.

6. polite / stand in line / for a bus

It's polite to stand in line for a bus.

B. Complete the following sentences with infinitives. Use the information in the article on pages 58 to 59.

1. It’s advisable to read a person's business card and comment on it in Japan.
2. It’s not a good idea to be late for an appointment in Germany.
3. It’s polite to say ''sorry'' if you accidentally bump into someone in England.
4. It’s not common to wear shoes in the house in India.
5. It’s important to use university graduates '' titles in Mexico.
6. It’s common to eat dinner late in Mediterranean countries.

C. Look at the photos. What do you think is the polite/not polite thing or the right/wrong thing to do in your country?

It's polite to remove your shoes at a mosque.

Removing your shoes at a mosque is the polite thing to do.

It's impolite to shout at the waiter.

Raising your hand is the right thing to do.

It's rude to point at people.

Pointing at a person is not accepted.

It's not polite to put your feet on the seat.

Putting your feet on the seat is wrong.

4 Language in Context

Discuss with a partner how people handle the following situations in your country.

It isn't common for people to stand in line to catch a bus.

It isn't common for people to eat late at night.

It is common for people to give tipping for waiters.

It is common for people to take a rest in the afternoon.

It is common for people to shake hands.

It is common for people to take their shoes off in the house.

It isn't common for people to arrive late.

5 Listening

Listen to the advice about traveling to the United States. Then answer true or false.

1. false Gestures are very similar all over the world.
2. false Americans usually introduce themselves with their last names.
3. false Americans like to stand really close when they are talking to others.
4. true People are expected to arrive on time at all events in the United States.
5. true It’s polite for house guests to give a small gift in the United States.

8 Conversation

About the Conversation

1. What things does Edgar say are the same in Shanghai?

There's a lot of traffic, crowded buses, tall buildings, and modern shopping malls.

2. What’s his conversational Chinese like?

He's still learning Chinese for everyday situations.

3. What did Edgar find difficult at first?

Eating with chopsticks was difficult for him at first.

4. What is unusual about Chinese surnames?

The surnames come before the first names, and millions of people have the same surname.

9 Reading

After Reading

A. Match the words with the definitions.

1. b flexible.
2. e frustrating.
3. a homesick.
4. f stage.
5. d newcomer.
6. h novelty.
7. c values.
8. g to cherish.

B. Answer about the reading.

1. What do you think “fish out of water” means?

being in a new place and not being comfortable.

2. What do you understand by the term “culture shock”?

the period of adjustment when someone moves to a new country.

3. When did the expression first appear?

It was used by the writer Kalervo Oberg in 1954.

4. In your own words, classify the five different stages of culture shock.

a. Adjustment Phase: The newcomer is excited and happy to be in a new place.

b. Emptiness or Rejection Phase: The newcomer has to deal with problems and may not be able to communicate his needs effectively.

c. Conformist Phase: The newcomer learns to understand and accept differences.

d. Assimilation Phase or Complete Adjustment: The newcomer is adjusted to the new culture and feels comfortable.

e. Reverse Culture Shock: When the person returns home, he will have to re-adjust to life in his original home.

11 Writing

B. Complete the sentences with the gerund or infinitive of the word in parentheses.

1. The people here are used to standing (stand) in line at the bus stop.
2. It isn’t easy to get used to living (live) in a new cultural environment.
3. We are not used to the weather being (be) so cold and rainy.
4. She used to drink (drink) coffee in the morning, but now she drinks tea.
5. He has gotten used to driving (drive) on the left side of the road.
6. You may find it strange at first, but you’ll get used to eating (eat) the food.
7. I had difficulty with the language at first, but I’m used to speaking (speak) it now.
8. I didn’t use to take (take) a nap, but now I rest for an hour every afternoon.

C. Imagine that you are staying in a foreign country. Write an email to a friend about the cultural differences you have experienced. Before you write, you may want to research the local habits, customs, gestures, cuisine, weather, etc.

I travelled to Japan and notice something about their eating style. During a visit to Japanese home, I was served noodles. After several frustrating minutes of trying to eat with chopsticks, I noticed a slurping sound. After looking around, I saw that the entire Japanese family is slurping their noodles. It is their way of eating noodles!

I didn't know slurping was polite to Japanese people. They don't consider slurping rude. Why not just join the family and slurp yourself?

12 Form, Meaning and Function

A. Complete the sentences with the verbs in parentheses. Use the simple past and the past perfect.

1. They had already started (already start) boarding the plane when I arrived (arrive) at the gate.
2. Sabah didn't know (not know) how to use the chopsticks because she had never eaten (never eat) in a Chinese restaurant before.
3. We didn't manage (not manage) get a hotel room because we hadn't made (not make) a reservation in advance.
4. I had never been (never be) abroad until I travelled (travel) to Paris last summer.
5. Had you learnt (you / learn) to speak French before you went (go) to Paris?
6. The waiter was (be) upset because his customers hadn't left (not leave) him a tip.
7. By the time Faris finished (finish) his studies, he had lived (live) in London for five years.
8. After he had adjusted (adjust) to British culture, Faris felt (feel) quite comfortable living in London.
9. He became (become) so familiar with the British customs that he had experienced (experience) reverse culture shock when he returned home.
10. Everyone had taken (take off) their shoes before they entered (enter) the mosque.

B. Complete the text with the correct past tense of the verbs in parentheses.

I had always wanted (1. always want) to visit China, and last year my dream came (2. come) true.
Before I left (3. leave) home, I had planned (4. plan) my trip carefully.
I had got (5. got) maps and lots of expert advice from my travel agent.
I had studied (6. study) the Chinese customs, and I had even taken (7. even take) a course to learn some basic Chinese.
I spent (8. spend) one month in China traveling to different regions of the country.
I saw (9. see) amazing sights like the Great Wall, which was (10. be) more spectacular than I had ever imagined (11. ever imagine).
The scenery was so incredible that I had taken (12. take) over 300 pictures in one day!