Page 7 - İngilizce 11 | 10. Ünite

Culture Corner

A. Read the following statements and write true (T) or false (F).
1. In the USA, you shouldn’t give a tip to the waiter who serves you.
2. In Japan, you should always laugh with your mouth open and show your teeth.
3. In Haiti, you shouldn’t whistle in public.
4. In Argentina, if you go to a feast on time, you make your host quite happy.
5. In China, you shouldn’t open a gift in front of the person who gives it to you.

B. Read the text and check your answers.

Socıal etıquette

Each culture has different traditions, so they
have improved different norms. When we travel
around the world, we realise and experience
this better. As it is said “one man’s meat is
the other’s poison”; one culture’s offensive
etiquette can be quite acceptable in another
culture. Here are some examples:

• In the USA, not giving a tip to the person
who serves you is considered rude. In Japan
it is vice versa. If you give a tip to the
server, it means an insult to that person
because it is his duty to do his best.
• Laughing open mouth is generally thought to
be a way of showing happiness. However, in
Japan, it is considered impolite.
• Whistling is a way of making music but it is
quite rude in Haiti. Making direct eye contact
is also a bad behaviour there.
• Being punctual is a sign of a good personality.
However, coming on time is not a proper
etiquette in Argentina. Because you are
probably expected an hour later as your host
may be busy with the preparations.
• Opening a gift in front of the person who
has given it to you is a good way to show your
happiness about it. Whereas, in China and
India it isn’t a good idea to open the gift as
soon as you receive it because they may think
you’re quite a greedy person.

127