Now read the text and check your answers.
TEXT 2. MEETING AND GREETING
Work with a partner and discuss these questions.
- Why does the United States call itself «a nation of immigrants»?
- How do Americans greet each other meeting for the first time?
- Are there any prohibitions in the USA connected with smoking and drinking alcohol?
Now read the text and check your answers.
The United States calls itself «a nation of immigrants». Immigrants (from Europe) founded this country and have been coming in large numbers (from all over the world) ever since. Therefore you will find that all ethnicities and nationalities are represented, although not to the same extent in every city. Even though there is so much variety in America, there is still an «American culture» that may be quite different from your own. While much of American culture is exported through television, film, and consumer products, there are some aspects that you do not encounter until you live in the US.
When meeting someone for the first time, it is customary to shake hands, both for men and for women. Hugs are only exchanged between close friends. Kissing is not common, and men never kiss other men. Americans will usually introduce themselves by their first name and last name (such as «Hello, I’m John Smith»), or, if the setting is very casual, by their first name only («Hi, I’m John»). The common response when someone is introduced to you is «Pleased to meet you». Unless someone is introduced to you with their title and last name (such as Mister Smith or Miss Johnson), you should address them by their first name. Americans normally address everyone they meet in a social or business setting by their first name. However, you should always address your college professors by their title and last name (such as Professor Jones), unless they ask you to do otherwise.
Americans normally answer the telephone by simpjy saying «Hello». If you are calling a business, the person answering the phone \Jvill give the name of the business and usually their own name as well. If the person you would like to speak to has answered the phone, you should say hello and state your name. If not, you should ask for that person politely: «May I please speak with Andrew Brown?» The majority of Americans have answering machines in their homes. Also, the majority of businesses have voice mail accounts for their employees. When leaving a message, state your name clearly and leave a telephone number where you can be reached. Telephone messages should be brief and to the point.
All restaurants in America accept cash for payment, and most (even some fast food restaurants) also accept credit cards. A few restaurants also accept ATM cards for payment. You will rarely find a restaurant that accepts checks. It is common to have to wait for a table at a popular restaurant. There are many popular restaurants that do not accept reservations, or will only accept reservations for large parties (for example, six or more people). At these restaurants, the wait can be very long on a weekend night, sometimes up to 1 hour. However, almost all upscale, or more formal, restaurants will accept reservations. Many restaurants in America (except for fast food restaurants) have a license to serve alcohol. Beer and wine are always available, and at some restaurants hard liquor (such as vodka or whisky) is also available. Restaurants that serve hard liquor are said to have «a full bar». The drinking age in America is 21. If you look young, be prepared to show proof of your age when ordering alcohol. There are only a few situations where tipping is expected. The one you will encounter most often is at restaurants. American restaurants do not add a service charge to the bill. Therefore it is expected that the customer will leave a tip for the server.
Common practice is to leave a tip that is equal to 15% of the total bill for acceptable service, and about 20% for superior service. If the service was unusually poor, then you could leave a smaller tip, about 10%. Other professions where tipping is expected include hairdressers, taxi drivers, hotel porters, parking valets, and bartenders. The general rule is to tip approximately 15% of the bill. In situations where there is no bill (as with hotel porters and parking valets), the tip may range from $1 to $5, depending on the type of establishment and on how good the service was.
Smoking is not as common in America as in many other countries. Generally, Americans smoke less than Europeans and much less than Asians. It is a practice that is becoming less and less socially acceptable. Smoking is prohibited in many places. It is not allowed in any public buildings, on any public transportation (including airplane flights within the United States), in shops, movie theaters, schools, and office buildings. The general rule is if you are indoors, then you probably are not allowed to smoke. The exceptions are bars, nightclubs, and some restaurants. If a restaurant does allow smoking, it will only be in an area that is designated for smokers. If you are with someone, even outdoors, it is polite to ask if they mind before you start smoking. The legal smoking age in America is 18. If you are buying cigarettes (or another tobacco product) and you look young, the store clerk is required by law to ask you for proof of legal age. You should be prepared to provide identification.
3. Read the text again and complete the chart below:
| When meeting someone for the first time, it is customary... | to shake hands, both for men andfor women. |
| Hugs...while kissing... | |
| Americans will usually introduce themselves... | |
| You are calling a business, the person answering the phone... | |
| The drinking age in America is ... but if you look young... | |
| Common practice is to leave a tip... but if the service was unusually poor... | |
| Smoking is prohibited in such places as...and the exceptions are... | |
| The legal smoking age in America is ...but if you look young... |
Essential Vocabulary
| meeting ['mi:tirj] | встреча |
| greeting [ gri .tir)] | поклон, приветствие (при встрече); поздравление, пожелание; встреча, приём |
| export [ik'spo:t] | перевозить; переезжать |
| encounter [in' kaonta(r)] | (неожиданно) встретиться, столкнуться (с кем-л.); наталкиваться на (трудности), столкнуться с (трудностями) |
| customary ['kAs.ta.mar.i] | привычный, обычный; основанный на обычае |
| shake hands[feik .hasndz] | обменяться рукопожатием |
| hugs [liAgz] | крепкое объятие |
| introduce [.intra'djuis] | представлять |
| setting [ set. irj] | окружающая обстановка, окружение |
| response [ri'spnns] | ответ, ответное чувство; отклик, реакция |
| politely [рэ1 lait.li] | вежливо, любезно, учтиво |
| brief [bri:f] | короткий, недолгий |
| rarely ['reali] | редко, нечасто |
| accept [ak'sept] | допускать, признавать; принимать, мириться |
| available [a'veibbl] | доступный; имеющийся в распоряжении, наличный |
| ethnic [eGnik] | этническая принадлежность |
| nationality [.naejbn'asla.ti] | национальность; национальная принадлежность |
| common practice ['кшпэп prsektis] | установившаяся практика |
| equal ['i:kwal] | равный, одинаковый; идентичный, равносильный, тождественный |
| represent [.repri'zent] | изображать; представлять |
| superior [su:'pi3ri3(r)] | лучший, более совершенный; превосходящий |
| prohibited [pre'hibitid] | запрещенный, недозволенный, неразрешенный |
| exception [ik'sepjn] | исключение, отклонение от нормы, несоответствие правилам |
| majority [ma^urati] | большинство |
| Identification [aidentifikei.Jbn] | удостоверение личности; отождествление; опознавание, распознавание; идентификация |
4.Use dictionaries to study the meaning of the following vocabulary items:
ethnic, nationality, majority.
1. Write out common collocations with them.
2. Find derivatives formed from ethnic, nation.
5.Match the words with their definitions. There are two extra definitions:
| 1. customary 2. introduce 3. encounter 4. setting 5. equal 6. common practice 7. hugs 8. identification 9. prohibited 10. greeting 11. politely 12. response 13. rarely | a) not often b) happening frequently, or existing in large amounts or numbers c) a country that has its own land and government d) something officially stopped from being done, especially by making it illegal e) usual in a particular society or situation f) something polite or friendly that you say or do when you meet someone g) in a polite way h) a reaction, an answer to a question i) to tell someone another person's name when they meet for the first time j) not too busy to do something k) to put your arms round someone to show your love or friendship l) the place where someone or something is, and all the things, people, or emotions that are part of that place m) the same in value, amount, or size n) when you meet someone or something and it was not planned or expected o) something that proves who you are, especially a document with your name and a photograph |
6. Fill in the blanks with words from the word-box. There is one extra vocabulary item:
| common practice | available | exception |
| upscale | represents | accepted |
1. Sam______her explanation without question.
2. I'm_______next Tuesday if you want to meet then.
3. This______store features a wide variety of large, ornate pieces of furniture
4. The color red commonly_______ danger.
5. Climbers are brave people, and Robert is no_______
7. Supply the necessary derivative/compound related to the italicized word the complete each sentence.
| shake hands | Then followed questionings, renewed_________interchanging of smiles and welcomes. |
| meeting | You'll never guess who 1_______ on the plane. |
| export | We note that our company is able to control the________of materials for making new furniture. |
| superior | You prove vour_____over him in station, or rank, or fortune, and that's the end of it-he knuckles down. |
| brief | He sketched the story_______ , telling the facts just as they had happened. |
| immigrant | Attracted by its safety and comfort, people from all parts ofthe world have_______ into this country in large numbers. |
8. Paraphrase the following sentences using your active vocabulary:
1. High-quality merchandise would decline in sales as consumers shifted to downscale goods.
2. She took his present unwillingly.
3. Collective punishments are forbidden.
4. 1 expected a joke, but Carter's answer was serious.
5. At weddings it is habitually to scramble money after leaving the church.
6. Ipassed him just beyond the gates, and he was deaf to my salute.
7. Laura acquainted her new boyfriend with her parents.
8. Shake off that dream of personality, and you will see that good and evil are identical in the Absolute.
9. Your essays tend to concentrate on one theme to the exclusion of everything else.
10. Why don't you put your arms round her, love her up a bit?