Home Random Page


CATEGORIES:

BiologyChemistryConstructionCultureEcologyEconomyElectronicsFinanceGeographyHistoryInformaticsLawMathematicsMechanicsMedicineOtherPedagogyPhilosophyPhysicsPolicyPsychologySociologySportTourism






Task I. Read the text and say how people form an impression of each other.

Dealing with people

Remember that people form an impression of you from the way you speak and behave - not just from the way you do your work. People in different countries have different ideas of what sounds friendly, polite or sincere - and of what sounds rude or unfriendly! Good manners in your culture may be considered bad manners in another.

Germans and Japanese will rarely use first names outside circles of family and close friends; North Americans, Swedes and the Spanish will generally move to the first names at an early stage in a business relationship. If you think using first names will be acceptable, suggest this: By the way, please call me Michael.

First names are not generally used in the UK when people meet for the first time or if you are talking to a person who is much older, or has a very senior position, then Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms and the surname is more appropriate. It is more common to use first names in the USA.

In most countries people offer refreshment, e.g. coffee when a visitor arrives. In the UK or USA it is not rude to refuse refreshment, but in some other countries it is. If you are in the restaurant with the visitor from abroad, notice that it is useful to describe what dishes on the menu are made with. This helps the visitor to avoid any foods, which he/she doesn't like, or must not eat because of religious or health reasons.

When you meet somebody for the first time, it is common to talk about general topics before you begin discussing business:

> the weather

> local politics

> sport

> the flight

> the town you are in now


> your/the visitor's family

> towns and cities you and your the other person know.

It is unusual to have periods of silence in a conversation with English speaking people. If you are silent because you are thinking about what they are saying, or what you should say, people may think you are not interested. It helps to use phrases like I see or Oh, really? even when the other person is talking to show him/her that you are listening.

How people react, depends on their cultural perspective. The American participants in the discussion feel that the Japanese are far too silent, that they do not want to be co-operative. At the same time the Japanese may feel that the Americans are talking too much, and asking unnecessary questions.

Remember also that your body language, gestures and expression may tell people more about you then the words you use.


Date: 2016-01-14; view: 901


<== previous page | next page ==>
Task 4. Make the conversation flow. Use the phrases given below. | Task II. Answer the following questions.
doclecture.net - lectures - 2014-2024 year. Copyright infringement or personal data (0.006 sec.)