Unit 8 In a New Culture
Vocabulary Task
Answers/Script
A I really like the way it is here, how safe it is. I can’t get over how friendly and helpful people are. I would like to live out my life here.
B I’ve gotten used to it here. I used to try to figure out why they do things a certain way.
C Sometimes foreigners are too inflexible. They shouldn’t try to convert us to their way of doing things. They should just relax and go with the flow. Otherwise, they’re not going to last long.
Listening Task
1) First Activity
Answers
1.like
2.dislike
3.dislike
4.like
2) Second Listening
Answers
1. She feels very safe. She can leave her backpack unattended.
2. People talk about their cars a lot.
3. People compliment him when he speaks the language. People can’t believe that he can use chopsticks.
4. People go out of their way to help you.
Script
1. One of the things I really like about living in Costa Rica is that it’s so safe. I mean, I can go walk around the streets with 50,000 pesetas in my wallet and I don’t even worry about it. In American cities, I used to worry about waling around with 20 dollars in my wallet. And another thing is that sometimes I go into a restaurant and I can leave my backpack sitting at a table and I go up to order and I come back knowing that my backpack is going to be safe and no one’s even touched it .
2. People in the States are so connected to their cars. They are so concerned whether their cars look good, and they talk about their cars a lot. I think that cars isolate people. Public transportation brings people together…and it’s better for the environment. Americans live in their cars. This is one thing about living here that I just can’t get used to.
3. People in Tokyo overreact when I can use chopsticks or speak the language. I’ve been living here for three years—of course I can eat with chopsticks and say some things in their language. They act as if I were some kind of genius who had broken a secret code, or as if I had just done them a really big favor. I don’t congratulate them when they speak English to me. I don't get what the big is.
4. I’ll never get over how helpful people are in Tel Aviv. The other day I was shopping for a certain book, right? The bookstore I usually go to didn’t have it, so the clerk called a couple of his competitors until he found a store to hold a copy for me. After that, he photo-copied a map and highlighted where the store was, and marked the easiest route for me to get there. They would never do that in the U.S.
Real World Listening
1.Predict
Answers
Store clerks, social rules
2. Get the main idea
Answers
S – I don’t like all of the packaging.
T – That’s the way it is here.
X – They are too flexible here.
T – You have to just relax and go with the flow.
T – You’re not going to last long.
S – The whole system is a waste of my time.
X – The clerks are really rude here.
T – I like the traditions.
Script
Steve: I can’t believe these people. I can’t believe what they do.
Trish: Calm down, Steve. What are you talking about?
Steve: Look at this. I just bought a donut. I’m so sick of the clerk wrapping each pastry individually, then taping the bags shut, then putting those bags in another bag, folding it down, and then taping that bag shut. I can’t take it anymore. It’s crazy and it’s bad for the environment.
Trish: How long have you been living here? Don’t you know that’s the way it is?
Steve: I just want them to stick ‘em in a napkin for me , so I can eat while I’m walking to class.
Trish: There you go again. Don’t you know it’s rude to eat while you walk?
Steve: I’m so tired of this place. I don’t have time to sit down and eat. People here are too inflexible, and they have too many rules.
Trish: Yeah, right, Steve, so you’re gonna convert everybody here to your way of doing things?
Steve: Yeah, there has to be more individual freedom to do whatever you want.
Trish: Why don't you just relax and go with the flow?
Steve: Go with the flow? The whole system is a waste of my time. The clerks here should learn how to be more efficient, like in the U.S.
Trish: What are you talking about? When I was in the U.S., the clerks were really rude. They just ignore you, and seem offended if you want anything. Don't you think it’s better this way?
Steve: Are you kidding?
Trish: Well, I kind of like it. It’s nice to relax and enjoy the moment while your packages are being wrapped. I like all of the traditions, and the care and attention that people give you, and the manners. To me, it’s a wonderful place to live.
Steve: I think you’re nuts.
Trish: You’re not gonna last long, mate |