Do cultures stand at different distances?

Answer each question with 2–3 sentences.

1. How close do you stand to people you don't know?
2. How do you greet your friends? And your boss?
3. Do you like being touched by people you have just met?
4. Where do you feel uncomfortable in a crowd?
5. Have you ever had an awkward moment in another country?
6. What is rude in your culture, but normal in another?

Read each word and the example. Then say a sentence about customs.

Choose the word that fits.

1. The area around you that you want to keep free from others is your .
2. A movement of the hands or head that has a meaning is called a .
3. Saying hello, with words or a movement, is a .
4. In business, the is a common way to say hello.
5. When you don't know what to do or say, a situation can feel .
6. It is to say please and thank you.
7. Looking directly into someone's eyes is called .
8. Saying that all people from a place are the same is a .

Choose the right answer, then press Check answers.

1. a gesture is a movement of the
   feet onlyshophands or head
2. awkward = uncomfortable and
   very happyvery richnot sure what to do
3. polite = behaving in a
   respectful waysilly wayrude way
4. a stereotype is a
   new discoverytrue factfixed simple idea
5. to bow = to bend the body
   backwardinto waterforward
6. to offend = to make someone feel
   hungrywarmupset

Use these phrases to organise what you say.

• Actually,...Насправді,...Actually, people in my city stand quite close.
• In fact,...Фактично,...In fact, it depends on the person.
• On the other hand,...З іншого боку,...On the other hand, some people prefer more space.
• Generally speaking,...Загалом кажучи,...Generally speaking, people in cities stand closer.
• To be honest,...Чесно кажучи,...To be honest, I don't like crowded lifts.
• By the way,...До речі,...By the way, did you know that people bow in Japan?
• Anyway,...У будь-якому разі,...Anyway, let's go back to the topic.
• As far as I know,...Наскільки я знаю,...As far as I know, this depends on the region.

Read the text. Hover over the dotted words for help.

1. Hall wrote about proxemics in the 1960s.
   TrueFalse
2. Hall said there is one exact number for every culture.
   TrueFalse
3. Individuals are different, even within one culture.
   TrueFalse
4. The text says the situation has no influence.
   TrueFalse
5. The text advises people to be careful with stereotypes.
   TrueFalse

1. Why can personal space cause misunderstandings?
2. How do you know if you have stood too close to someone?
3. Is it fair to say "people from X are always..."?
4. What helps people feel comfortable in a new culture?

Common mistakes: put discourse markers in the right place, and use a comma after them. ✗ Actually but I don't agree → Actually, I don't agree. ✗ In the other hand → On the other hand. ✗ By the way, however → choose one marker for one idea.

1. AlthoughActually
   , people in my city stand quite close.
2. In the other handIn fact
   , it depends on the person.
3. At the other handOn the other hand
   , some people prefer more space.
4. General speakingGenerally speaking
   , people in cities stand closer.
5. To honestTo be honest
   , I don't like crowded lifts.
6. In the wayBy the way
   , did you know people bow in Japan?
7. AnywayAnywhere
   , let's go back to the topic.
8. As far I knowAs far as I know
   , this depends on the region.

Each sentence has one mistake. Type the correct words.

1. In the other hand, some people prefer more space. →
2. General speaking, people stand closer in cities. →
3. Actually but I don't agree. →
4. To the honest, I dislike crowded lifts. →
5. At the way, did you know that people bow? →
6. As far I know, this depends on the region. →

Answer in detail. Use discourse markers: actually, in fact, on the other hand, generally speaking, to be honest, anyway, by the way.

1. Generally speaking, how close do people stand in your country?
2. To be honest, what do you find awkward in other cultures?
3. What custom from your country would surprise a visitor? Actually, is it unusual?
4. On the other hand, what customs do you like in other countries?
5. By the way, what gesture means something different in different countries?
6. As far as you know, how do people in your region greet each other?

Three people talk about personal space. Compare their views. Who is the most careful with generalisations? Who has had an awkward moment? What is normal in your culture?

Your teacher will time you.

1. Plan for one minute, then speak for one or two minutes.
2. Part 1: describe a custom in your country and use two markers (generally speaking, in fact).
3. Part 2: compare it with another culture (on the other hand, however).
4. Part 3: give your opinion, and change the topic with by the way and anyway.

1. How do you greet your friends?
2. What gestures do you use a lot?
3. Do you like to stand close to people?
4. What is polite in your country?
5. What do you find awkward?
6. Have you ever offended someone by mistake?
7. Do you make eye contact when you talk?
8. What would you tell a visitor about your customs?

1. Who in your family likes hugging?
2. Who stands too close to you?
3. Who taught you manners?
4. Who do you greet with a handshake?
5. Who is the most polite person you know?
6. Who has taught you about a different culture?

1. Are cultural differences getting smaller?
2. Is it wrong to talk about "national characters"?
3. Should visitors follow local customs?
4. Is a handshake still necessary?
5. Should schools teach etiquette?