Vocabulary

1. to keep one's eyes open - внимательно смотреть

2. pond – пруд

3. three-fourths - три четверти

4. glaciers - ледники

5. to float - перемещаться

6. a meadow - луг

7. to be just the right distance - находиться на нужном расстояния

8. to predict - предсказывать

9. alarming - тревожный

10. run out - исчерпывать

11. forever - вечно

12. confidence - уверенность

13. deceive - обманывать

14. use up - исчерпывать, истратить

15. poison - вредные вещества

16. sewage systems - канализационные системы

17. weed - сорная трава

17. ETIQUETTE

We live in the society and have to deal with other people all the time. That is why it is necessary to remember about it every day. Not every person is easy to get along¹ because each of us has his own interests and manners. To make everybody comfortable there exist special rules of behaviour² for every person. These rules are called etiquette.

The idea of such rules goes back to the times when people began to live in groups and understood that it was better to get along with one another than to quarrel or fight³. The first rules for proper social behaviour were developed in an­cient Greece and Rome. Much of today's formal etiquette is originated⁴ in the French royal courts in the late seventeenth century. For example shaking hands⁵ is one of the earliest forms of etiquette. Giving somebody his hand a warrior⁶ wanted to show that he didn't have any weapons and came in peace⁷.

Today many of us worry about etiquette: we need to know what to say and how to behave in a particular situation. Our language and our manners must be appropriate to the situation⁸.

Each culture has its own system of etiquette and they are sometimes very different. Behaviour that is proper in one culture may be improper in another one.

The basic rules of introducing people in English-speaking countries are:

- a man is introduced to a woman;

- a young person is introduced to an older person;

- a less important person is introduced to amore important person.

The purpose of greeting in all languages is the same: to establish a contact with another person and show friendliness. It is very important to use the correct form of greeting. «Hello» is the universal form and is acceptable⁹ in any situation except a very formal introduction.

When British people talk to each other for the first time it is usually considered impolite to ask personal questions such as «How old are you?» or «Are you married?». It is not polite to ask people how much they earn or how much their flat, house or clothes cost. It is better to wait for the person to tell you about it.

Very often it is difficult to stop a conversation and leave a party. Usually people do not stop talking to say «good-bye» and leave unexpectedly. It is quite normal to say some time before you leave that you are going to do so. If you want to leave a large party early, you should find your host and say «good-bye» without attracting more attention to your going away.

Speaking about table manners¹⁰ we must say that they are not very strict¹¹ in Britain, but it is considered rude to eat or to drink noisily. At formal meals the cutlery is placed in the order in which it will be used. After each course the knife and the fork should be laid side by side¹² in the middle of the plate. This shows that you have finished and the plate can be removed.

If you want to behave mannerly at table you should follow some simple rules. Here they are:

• Keep your mouth closed when you eat.

• Use a knife and a fork. Hold them correctly.

• Don't take bread with a fork.

• Don't read at the table when you eat.

• Keep your elbows off the table¹³.

• Don't say you don^’t like food.

It is considered impolite to smoke between courses unless¹⁴ your host says otherwise¹⁵. It is polite to ask for the permission before you smoke in other people's homes. Today in Britain smoking is forbidden¹⁶ in many public places: on the underground; on stations, in shops and in cinemas.

Rules of communication. It is important and necessary to learn to be a good speaker and an attentive listener because if a person speaks well and listens well, he can explain the facts in a simple way¹⁷. A good listener understands the people better, makes friends and mixes with the surrounding people¹⁸ easily. People understand a good speaker better and more willingly become friendly. So the majority of people want to learn to be a good speaker and an attentive listener. There are some rules for them to follow and we must always keep them when we talk or listen:

1. Look at the people whom you are talking to.

2. Don't play with the pencils, erasers or other things when you speak. Keep your hands down. Stand naturally and still.

3. Speak correctly, clearly, distinctly and loud enough. Don't talk too loud.

4. Speak in a pleasant, calm, quiet, polite voice; make your voice friendly and cheerful.

5. Talk about the things that will interest everyone.

6. Don't speak too long or too much, or all the time. Take turns¹⁹.

7. Don't interrupt the people when they are talking. Say «Excuse me», «Pardon me», «I’m sorry».

8. Be polite. Don't say anything that can hurt the feelings²⁰ of someone present.

9. Keep to the topic²¹. Tell the things in the right order.

10. Speak about the things that happened first, then about the things that happened next.

11. Be attentive when you listen to a speaker and follow his or her story.

12. Show your interest in what other people say.

13. Remember that you listen not only with your ears but with your mind.