Английский язык методические указания по самостоятельному чтению для студентов I курса всех факультетов заочной формы обучения

From Financial Times

Fanny things about jokes: the uses and dangers of humour

Different cultures have different beliefs about when humour is appropriate, what can be joked about, and even who can be joked with. Attitudes to uncertainty, status and the importance of business influence how much humour can be used.

For example, in cultures where the desire to avoid uncertainty is high, as in Germany, humour will be welcomed when it contributes to the working environment and supports the highly task-oriented German company. But German managers are less likely to use humour tactically, as a means of dealing with criticism, challenging authority or reducing tension between people. International managers communicating in Germany should be direct.

Status is another important consideration. In some countries people may loosen up* as they get promoted. But in more hierarchical cultures, such as France, the opposite is likely to be a case. Seniority* is largely determined by intellectual achievement and academic qualifications. Consequently, French executives are keen to avoid being seen as lightweight. So, while clever and sophisticated humour is acceptable, the risk of appearing foolish, with the accompanying loss of credibility and intellectual status, tend to limit other forms of humour. Self-mocking humour may be completely misunderstood.

In many western business cultures, teasing is routinely used as a means of social control. Typically, it serves to criticize a late-comer to a meeting or to show mild displeasure, while avoiding confrontation. But in certain Asian cultures, making fun of someone may leave managers feeling uncomfortably. In Japan, managers use after-hours drinking as a functional equivalent to criticizing with humour.

American managers often use jokes to warm up speeches and presentations, but once the real business starts, attempt at humour may be met with silence. Americans have invested heavily in a set of political and economic values based on individual liberty and economic opportunity. It follows that business is taken more seriously than in other Anglo-Saxon cultures, such as Britain.

International managers have to proceed carefully, but humour remains a vital means of bridging cultural differences. Shared laughter is particularly important within cross-cultural teams, where it helps to bring differences to the surface and bring the team together. As the international comic Victor Borge once put in, humour remains “the shortest distance between two people”.

To loosen up расслабиться, становиться более разговорчивым

Seniority более высокое служебное положение

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Science Daily, July 26, 2010

The Healing Effects of Forests

Many people feel relaxed and good when they are out in nature. But not many of us know that there is also scientific evidence about the healing effects of nature.

Forests – and other natural, green settings – can reduce stress, improve moods, reduce anger and aggressiveness and increase overall happiness. Forest visits may also strengthen our immune system by increasing the activity and number of natural killer cells that destroy cancer cells.

Many studies show that after stressful or concentration-demanding situations, people recover faster and better in natural environments than in urban settings. Blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension and the level of "stress hormones" all decrease faster in natural settings. Depression, anger and aggressiveness are reduced in green environments and ADHD symptoms* in children reduce when they play in green settings.

In addition to mental and emotional well-being, more than half of the most commonly prescribed drugs include compounds derived from nature – for example Taxol, used against ovarian and breast cancer, is derived from yew* trees, while Xylitol, which can inhibit caries*, is produced from hardwood bark.

Preserving green areas and trees in cities is very important to help people recover from stress, maintain health and cure diseases. There is also monetary value in improving people's working ability and reducing health care costs.

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St. Petersburg Times, 2008

SPIBA (St. Petersburg International Business Association):

Link between high schools and business

Lack of professionals in almost all spheres is an issue for both large and small companies operating in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad oblast. The problem is especially acute when it comes to hiring university students and graduates. These candidates often lack practical skills and a proper understanding of the job requirements, have unrealistic salary expectations and tend to overestimate* their professional value.

SPIBA’s HR* Committee indicated the root of the problem as coming from high schools.

The Russian educational system, well known for providing a deep fundamental knowledge of various sciences, is rather helpless and indifferent when it comes to professional orientation. Being heavily dependant on governmental policies and regulations, high school education in many senses failed to respond quickly to the transition from Communism to a market economy and the ensuing drastic changes in the labor market. The current educational system does not assist students in applying their talents and personal abilities to contemporary market needs.

Instead, career choice is heavily influenced by the mass media, which promotes fashionable careers (such as law) and by peers, who propagate rumors and their own ideas. Frequently students delegate the power of decision to their parents, who are also in many cases not aware of contemporary professions and market demands.

This all leads to people finding themselves in the “wrong” place and results in low motivation and decreasing performance, as well as in a fierce battle for candidates among companies.

Since it is concerned by this situation and willing to make a positive change, SPIBA’s HR Committee encourages its members, as well as the whole business community, to contribute to the project of providing orientation classes in high schools.

To overestimate – переоценивать

Peer – ровесник

HR (human resources) – трудовые ресурсы

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