I. Read the text once again and find in the text the English equivalents of the following Russian words. Make up your own sentences with these words.

этикет, умение вести себя за столом, разделить трапезу, незначительная ошибка, столовые приборы, положить руки на колени, запрет, участник (конференции, семинара), встреча/прием, местная кухня, праздничная атмосфера, притворяться/подражать, креветки, морепродукты, приключение/риск, деликатес, укреплять взаимоотношения.

II. Which of the following topics does the text discuss?

a) culture and cuisine

b) dining etiquette

c) appropriate behavior

d) food taboos

e) international relationships

f) table manners

III. What are your personal reactions to the text?

I totally agree that………………………………….

I think the point about……………..is probably true.

I don’t agree with the point about……………..at all.

I already knew………., but I didn’t realize…………

I’m not sure I can believe…………………………..

What shocks me most is……………………………

IV. Find the words and expressions in the article which mean:

1) a style of cooking; food cooked in a certain style

2) the flat area between the stomach and knees of a person when he is sitting

3) a small american animal similar to a squirrel but with black and white makings along its back.

4) type of a small deer

5) the character and atmosphere of a peace

6) to establish smth.firmly; to join things together

Lexical exercises

Active vocabulary

I. Look at the picture and tell the class how one should lay the table for two. Say where one puts:

a soup plate, a dinner plate, a bread plate, a knife, a fork, a table spoon, a napkin, salt, pepper, mustard, a wine glass.

II. Read the list of Table Don'ts.

1. Elbows are never put on the table while one is eating.

2. Don’t lift your plate up to your mouth.

3. Don’t lean back and announce, “I'm through”. The fact that you have put your fork and knife together on the plate shows that you have finished.

4. Don’t wait until all plates are served; after a few guests have been served, it is perfectly all right to start eating.

5. Don’t let others see what you have in your mouth.

6. Don’t make a noise when eating.

7. Put the food in your mouth with your fork, never with your knife.

III. Look at the pictures and say which Table Don'ts are not observed.

IV. Read the list of Table Dos.

1. Put your napkin on your lap. Do not wear it around your neck.

2. Gravy should be put on the meat, and the condiment, pickles and jelly at the side of whatever they accompany.

3. All juicy or soft fruit or cake is best eaten with a fork and when necessary a spoon or a knife also.

4. When passing your plate for a second helping always leave a knife and a fork on the plate and be sure the handles are far enough on not to topple off.

5. Fish bones are taken between finger and thumb and re­moved between compressed lips.

6. Bread should always be broken into moderate-sized pieces with the fingers before being eaten.

V. Complete the list of Table Dos and Don’ts and say how one should eat:

	Dos	Don’ts
soup
meat
bananas
oranges
apples
melons
wedding cake

Speaking

You are in a foreign restaurant with a local supplier. As you don’t speak their language very well, you are both speaking English.

1. Answer your host’s questions and talk about your impressions of their town so far. Ask them what there is to see and do in the city and remember to respond enthusiastically to some of their suggestions, be diplomatic! Keep the conversation going by talking a little about current affairs, sport, the weather, holidays, your family.

2. Decide what you would like to eat and to drink. If there are things on the menu you don’t understand you could ask your host to explain them to you. If you are not sure what to choose, perhaps your host can recommend something. Remember to sound interested in the food.

3. Your host’s company is one of three which supply yours with electrical components and you are quite happy with this arrangement. You really don’t want to re-negotiate your contract with them and, anyway, you don’t believe in mixing business and pleasure. Without being rude, avoid getting into any discussions about business. If business does come up, try to change the subject.

Writing

Choose any nationality and describe the rules of dining etiquette in this country.