2 Law in different countries

Exercise 1 In pairs, read about some strange laws and customs. Four of these are false. Discuss with your partner which ones you think they are.

1. In China, when you use chopsticks you shouldn’t leave them upright in the bowl. It brings bad luck.

2. In Sweden, if you drink and drive, you have to go to prison for six months.

3. In Argentina, when you get on a train you should shake hands with all the other people in the carriage.

4. In France, you are not allowed to call a pig “Napoleon”.

5. In Scotland, boys have to wear a kilt to school.

6. In Brazil, you should never make the “OK” sign with your thumb. It is very rude.

7. In Germany, every office must have a view of the sky.

8. In the Middle East, you shouldn’t admire anything in your hosts’ home. They will feel that they have to give it to you.

9. In Singapore, you mustn’t eat chewing-gum. It’s against the law.

10. In India, you shouldn’t thank your hosts at the end of a meal. It is an insult.

11. In Japan, women mustn’t wear trousers to work.

12. In the UK, parents don’t have to send their children to school. They can teach them at home if they prefer.

13. In Russia, men should take off their gloves to shake somebody’s hand.

14. In Iceland, you mustn’t take dogs into the city centre.

15. In Thailand, you shouldn’t touch a person’s head (even of a child). The head is sacred.

16. In Australia, women mustn’t sit on the top floor of a bus, only downstairs.

17. In Samoa, it is against the law for a man to forget his wife’s birthday.

18. In Switzerland, you aren’t allowed to clean your car or cut the grass on a Sunday.

19. In the USA, you shouldn’t tip taxi drivers. It is considered an insult.

20. In Italy, if you give flowers you should give them in odd numbers, e.g. 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9. it is bad luck to give, for example, two flowers.

Exercise 2 Which of these customs and laws would you like to have in our country? Choose your top three.

3 It must be true…

Exercise 1 Read and translate the brief information from tabloids*.

An Argentinian housewife has been arrested for holding* a washing machine repair man hostage*. Terra Populares, 44, was so enraged* by her faulty* appliance* that she held a gun to the repair man’s head and forced him to sign a statement swearing* that the machine would never break again.

* * * * *

Rich Americans have come up with a novel* form of excitement: designer kidnaps*. For a few hundred dollars, organisers will discuss your preferred type of abduction*. Then, a few days later, masked men will drag you into the back of a van, and keep you captive for the agreed period. Organiser Brock Enright has conducted 24 such kidnappings; one client asked to be shoveled* into a hole and forced to stay there for days.

* * * * *

An American man has devised* a foolproof* plan to ensure* that his relatives visit his grave after his death. Grover Chestnut, of Montana, has left instructions for an ATM machine to be installed* in his headstone*. The machine will be programmed to dispense* $300 once a week to each of his heirs*.

* * * * *

Police are searching for a female driver who whizzed* along the motorway while eating a steak-and-chip* dinner with a knife and fork. Drivers on the M27 reported a woman driving erratically*, and upon closer inspections*, saw her carving* up her steak with cutlery* from a plate balanced on her lap*.

* * * * *

Scotland Yard has launched* a manhunt* for “Jack the Sipper*”. Police are searching for a man who targets* London cafes, engaging* diners* in small talk, distracting them, and then slurping* their tea when they’re not looking. By the time victims realize their cups are empty, the man has fled*.

* * * * *

Restaurants in Kerala, India, have banned* a man with a giant appetite from joining in their “all you can eat” offers*. Restaurant windows are plastered in posters* which read “Beware* of P. K. Rappai” along with pictures of the 18.5-stone* man, who eats enough rice and spicy lentils* for 20 people.

* * * * *

An Italian boss has been arrested for charging* an illegal immigrant rent to live in a car. The 35-years-old Tunisian refugee* was found living in an old estate car* which had been decorated with a bed, small desk and portable TV. “I was happy there and really thought I could settle down,” he said

tabloid – бульварна газета

to hold – утримувати

hostage – заложник, заручник

enraged – розлютований

faulty – зіпсований

appliance – прилад

to swear – присягатися

novel – оригінальний

designer kidnap – спроектоване викрадення

abduction – викрадення

captive – полонений

to shovel – засовувати, закопувати

to devise – придумати

foolproof – розм. нескладний

to ensure – забезпечити

to install – установлювати

headstone – надгробний камінь

to dispense – роздавати

heir – спадкоємець

to whiz – проноситися зі свистом

steak-and-chip – біфштекс зі смаженою картоплею

erratically – безладно

inspection – спостереження

to carve – різати

cutlery – ножові вироби

lap – коліна

to launch – починати

manhunt – переслідування

to sip – потягувати (маленькими ковтками), сьорбати

target – робити мішенню

to engage – залучати

diner – той, хто обідає

to slurp – поглинати

to flee (fled / fled) – зникнути

ban – забороняти

offer – пропозиція

poster – оголошення

to beware – остерігатися

stone = 6, 35 кг

lentil – сочевиця

to charge – брати, просити (ренту)

refugee – біженець

estate car – легковий автомобіль з кузовом “універсал”