Come round to my place!

1. You will hear three people talking about inviting guests home for a meal. Listen and complete the chart.

potluck – обед в складчину

starter- закуска, салат

show off –красоваться, хвастаться

skewers - шампур

tempura or sukiyaki – рыба и овощи, запеченные в тесте

	Sumie Nagano, Japan	Kate Bristol, England	Lucas Porto Alegre, Brazil
Formal/informal
Day/time
Preparations
Gifts
Food/drink

5. Answer the questions.

1. Is it acceptable to show off too much in Japan?

2. How do Japanese people see out their guests?

3. Do Bristolians like to have people over for lunch?

4. In what part of Brasil is 'Churrasco' popular?

5. What do people usually do at a 'Churrasco'?

Discussion

Work in small groups. Compare information.

• What happens in your country? Is it usual to invite people to your home for a meal? What are such occasions like in your home?

4 National Сharacter

Reading and speaking

Vocabulary notes

have a reputation for– иметь репутацию	renowned for– известный чем-л.
disputing - споры	queue - очередь
to indicate – указывать на	to attach – прилагать, приписывать
orderly–организованный, спокойный	rush- мчаться, нестись
concerned–рассматриваемые, упомянутые	gracious – вежливый, любезный
Striking- поразительный, удивительный	to praise - хвалить
сourtesy – учтивость, вежливость	leisurely– досужий, неторопливый
self-reliant – уверенный в себе	to conceal - скрывать
conventional – стандартный, классический	to remind - напоминать
to signify–показывать, обозначать	to bother – беспокоиться, утруждаться

1. Read and translate the text.

English Сharacter

Because English culture dominates the cultures of the other three nations of the British Isles, everyday habits, attitudes and values among the peoples of the four nations are very similar. However, they are not identical, which is reflected in certain stereotypes of national character which are well-known in Britain. For instance, the Irish are supposed to be great talkers, the Scots have a reputation for being careful with money, and the Welsh are renowned for their singing ability. These characteristics are, of course, only caricatures and are not reliable descriptions of indi­vidual people from these countries. Nevertheless, they indicate some slight differences in the value attached to certain kinds of behavi­our in the countries concerned. What is often regarded as a typically British may in fact be only typically English.

One of the most striking features of English character is the self-discipline and courtesy of people of all classes. There is little noisy behavior, and practically no loud disputing in the street. People do not rush excitedly for seats in buses or trains, but take their seats in queues at bus stops in a quiet and orderly manner.

Englishmen are naturally polite and are never tired in saying “Thank you”, “I’m sorry”, “Beg your pardon”. If you follow anyone who is entering a building or a room, he will hold a door open for you. Many foreigners have commented on a remarkable politeness of the English people.

English people don’t like displaying their emotions even in dangerous and tragic situations, and ordinary people seem to remain good-tempered and cheerful under difficulties.

The Englishman does not like any boasting or showing off in manners, dress or speech. Sometimes he conceals his knowledge: a linguist, for example, may not mention his understanding of a foreigner’s language.

The Englishman prefers his own house to an apartment in a block or flats, because he doesn’t wish his doing to be overlooked by his neighbours. “An Englishman’s house is his castle”.

Many English men help their wives at home in many ways. They clean the windows on Saturday afternoon; they often wash up the dishes after supper in the evening.

Londoners like to get out of town on Sundays. The sea is not far – only fifty or sixty miles away and people like to go down to the sea in summer or somewhere to the country for skiing in winter.

If to talk about British characteristics in general, the British have few living folk traditions and are too individualistic to have the same everybody habits as each other. They are rather proud of being different as a nation too. For example, it is difficult to imagine that they will ever agree to change from driving on the left-hand side of the road to driving on the right.

The British are considered to be rather formal in their general behavior. This is not true. They observe formalities when playing a public role, but in everyday life being friendly often involves showing that you are not bothering with the formalities. In the last decades of the 20^th century, the general amount of informality increased. At the same time, the traditional reserve has also been breaking down. More groups in society now kiss when meeting each other (women and women, and men and women, but still never men and men!).

2. Answer the questions.

1. Are attitudes and values among the peoples of the four nations identical?

2. What do stereotyped characteristics indicate?

3. What is typical of English people of all classes?

4. When do the Englishmen remain their reserve?

5. Why do English people prefer to live in their own house?

6. Do the British have many folk traditions today?

7. What are they proud of?

8. Are the British really as formal in their general behavior as considered?

3. Complete the sentences.

1) For instance, the Irish are supposed to be…, the Scots have a reputation for … , and the Welsh are renowned ….2) What is often regarded as a typically British may in fact be only typically … 3) People do not rush excitedly for seats in buses or trains, but take their seats in queues at bus stops in a …4) The Englishman does not like any boasting or showing off in …, …, … .5) The British are considered to be rather formal in their … 6)Many foreigners have commented on a remarkable … .7) They are rather proud of … 8) Many English men help their wives at home … .

4. Give a short summary of the text.

5. Read and translate the following text.