English Lessons

If all countries and cultures were the same, the world is boring. On the contrary, places on Earth can be so different that people experience "culture shock". For Westerners, it is quite shocking when people in Peru eat guinea pig for lunch or people in China eat monkey brains for dinner. It is also surprising when people from technologically advanced countries visit farms in India or Romania. Here they see animals like oxen working as machines. These are few examples and people should "expect the unexpected" if going abroad.

Culture shock

It's simply a common way to describe the confusing and nervous feelings a person may have after leaving a familiar culture to live in a new and different culture. When you move to a new place, you're bound to face a lot of changes. That can be exciting and stimulating, but it can also be overwhelming. You may feel sad, anxious, frustrated, and want to go home.
It's natural to have difficulty adjusting to a new culture. People from other cultures (whom you'll be hanging out with) may have grown up with values and beliefs that differ from yours. Because of these differences, the things they talk about, the ways they express themselves, and the importance of various ideas may be very different from what you are used to.

Culture is made up of the common things that members of a community learn from it includes:
1. family
2. friends
3. media
4. literature
5. strangers.

DISCUSSION POINTS:

1. What are some more examples of cultural differences between countries, races, and ethnic groups?

For instance, would it be rude if a name was written with red ink in Thailand or would you offend people if you were whistling in Russia?

2. What do you usually encounter when moving in to a new place?

3. Are people from other cultures rude or are cultural differences a good reason to explain someone's unusual behavior?
For example, is it rude to blow your nose in public or can it just be accepted as a cultural difference?

4. Should people from various parts of the world change their style when visiting another country or should they keep the style that they know from their home country?

For instance, is it acceptable for a Brazilian to be late for an appointment in the West because at the right time is not common in Brazil, although it is necessary in the West?

5. Why is it important to understand cultural differences in business?

6. How do you deal with the differences between cultures?

7. How can you begin to feel comfortable in your new surroundings?

EXPRESSIONS:

Be turned off - lose interest
She will be turned off by the shopkeeper if he seems greedy.

Be caught off guard - be surprised, or not prepared.
I was caught off guard when my boss asked me for the sales results.

Leave a bad taste on your mouth - leave a bad feeling or bad impression
Yelling at customers will be a bad taste in their mouths.

Called off - canceled
The meeting was called off when the company's director was ill.

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