UNIDAD EDUCATIVA MUNICIPAL”JOSÉ RICARDO CHIRIBOGA”

ENGLISH
Support Material
Topic: Greetings and Cultural
Taboos
Third Year
Index

1. Introduction.
Greetings in different
cultures.
Exercises
2. Taboos in greetings.
Key Concepts.
Cultural awareness.
Exercises
3. Understanding differences.
Polite ways to not answer a
question.
Exercises
Class 1
1. Introduction

LISTEN TO THE FOLLOWING VIDEO TO INTRODUCE THE TOPIC.

https://youtu.be/B5JNOu70haQ?si=pRHZJMhTjyvjMGDt

SPEAKING

What did you understand from the video?

Greetings in different cultures

1) Japan:
Common Greeting: Bowing – People bow at
different angles, with a deeper bow showing
more respect. Handshakes are less common.
Physical Contact: Touching is minimal in public;
bowing replaces handshakes and hugs.
2) France/Latin Cultures (e.g., Spain, Italy, Latin America):
Common Greeting: Cheek Kisses – In France, typically two kisses (one on
each cheek), while in Spain, sometimes two or even more in some regions.
In Latin America, one or two cheek kisses are typical.
3) India
Common Greeting: Namaste – People press their palms together at chest
level and bow slightly.
Physical Contact: Handshakes are common in business settings, but the
traditional greeting of “Namaste” involves no physical contact.
4) Middle East (e.g., Saudi Arabia, UAE):
Common Greeting: Handshakes – Men typically shake hands with men. It’s
customary not to shake hands with women unless the woman offers her
hand first.
Physical Contact: A handshake followed by placing the hand on the heart is
a warm greeting. In some areas, close friends may kiss each other on the
cheek or touch noses.
5) China:
Common Greeting: Nods or Slight Bows – Handshakes are becoming more
common, but a nod or bow is more traditional.
Physical Contact: Chinese culture tends to avoid public displays of
affection or close physical contact in formal settings.
6) Thailand:
Common Greeting: Wai – This is a prayer-like gesture with the palms
pressed together and a slight bow of the head.
Physical Contact: Wai replaces handshakes and embraces. There is
minimal physical contact.

Exercises:
1.Mark each statement as true or false.
a) In Japan, handshakes are more common than bowing.
___ True
 ___ False
b) In Latin America, people typically greet with one or two cheek kisses.
___ True
___ False
c) The greeting “Namaste” in India involves physical contact.
___ True
___ False
d) In Saudi Arabia, men and women always shake hands when greeting.
___ True
___ False
e) The traditional greeting in China is a nod or slight bow.
___ True
___ False
Class 2

2.Taboos in Greetings:

In every culture, people greet each other in different ways. Some gestures that are
polite in one culture might be rude in another. It’s important to learn what is okay
and what is not when greeting people from different places.

Key Concepts to Remember:

1) Touching
-Normal in Some Cultures: In many Western countries, a pat on the shoulder or
back is a friendly gesture.
-Rude in Other Cultures: In some Asian countries, especially Thailand and Sri
Lanka, touching someone’s head is considered disrespectful. The head is seen as
the most sacred part of the body.

2) Personal Space
-Normal in Some Cultures: In Latin American and
Mediterranean cultures, people stand close when
they greet and talk.
-Rude in Other Cultures: In Northern Europe (like
Sweden, Norway, Finland), standing too close to
someone during a greeting might make people feel uncomfortable.

3) Left Hand vs. Right Hand

-Normal in Some Cultures: In many cultures, people use both hands for eating,
giving, or shaking hands.
-Rude in Other Cultures: In some parts of India, the Middle East, and Africa, using
the left hand for greetings or giving items is considered impolite. The right hand is
preferred for these actions.

Cultural Awareness Tips:

1. Observe Others: When you travel to a new

country, observe how people greet each other.
This will help you avoid making mistakes.
2. Ask If You’re Unsure: If you are not sure about
how to greet someone, it’s okay to ask. People
appreciate it when you try to respect their
customs.

Exercises:
PRACTICE ACTIVITY
1. Match the following actions to whether they are polite or rude in certain
cultures.

a) Patting someone’s head ______

b) Shaking hands ______

2. Fill in the blanks:

a) In Sweden, it’s better to stand __________ (close/far) from people when

greeting.
b) In Spain, people may stand __________ (closer/farther) when they say hello.

3. Choose the correct answer:

a) In India, it is polite to shake hands with your __________ (left/right) hand.

b) In the United States, using your left hand to greet is __________ (okay/not
okay).

4. Match the gesture to the culture where it might be considered rude.

a) Touching someone’s head __________ (India/Thailand)

b) Using the left hand to give something __________ (Middle East/USA)
c) Standing very close to someone __________ (Northern Europe/Latin
America)

SPEAKING
5. What do you understand by the word “taboo”?
Class 3
3.Understanding Differences

Emphasize that it’s important to be aware of and

respect cultural differences in greetings, so we
can avoid offending others unintentionally.

When learning a new language, it’s key to

understand not just the words, but also the
culture and social rules behind conversations.
In many cultures, certain topics are considered
taboos, meaning they are sensitive or
inappropriate to discuss, especially with people you don’t know well. This is
especially true when greeting someone or having casual conversations.

For example, asking about a person’s age, money, or personal life can be
uncomfortable or impolite. These topics may be common in some cultures, but in
English-speaking cultures, they are often considered private matters. Instead, it’s
important to use polite language and avoid these sensitive areas to make others
feel respected and comfortable.

Polite Ways to not answer a question.

1) General responses:
“Oh, I prefer not to talk about that, if you don’t mind.”
“That’s a bit personal for me, but I appreciate your interest.”

2) When asked about age:

“Age is just a number, right?”
“Let’s keep that a mystery!”

3) When asked about money:

“I prefer to keep that private, but thanks for asking.”
“That’s something I don’t usually discuss, but what about you? Do you like your
job?”

4) When asked about relationships or personal life:

“That’s a little private, but let’s talk about something else!

In conclusion, understanding and respecting cultural differences in greetings and

conversations is crucial for effective communication, especially when learning a
new language. It is essential to recognize that some topics, such as age, money, or
personal life, may be sensitive and inappropriate to discuss in certain cultures,
particularly in English-speaking contexts. By using polite language and avoiding
these topics, we can create a comfortable and respectful atmosphere for everyone
involved. This awareness not only helps prevent unintentional offense but also
enhances our ability to connect with others in a meaningful way.

Exercises:
FILL IN THE BLANKS

1. Complete the sentences with the correct words from the box.

(greeting, polite, private, questions, comfortable)

a. It is important to be ______ when talking to new people.

b. Some ______ can make others feel uneasy or offended.
c. A good ______ can start a nice conversation.
d. We should respect ______ matters and not ask about them.
e. Being ______ helps everyone enjoy the conversation.

WRITING

2. Write a short paragraph (3-4 sentences) about why it is important to respect

cultural differences in greetings. Use the following prompts:

✓ Why are greetings important?

✓ How can we show respect?

✓ What should we avoid discussing in casual conversations?