Work sheets from my EL

i find this few work sheets meaningful. so, i decided to post it up here. :D

I own nothing about this stuff. just posting for fun. :)

When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do.

In Latin American countries, it is customary to be late for appointments. The Swedes expect people to arrive precisely on time. In Egypt, even the smallest service should be rewarded with a tip. Japan is virtually a no-tipping society. In Mexico, courtesy requires that you inquire about one's spouse or family. In Saudi Arabia, such question would be an intrusion of privacy.

How can travellers "do as the Romans:? A survey of well-travelled people from other countries who now live in The United States produced this advice.

Japan. While bowing is the customary greeting, the handshake is acceptable these days, says Etsuko Penner of the Japanese National Tourist Organization, but the foreigner is advised to wait and see what the Japanese does. If he or she extends a hand, shake it, but if greeted by a bow, it's better to return one, bending from the waist, with the hands at your sides. Sightseers should remember to remove their shoes on entering any religious place or a private home. Invitations to Japanese homes are rare, since the Japanese see them as private, modest and unsuitable for entertaining guests, they prefer to entertain outside the home. Eating on the street is frowned upon, although increasing numbers of young people do it, partly because the growth of American-style fast food places. At the table, lay chopsticks on the table; never leave them in a bowl. Travellers do not tip taxi drivers. Hairdressers do not get tips, and neither does a chambermaid, unless she is asked to perform a specific task. What you do then, says Mrs. Penner of the tourist organization, is to wrap the money in a piece of paper and give it to her. To pass money "nakedly" would be demeaning. As for gifts, they are not opened when they are given. So do not be disappointed by the absence of oohs and ahs.

Sweden. An invitation for 7 P.M. means you must arrive precisely at 7. "It's not uncommon for guests to make sure they get to the right place on time by arriving 15minutes early and then walk around the block or, in an apartment building; wait downstairs untul the exact hour." says Swedish-born Mona Staaf. "You shake hands when you say hello and when you say goodbye, and it's considered good manners to shake hands on leaving before, not after, you put on your coar." Miss Staaf, who is the front office manager of the Interlaken Inn in KLakeville, adds, "There's very little kissing, except for very close relatives, and it's not unusual for sisters to greet each other with a handshake." Dinner guests in private homes should arrive with flowers - with the wrapping removed - or a box of chocolates, not wine (which is relatively expensive in Sweden). The honoured guest will be placed at the hostess's left. Before leaving the table, thank the hosts for the meal and telephone the next day to say thank you again.

Mexico. "A smile and handshake will go a long way in Mexico," says Vincent Hodgins of the Mexican National Tourist Council, "but a gentleman should never ever attempt to kiss a woman he doesn't know well, either on the face or on the hand. "While it seems that everyone is embracing, kissing is only got those with long-standing relationships. In this country, your host will expect you to be 15 to 30 minutes late for lunch and dinner; woman invited on their own are never expected to arrive on time. Chivalry is very much alive, and men open doors of cars and buildings for women. They are expected to stand when a woman enters a room and to give up their seat on buses and on the subway. It is generally considered in poor taste to wear shorts on city streets and for women to wear slacks in any social gathering. If you should be invited to spend the weekend at a Mexican 's home, sending flowers to the hostess is considered preferable to arriving with a gift.

Egypt. If you admire a possession or an article of clothing, says Nimet Habachy, the host of the WQXR "New York at Night" program, it is likely to be offered to you. It is a custom, "part formula and part generousity," that confounds many visitors. They should use discretion about whether to accept the offering. Miss Habachy, a native of Cairo, recommends that women dress conservatively in public places. "For Westerners, especially women, to walk around without sleeves is not a good move, and shorts are out. Many mosques, espcially those off the usual tour beat, do not welcome women; and visitors, on entering a mosque, should remove their shoes and put on the vover-sock that is provided. "Remember, too, that tips are the only source of income for many people. A tip is expected for the least service. That is the way it is."