Unit 2
Unit 2. Cultural Differences
Part A. Listening (Total: 20 marks)
Transcript
Source:
http://www.betteratenglish.com/real-english-conversations-cultural-differences-part-3-of-3/
Michael: Well, do you know, just to change the subject slightly, you just reminded me of
something, of a very good friend of mine, an English computer programmer who went on a
business trip to the United States. And when he was over there, somebody asked him where
one of the other programmers was 'cause they couldn‘t find him. And my friend Peter said,
―Oh, I think he‘s just popped outside for a fag.‖
Lori: Oh, dear!
M: Now, in British English the word fag is a very, very common, perfectly innocent slang
word for a cigarette.
L: Right.
M: And everybody knows it, everybody uses it, and you would be far more likely to talk
about a fag and fags as being cigarettes than you would actually say cigarette.
L: Uh huh.
M: So, but, but the look that the American fellow gave to Peter, saying that he nipped outside
for a fag, was quite priceless. So he had to explain on the spot, ―No that‘s not what I meant,‖
because, as we know, the word fag in American English is a slang word for somebody who is
homosexual.
L: Yeah, usually, a male, male…and it‘s not a very nice word I think, from what I‘ve
understood. It‘s a derogatory word for…
M: That‘s, that‘s what I understood.
L: …it‘s not very nice to say.
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M: But it was a perfectly innocent mistake, but you just reminded me of that.
L: I know! No, it‘s funny. And these are the kind of things…I‘m not sure they even teach
those types of words, you know, I‘ve never seen that taken up in a mainstream ELT [English
Language Teaching] course book.
M: Well, probably not. But it‘s the kind of thing that, as we know from experience, this kind
of mistake is very easy to make. And if you wanted to sound particularly, umm, if you want
to sound like your English was British English, then knowing words like that, that fag for
cigarette, is…would be a very important one. You would need to know what it was—and not
to get it confused.
L: Exactly.
M: You know, umm, so, I mean, a typical thing, ―I‘m just going to the shop to buy some
fags,‖ you know is an ev–
L: It‘s like, what kind of shops do you have over there?
M: [laughs] I know, I can understand…
L: Didn‘t know they sold those!
M: That‘s, well, when you come back from abroad in the duty-free you can get 200 fags very
cheaply!
L: OK, yeah, they have them on discount. Oh, funny!
M: But I can understand this must sound ridiculous to you, but as a British guy this is just
normal speak, this is what we say.
L: Well, that‘s another thing: Do you consider yourself British or do you consider yourself
English, or, does it matter?
M: Well no, I‘m English. I‘m very much English. I‘m sure you don‘t want to know about my
family history, but no, I think of myself as being English.
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L: OK.
M: And certainly the other countries, I mean, Scotland and Ireland and Wales, they like to
think of themselves as being exclusively Scottish and Irish, they don‘t really like to be
thought of as being British.
L: Mmm hmm.
M: I think they prefer to be thought of as independent. So…But, I don‘t know, I think
foreigners tend to think of…the people on that little green island in the middle of the sea,
umm, as just being British. It‘s just easier to say, to say Britain, you know.
L: Mmm hmm.
M: Umm, but no, I‘m English. That‘s it, yeah.
L: OK, and is it actually offensive to be called British, or…?
M: Not if you‘re English. But in…actually, some…as I was suggesting, that the Scottish,
Irish, and Welsh people could be offended to be called British.
L: Really?
M: Oh yeah, because, umm, they very much, you know, they like to have their independence,
and I‘m not completely sure, but I think that some…we have an independent Irish parliament
now. They‘re still governed overall by the English parliament, but they try to break away,
really. And certainly in southern Ireland, which is known as Eire, they‘re not British. I mean,
they‘re not part of the United Kingdom. It‘s all, it‘s all kind of complicated—I‘m from the
country and I don‘t even understand it properly!
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Unit 2
Take 1 minute to read the following questions. Listen to the recording. Mark down useful
notes and answer the following questions.
Section 1. M.C. (2 marks each)
1. What is the meaning of ‗fag‘ in ‗he‘s popped outside for a fag‘ in British English?
A. Cigarette.
B. Young boy.
C. Trouble.
2. What does ‗fag‘ mean in American English?
A. Somebody who is homosexual.
B. Cigarette.
C. Trouble.
3. Where does the man in the conversation come from?
A. Ireland
B. Scotland
C. England
4. Which of the following does the man consider himself to be?
A. British
B. English
C. Not mentioned in the conversation
5. Which of the following places is not part of the United Kingdom?
A. England
B. Scotland
C. Eire
Section 2. Fill in the blanks. (10 marks, 2 marks each)
Use one word for each blank.
According to the man, the Scootish, Irish and Welsh people would like to have their
independence. They have an independent Irish parliament now. They are still governed
overall by the English parliament, but they try to break away. And certainly in southern
Ireland, which is known as Eire, they are not British. They are not part of the United
Kingdom. It is all kind of complicated.
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Unit 2
Vocabulary list
Popped
To pop [+ adverb or preposition] is an informal way of saying ―to go quickly‖ in Br.E. For
example, ―I‘m just going to pop into the post office to buy some stamps.‖
Fag
An informal word for cigarette in Br.E. In Am.E, fag is a disparaging (i.e., not nice) word for
a male homosexual. It has several other meanings as well — see here.
Oh, dear!
A common exclamation of surprise.
Nipped
To go quickly. Similar to to pop (see above).
Priceless
If something is extremely amusing to see or hear, you can describe it as priceless.
On the spot
If you do something on the spot, you do it immediately. In this example, Michael‘s friend had
to immediately explain that ―fag‖ means cigarette in British English.
Derogatory
If something is derogatory, it shows disapproval or disrespect.
Duty-free
The duty-free is short for ―the duty-free shop.‖ Duty-free shops are usually found in airports,
and are special shops where travelers can buy goods that are free of government taxes.
Duty-free shops usually sell ―luxury‖ items that normally carry heavy government taxes, such
as alcohol, cigarettes, perfumes, and cosmetics.
On discount
If something is on discount, it is being sold at a reduced price.
Offensive
If something is offensive, it means that it causes someone to feel upset, angry, or hurt. People
can be offended by something, or take offense at something.
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Unit 2
Part B. Reading (Total: 30 marks)
Read the following articles and then answer the questions.
Passage 1 (20 marks)
Source: http://www.cnngo.com/hong-kong/life/how-be-local-10-tips-faking-it-316802
By John Chen
Date: April 3, 2012
How to be a Hong Kong local: 10 tips on faking it
The cross-harbor cab wave, how to use "seven" and other quick ways
to appear like we've lived here forever
Stop sticking out like a teetotaler in Wanchai and try out these little tricks for blending in
with the locals in Hong Kong.
1. How to hail a cross-harbor cab
To get a cab that is willing to cross the harbor, you could do the obvious and look for one of
the rare signs for a cross-harbor taxi stand.
Or you could just randomly flag down cabs and have an awkward shouting negotiation
through the car window with the driver who will be seated on the far side of the car.
Or use the cross-harbor arm wave.
Extend one arm in front of on-coming cab, use the hand and wrist to make an ocean wave
motion, indicating that you want the cab to metaphorically brave the harbor waters.
Yes, we know that cabs are legally obliged to take you wherever you want to go. A true Hong
Konger knows that laws should be interpreted only as loose guidelines. See the recent chief
executive (and election) dramas for further details.
2. How to speak
End every sentence, in English or any other language, with a Cantonese final particle, such as:
la, ar, wor, gar.
For example: "Hong Kong is so awesome la!"
3. How to use an umbrella
The importance of the umbrella to Hong Kongers can't be overestimated. Rarely exalted,
often abused, regularly left at a bar or in a car, the underdog tool is a Hong Konger's best
friend, come rain or shine.
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Unit 2
People, particularly women, always have a little retractable umbrella on them that also has an
anti-UV coating.
The umbrella keeps them relatively dry during downpours. For a city that gets rain for six
months of a year, its denizens really don't like to get wet.
The other half of the year is usually hot with strong sunshine and the magical shield is pulled
out again to block sunrays and keep the skin Fancl white.
4. How to document life
S**t Hong Kong people say at restaurants: ―Oh this dessert looks so cute! Hold on, can you
take a photo of me and this dessert? Do one more with the flash off. I blinked, take another
one.‖
Next thing you know, eight sets of photos with the same dessert but a variation of faces are
uploaded to Facebook while the cake collects dust.
Nothing in Hong Kong is more satisfying than flooding friends with photos of our food. It
can be more satisfying than eating the food itself.
So always ask if anyone wants to take a photo before setting your chopsticks into something.
5. How to ask for tissues
Asking for Kleenex will get you nowhere. We know the little sheets of delicate paper for
wiping fingers and noses as "tissue" (pronounced "T-see-u") or Tempo, the dominating brand
in Hong Kong.
Most self-respecting Hong Kongers always have a wad of Tempo at the ready, partly because
newspapers and magazines come with a complimentary pack. Sometimes, promo folks hand
them out at MTR exits just to make sure you aren't without.
(Text cut here)
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Unit 2
Questions
Answer questions 1 to 7 using information from the above article. Choose the best answer for
each question and write your answer in the space provided.
1. According to the passage, how many ways are there to hail a cross-harbour cab?
(2 marks)
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
2. Where do Hong Kong people put the Cantonese particles in every sentence? (2 marks)
A. At the beginning of a sentence
B. In the middle of a sentence
C. At the end of a sentence
3. Why do Hong Kong people always bring an umbrella? (2 marks)
A. To keep them dry on rainy days
B. To block sunrays
C. Both A and B
4. Which of the following do Hong Kong people like to do? (2 marks)
A. Taking photos before eating
B. Asking for Kleenex when they want tissues
C. Both A and B
5. Why do Hong Kong people call tissues as ‗Tempo‘? (2 marks)
A. It is the dominating brand in Hong Kong.
B. It is the only brand in Hong Kong.
C. The famous brand Kleenex cannot be found in Hong Kong.
6. What do people have to do to make a cross-harbour arm wave? (6 marks)
They have to extend one arm in front of on-coming cab, use their hand and wrist to
make an ocean wave motion, indicating that they want the cab to metaphorically brave
the harbor waters.
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Unit 2
7. What are the two reasons mentioned in the passage to explain why most self-respecting
Hong Kong people always have tissues at the ready? (4 marks)
It is because newspapers and magazines come with a complimentary pack. Sometimes,
promo folks hand them out at MTR exits.
Optional Reading (Passage 1 continued)
6. How to tip
Show your servers how much of a local you are and be stingy with tipping, or don't tip at all.
A service charge is almost always included in the bill, so Hong Kong diners don't bother
tipping unless the waiter did something extraordinary such as deboning your sweet and sour
pork.
Tipping is more about getting rid of loose change really. So people will leave HK$5.50 for a
$500 meal.
7. How to order food
Hong Kongers are very specific (picky) about what they want to order. The customized meal
orders at a local diner rivals Starbucks coffee orders.
The most commonly heard orders are "iced lemon tea with less sweetness no ice and lemon
slices on the side" as well as "fish ball noodles with no greens plus beef brisket soup base."
There's no chef snootiness to put up with here.
8. How to abbreviate
One thing Hong Kongers have in common with Aussies -- we like to abbreviate.
It's either because we are extremely lazy or extremely industrious -- we can't be bothered to
say the full phrase or we need to fit in as many nouns as possible in a short amount of time.
Either way, we like it low on syllables.
The 7-Eleven convenience store is just ―Seven‖ (pronounced "seh-fun"), Circle K is ―OK‖
and the spam and egg sandwich is literally ―sp-egg-wich‖ in Cantonese.
Our favorite is saying "sorry" -- rendered as, simply, ―sor."
9. How to not hold up the line
When it comes to commuting, it is all about not stopping. The body must be constantly
moving forward.
That is why train and bus schedules are committed to memory and it is also why it's
imperative Octopus cards are always topped up and taken out ahead of time when one needs
to pay.
The idea is to pass nonchalantly through the MTR turnstile without having to slow down at
all.
Don't be the slowpoke tourist who fumbles to find the Octopus card at the bottom of your bag
only after you hit the turnstile.
Or worse yet, not have enough credit.
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Unit 2
There's nothing more blush-worthy than the haunting, high-pitched beep of a rejected
Octopus and the walk of shame away from the turnstile.
10. How to count with hands
The best citizenship test as immigration officials will tell you, is to count in the local dialect.
Take it up a notch and count in the local sign language.
These three numbers can really show off your local know-how: six, nine and 10.
The number six can be represented by holding up six fingers. If you're a gauche tourist.
Hong Kongers like to do it elegantly and use the "hang ten" hand sign to symbolize six.
Nine gets a graphic representation, by curling the index finger down to resemble the shape of
the number "9."
And to sweep your fruit vendor off her feet, make a cross with your index fingers to indicate
that it is exactly 10 apples you want. The international sign for warding off vampires is the
Hong Kong sign for the number preceding eleven.
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Unit 2
Passage 2 (10 marks)
The following is a short passage from a blog in which the author expresses his opinions on
the previous article.
Source: http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/cultural+difference
[1] Sad but kind of true, or maybe it‘s just the cultural difference? Not sure. I mean,
sometimes I think those characters are pretty pathetic, really, like how they always try to
prove that they are having a great time, or how they enjoy the lives, how they love being a
Hong Konger in an international metropolis blah blah blah, but all I see is that they are just
ordinary people trying to make a living out of whatever they do, and most of the time they
hate it. They couldn‘t stand it, and they wish so much that things can change.
Anyway…should I care….
[2] Well, what‘s more pathetic is that I seriously read through the whole article and is
reposting it to my own blog even I know it‘s more like a try-to-cheer-you-up joke-like post
after I scanned through the first line!
[3] The writer ironically elaborates ten things that most of the Hong Kong people would do
that make them stand out from the tourists: walking in an extremely rush manner as if they
are in a speed walking competition; taking tons of photos in the restaurant and post them all
onto Facebook pretending they had a very good time even the food sucks and they could
barely stand it; and abbreviating everything trying to make it easier and save some time
which turns out to make everything more weird, like the way they say ‗sor ar‘. It is simply
annoying.
[4] If there‘s anything else that I can add to the list, wearing brand products is definitely on it.
LV bags, Channel glasses, oh… iPhone is a must-have item, or else how can you possibly
stay on the metro for nearly an hour!
[5] Other than that, I think this writer really did a great job in summarizing the key weird
characters of Hong Kong local people. Enjoy!
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Unit 2
Questions
Answer questions 1 to 5 using information from the above article. Choose the best answer for
each question and write your answer in the space provided. (2 marks each)
1. How does the writer think of the characters of Hong Kong people?
A. Positive
B. Negative
C. Neutral
2. What would the writer put into the list if there is anything she could add?
A. Wearing brand products
B. Walking very fast
C. Talking very fast
3. What is the meaning of the word ‗pathetic‘ in paragraph 2?
A. Casuing one to feel pity or sadness
B. Inadequate
C. Funny
4. The word ‗it‘ in paragraph 2 refers to…
A. Hong Kong
B. Cultural differences
C. The whole article
5. The writer thinks that iPhone should be on the list. Why do people need an iPhone
according to the writer?
A. They can have some entertainment on the MTR.
B. They need to talk for business.
C. They need to take tons of photos in the restaurant.
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Unit 2
Part C. Writing (Total: 30 marks)
Write about 300 words on the following topic.
Letter:
Write a letter to the author John Chen to tell him your comments on Passage 1 in Part 2.
Do you agree with him that Hong Kong people have those habits? What would you take
away or add to the list of ‘How to be a Hong Kong local: 10 tips on faking it’?
Sign your letter C. Wong. Do not write an address.
You are reminded of the importance of clear handwriting and the need for planning and
proofreading.
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Unit 2
Part D. Speaking (Total: 20 marks)
Find a partner or make an appointment with an ELLRC instructor to talk about the following
topic for 1.5 to 2 minutes. You have 1 minute to think about what you are going to say. You
can make some notes to help you if you wish.
Have you ever encountered any cultural differences that make you feel embarrassed?
Could you describe your experience?
The student may talk about:
- a travel experience
- foreigners s/he encountered before in Hong Kong
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