4 minute read
Keep Calm and Be Polite
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Preaction
Study the examples texts below and make a double bubble on British and Norwegian behaviour, see page 27.
4/5 Work in the UK
“Last year I travelled to Scotland with my family. First, we felt uncomfortable being greeted when entering and leaving shops, not knowing how to reply. Then, after a while, hearing “Good morning, how are you?” and replying “Fine, thanks, how are you?” became a habit. Also, we had to remember to stand to the right on escalators to let people in a hurry go by on the left, and we had to make sure to never enter a bus first unless we were first in line. Afterwards it felt odd coming home where no one says “thank you” and “excuse me”. ““I work part-time at a hotel where I mostly help out with the luggage and run errands. Being polite is I was having dinner with some British friends and I wanted more potatoes. The potatoes were on the Keep Calm and Be Polite other side of the person extremely important, and In stressful situations at work, it is important to sitting next to me, so I just I have had to learn a lot keep calm and be polite. Norwegians do not usually reached over him and took of phrases in both English use polite phrases like “please”, “sorry”, “excuse them. He looked strangely and Norwegian. I quickly me”, “How do you do?”, “How are you doing?”, at me. Later I was told that noticed that Norwegians etc. Surveys confirm that we are often considered what I did is known as “the are quite impolite compared rude when speaking English. Therefore, it is vital
Norwegian arm”. We tend to to people from other to practice useful phrases in English for work stretch over others to grab countries. Guests from situations. Politeness is essential, and your polite something instead of asking abroad give me a tip, they behaviour at work will show that you are a good them to pass it. look me in the eyes and listener, an active participant in conversations, open they say "thank you" and to giving and receiving feedback and instructions, luggage baggasje "please", while Norwegians and aware of the impression of body language. vital viktige often do not. Also, considered sett på som Norwegians are really direct. SOURCE rude uhøflig/uhøfleg They will for example say, Johansen, S. H. 2018. Det er egentlig ikke typisk essential avgjørende/avgjerande participant deltaker/deltakar “Here, take my luggage”. norsk å være god i engelsk. Forskning.no receiving motta / ta imot Always stand to the right on escalators.Vurderingseksemplar
What do you do if a colleague does not speak Norwegian or you are contacted by a foreigner?
USEFUL PHRASES AT WORK:
– Welcome! I am ... – Would you like to have a coffee before we start? – The main reason for this meeting is ... – Does anyone have any questions? – Thank you for your attention. – When can I get in touch with you? – How do you prefer to be contacted?
Imagine that a Norwegian is visiting an office in Brighton for the first time. When he is asked if he has any further questions, his answer is “no”. Is this rude? Give reasons for your answer.
Would you act differently when serving tourists versus Norwegians in a restaurant? What is most important? USEFUL PHRASES AT A RESTAURANT: – Good evening and welcome! – Would you like a menu? – Would you like to have something to drink? – Are you ready to order? – Would you like something else? – Shall I bring the bill? – I hope you enjoyed your meal! – I hope to see you again soon. Imagine that a Norwegian at a restaurant is asked if she wants something to drink and she answers “water”. Is this rude? Give reasons for your answer.
Customer service is an important skill. How will this be part of your future job? USEFUL PHRASES IN A SHOP: – Good morning, how can I help you today? – Are you looking for something in particular? – Let me know if you need any assistance. – Have a lovely day!
Research the expression “the Norwegian arm”. Discuss situations in a shop where this is misunderstood as impoliteness. What would a British person normally do in the same situation? ACTION 1 In pairs: a In a restaurant, how would you respond to “Would you like something to drink?” “soda”, “give me a soda”, “a soda, please”, “Can I have a soda, please?”, “Could I have a soda, please?” b Discuss the quote by Bill Gates. What do you think he means? c Study examples on page 27 again. Using the useful phrases, act out the situations in a more Vurderingseksemplar polite manner. d Make a dialogue between an employee in a business of your choice and a demanding customer/client.
Bill Gates, Business @ the Speed of Thought (1999) 2 Find the Johansen 2018 article at Forskning.no.
Skim the article. Write the paragraph headlines in English, and in your own words note down the main points of each paragraph.
