Unit: 1 GIVING, WITHHOLDING AND REPORTING PERMISSION

A World Guide to Good Manners: How not to Behave Badly Abroad

Points to Remember:

• Americans shake their hands firmly, whereas the Japanese do not do so.
• In America, there is physical contact during greetings, but it is not so in Japan.
• The Japanese bow as per the degree of respect, but the Americans do not do so.
• Muslim women should not wear clothes revealing their bodies.
• People prefer discussing during meals in Britain and the United States.
• It is necessary to print your business card in the local language while you are going to a country where your language is not widely spoken.
• The physical distance between the speakers plays a significant role in most South American countries and Mexico.
• In many Asian cultures, it is acceptable to Smack your lips when you eat. It means that the food is good.
• In France, you should not sit down in a café until you have shaken hands with everyone you know.
• In India, Nepal and the Middle East, you must never use the left hand for greeting, eating or drinking.
• In China, your host will keep refilling your dish unless you lay your chopsticks across your bowl.
• Most South Americans and Mexicans like to stand very close to the person they are talking to. You should not back away.
• In Russia, you must match your host’s drink for a drink or they will think you are unfriendly.
• In Ireland, social events sometimes end with singing and dancing. You might be asked to sing.

Mannerisms in Nepal

1. Nepali people greet by saying namaste by joining both palms. 
2. Nepali people address each other by saying didi, bahini, daai, bhaai, buwa and aamaa for a warm reaction.
3. The gesture of nodding the head means you are interested in the interlocutor; shaking of head left to right means you do not agree.
4. While meeting for the first time, Nepali people ask about each other’s names, hometowns and professions.
5. While eating, once you have touched something to your lips, it is regarded as polluted (jutho) for everyone else.
6. If you are eating with your hands, use the right one only. The left hand is reserved for washing.
7. Men wear shirts/long trousers, and women wear a sari or Kurtha Suruwal on most occasions.
8. One can shake hands with a stranger; kissing and hugging another in public is not accepted.

Read the text, and decide whether the following statements are true or false.

1. When an American meets us for the first time, we shake hands. True
2. In many parts of Asia, friends kiss on both cheeks when they meet. False
3. In Mexico, many people think that lunch is a time to relax and socialise. True
4. In India, we should take off our shoes when entering a restaurant. False
5. In Japan, we must present our business cards with both hands. True
6. In Spain, some businesses close in the early afternoon for a couple of hours. True

Grammar

Asking for permission

• Can I (verb) …
• May I (verb) …
• Is it OK if (subject +verb) …
• Is it all right if (subject +verb)…

Giving permission

• Of course.
• Yes, that’s fine.
• That's OK.
• That’s all right.

Withholding permission

• Sorry, I’m afraid.
• You can… but…..
• I’m afraid not.
• You can’t possibly…

Report the following sentences

1. “You can use my pencil.”
   I’m allowed to use her pencil.
2. "Don’t let them enter through this gate.”
   They are not permitted to enter through this gate.
3. “You can take photographs here.”
   I am allowed to take photographs here.
4. “Don’t let them leave the school.”
   They are not allowed to leave the school.
5. “Let her sit here.”
   She is allowed to sit here.
6. “You can play here.”
   I am allowed/permitted to play here.
7. “Don’t let them speak English in Nepali class.”
   They are not permitted to speak English in Nepali class.