Codes of Conduct

The Warehouse MadridUpper-Intermediate Class

Take (expressions)

• Take a long time• Take a lot of risks• Take something too seriously• Take advice from somebody• Take someone for granted• Take responsibility for something• Take notice of someone/something• Take time (to do something)• Take sides (in arguments)

Do you know English people?

• Where and how did you meet them?• What are they like?

• Use four adjectives to describe English people.– Proper– Shy – Clever– Opinionated

Are the English friendly?

• After reading the article “Watching the English”, do you think that Kate Walsh thinks that the English are friendly or unfriendly?– Why?

#2

1. English codes aren’t obvious to everyone.2. People who commute together don’t often become

friends.3. Weather speak is a common way of starting a

conversation with strangers.4. You should always agree with the person’s opinion

about the weather.5. English people don’t like talking about themselves to

strangers. 6. It’s impolite to ask English people about money.

Verb+ ing

• As part of a continuous verb form:– As an Englishman, I was laughing out loud…– She was riding her bike when the car honked at

her. – Where is Greg? He’s taking a shower.

Verb + ing

• After prepositions– Apart from asking for information…– Besides flirting with my sister, he ate all my

wedding cake!

Verb + ing

• After certain verbs:– We also avoid talking about money.– He loves asking people for directions.– She enjoys travelling.

Verb + ing

• As an adjective:– This highly entertaining book looks at…– She’s rather boring, isn’t she?

Verb + ing

• In reduced relative clauses– People standing at a bus stop will often break an

uncomfortable silence by…– Gliding down the amazon river in a kayak, you’ll

soon fall in love with South America.

Verb + ing

• Despite• In spit of

• Despite asking her to stay and give them another chance, she left without even saying goodbye.

• In spite of wanting a new wardrobe, she opted for wearing her clothes from last Fall again.

Verb + ing

• As the subject of a verb

• Talking to strangers on trains just isn’t done.• Riding a bus for 8 hours can be uncomfortable.

Verb + ing• After these verbs:

• Hear• See• Watch• Feel• Imagine• Stop• Love• Like• Don’t mind• Dislike• Hate

Verb + ing

• As a noun

• Reading• Playing football• Cooking• Drawing• Running• Cycling

Verb + ing

• After fixed phrases– There’s no point in– It’s a waster of time– It’s not worth– It’s no use

• There’s no point in telling her, she’ll just get upset.

#51. The section of Kate Fox’s book explaining the rules

of queuing is fascinating and the English obey these rules without thinking about it.

2. Jumping a queue will certainly annoy those people queuing properly.

3. However despite feeling intense anger towards the queue jumper, the English will often say nothing – staring angrily is more their style.

4. Then there are the rules for saying please and thank you. The English thank bus drivers, taxi drivers, anyone giving them a service.

#55. In fact the English spend a lot of time saying

please and thank you, and they hate not being thanked if they think they deserve it.

6. Not saying thank you will often cause a person to sarcastically shout out, “You’re welcome!”.

#6

1. I can’t stand people cutting in front of me in Passport Control.

2. Taking a nap is the best way to relax. 3. I think cycling is really fun. 4. I’m going to the beach next week. 5. I think football is exciting at times, but can be really

boring.6. I really enjoy doing yoga. 7. I’m thinking of learning how to paint next year. 8. I spend a lot of time cleaning my house.

Social Codes in the USA

• In NYC, staring at someone on the subway could get you into trouble.

• Queuing or “waiting in line” is absolutely necessary. It’s considered very rude to cut in line.

• In spite of appearing like an “everything goes” country, there are dress codes in some social situations, like weddings, church and the golf course!

• We don’t appreciate people not saying “please and thank you”. In fact, like the English, we expect it.

• Talking to strangers is more acceptable in the U.S. than in England, I suppose. Talking to strange children is a big NO NO, however.

Social Codes in the USA

• Talking loudly in public is not as looked down upon as in England, but you can get a dirty glare or even a confrontation.

• Some subjects are very taboo in the USA. Talking about religion, politics and race with a coworker is usually frowned upon, unless you’ve known them for years and are already familiar with their views. We’re a very PC country.

• Farting in public or burping in a restaurant might cause offense. Not leaving a tip at a restaurant is definitely offensive towards the server and the restaurant.