Reading

4. | PW./GW. Read the conversation about "Culture in My Country" and create a survey on "Culture and Customs in Azerbaijan" using the model.

Model:

■ It is important ... ■ It is normal ... ■ It is common ... | ■ It is acceptable... ■ It is not acceptable ... ■ It is polite...

Culture in My Country
Aydan: Azerbaijan is a country that holds its national traditions sacred. We always respect our grandparents who are the head of the family. Guests are always most valued for our people. We always offer them the best room, our national food and warm welcoming. It is customary to do our best for them. When we have guests at the dinner table, they should start first to taste anything. Azerbaijani people have wise proverbs about hospitality: “A house without a guest is like a mill without water”, or “The provision (food) for a guest comes before the guest.” (Azerbaijan)
Rosy: In Peru, if you visit your friends, you never arrive on time. It’s perfectly okay if you’re not punctual and arrive an hour late, nobody cares - it’s expected! But if you really want people to be punctual, you have to say “Hora Inglesa” which means “English time”. (Peru)
Pavel: Men usually shake hands when they greet each other, not only for the first time they meet, or if they haven’t seen each other for a long time, like people do in England, but every day. When a man enters a room, it’s quite common to shake hands with all the other men in the room. (Russia)
Gabriella: The people in Spain lead a different lifestyle. For example, they don’t have a big breakfast in the mornings. But they have an old custom to have a rest and sleep after lunch which is called “siesta”. The siesta is a short nap taken after the midday meal. It is not only the traditional daytime sleep in Spain, but also common in some other countries. The main reasons for siesta- unbearable high temperature and a big midday meal that make it welcome at home. (Spain)
Lee Kuan: When you go to Singapore, people expect you to dress smartly. The wearing style is important. Your clothes can’t be dirty or old. And it’s important to be fashionable, especially for women, with nice make-up and jewellery. (Singapore)