It’s really true what people say about English
politeness: it’s everywhere. When squeezing past someone in a narrow
passage, people say “sorry”. When getting off a bus, English passengers say
“thank you” rather than the driver. In Germany, people would never dream of
doing these things. After all, squeezing past others is sometimes unavoidable,
and the bus driver is only doing his job. I used to think the same way, without
questioning it, until I started traveling to the British Isles, and here are
some more polite ways of interacting with people in UK.
People thank each other everywhere in England, all the
time. When people buy something in a shop, customer and shop assistant in most
cases thank each other twice or more. In Germany, it would be exceptional to
hear more than one thank you in such a conversation. British students thank
their lecturers when leaving the room. English employers thank their employees
for doing their jobs, as opposite to Germans, who would normally think that
paying their workers money is already enough.
Another thing I observed during my stay was that
English people rarely criticize others. Even when I was working and mistakes
were pointed out to me, my employers emphasized several times but none of their
explanations were intended as criticism. It has been my impression that by
avoiding criticism, English people are making an effort to make others feel
comfortable. This also is showed in other ways. British men still open doors
for women, and British men are more likely to treat women to a meal than German
men. However, I do need to point out here that this applies to English men a bit
more than it would to Scottish men! Yes, the latter are a bit tightfisted.
1.What is the author’s attitude towards English
politeness?
A. He thinks it is unnecessary. B.
He thinks little of it.
C. He appreciates it very much. D.
He thinks it goes too far.
2.What can be inferred from the passage?
A. German men never treat a woman to dinner.
B. The author think it’s unnecessary to say “thank
you” to the bus driver.
C. In Germany, employers often say “thank you” to
employees for their job.
D. Germans think it is unnecessary to thank workers
because payment is enough.
3.We can learn from the last paragraph that Scottish
men ______.
A. like to fight with each other
B. treat women in a polite way
C. are as generous as English men
D. are unwilling to spend money for women
4.The author develops the text through the method of
______.
A. making comparisons B. telling stories C.
giving reasons D. giving examples
