People often say that the British are very traditional,and it is probably true.But who isn't traditional?Many years ago I met a student from Germany.She told me she thought that the British are very traditional and she was critical She obviously felt that she was a modern young woman and was impatient with tradition.I said "But you are very traditional!"She was astonished!She said,"How can you say that? And I said,"Because whenever we meet you want to shake hands!"And she replied,"But its only natural!
People often say that the British are very traditional, and it is probably true. But who isn’t traditional? Many years ago I met a student from Germany. She told me she thought that the British are very traditional and she was critical. She obviously felt that she was a modern young woman and was impatient with tradition. I said, “But you are very traditional!” She was astonished! She said, “How can you say that?” And I said, “Because whenever we meet you want to shake hands!” And she replied, “But it’s only natural!
Some years ago I took a group of very friendly East European people to a small local concert.In fact,it was a parents'evening at a local school.The head teacher who enjoyed playing the piano,contributed to the evening's entertainment by playing music by Debussy. My visitors were very enthusiastic and began slow handclap to show their appreciation. Unfortunately,a slow handclap is an expression of disgust in Britain.This nonverbal language was completely misunderstood,and the evening. was rather difficult after that!
Some years ago I took a group of very friendly East European people to a small local concert. In fact, it was a parents’ evening at a local school. The head teacher who enjoyed playing the piano, contributed to the evening’s entertainment by playing music by Debussy. My visitors were very enthusiastic and began a slow handclap to show their appreciation. Unfortunately, a slow handclap is an expression of disgust in Britain. This nonverbal language was completely misunderstood, and the evening was rather difficult after that!