Read the following text and do the tasks that follow.
It's really true what people say about English politeness: It's everywhere. When squeezing past someone on a narrow space, people say 'sorry'. When getting off a bus, English passengers say 'thank you' to the driver. In Germany, people would never dream of doing this: bus drivers are just doing their job! I used to think the German way; I was in Britain for a few years. I understood that there were more polite ways of treating people and I began to adopt some of those way too!
When people buy something in a shop, both customer and shop assistant usually thank each other twice or more. In Germany, it would be unusual to hear more than one 'thank you' in such a conversation. British students thank their lectures when leaving the room. English employers thank their employees for doing their jobs, but Germans think that paying their workers money is already thanks enough!
But there is another side to British politeness. One word that comes to mind here is 'artificial'. Although it is enjoyable to talk with friendly people, it has often made me wonder what the English really think. In fact, this confused me during my stay in England. Everyone at the University I attended seemed to like me and people in my class were kind and friendly but I found it hard to understand who my friend was really and who was just being polite.
I must say that British politeness is a little puzzling to me. For example, I often wonder why the English lose it when they drink too much. And then I think: maybe, drinking is good excuse for being rude once in a while. After all, having to be polite all the time can be stressful, right?
4.1 Match the meanings in column 'A' with the correct words in column 'B'. One word does not have a match.
| Column A | Column B |
|---|
| I. moving through a limited area | A. stressful |
| II. to take up or practice | B. excuse |
| III. deviating from commonness | C. friendly |
| IV. showing kindly interest and goodwill | D. adopt |
| V. full of mental or physical burden | E. squeezing |
| F. unusual |
4.2 Choose the correct alternative to answer the questions given below.
I. When do British people say 'sorry'?
A. when they get off the bus
B. when they find their way in the crowd
C. when they make mistakes
D. when they walk alone in a narrow space
II. Which of the following is TRUE about Germany?
A. Customers and sales assistants thank once only.
B. Customers and sales assistants thank twice or more.
C. Customers and sales assistants do not thank each other.
D. Customers and sales assistants are indifferent.
III. Why did the author change his mind when he spent time in Britain?
A. He learnt more ways of politeness.
B. He simply followed the British people.
C. He did not like the British people.
D. He liked the British way of politeness.
IV. What does the word 'artificial' in the third paragraph signify?
A. Politeness is just a show off.
B. Politeness is real.
C. Politeness helps make more friends.
D. Politeness is enjoyable.
V. What did the author use to think about politeness?
A. It is required.
B. It is not required.
C. It is a way of life.
D. It is a must.
4.3 Answer the following questions.
I. What do German people think about bus drivers?
II. Are British customers polite to the shop assistants? Give a reason.
III. Why do German employers not thank their employees?
IV. Why was the author confused during his stay in England?
V. When do British people not become polite?
