Henry Hardcastle reviews Watching the English, by Kate Fox

Before reading Watching the English by Kate Fox, I had never really thought about how the English appear to other cultures. Despite feeling a little defensive at times, I was genuinely laughing out loud as I read this highly entertaining book, it looks at how the English behave and uncovers the hidden social rules that mystify foreign visitors. For example, how we behave on public transport. It’s OK to ask questions like “Is this train going to Victoria?” – but otherwise, talking to strangers on trains just isn’t done! In fact it’s absolutely normal for commuters to spend years travelling on the same train together without exchanging a single word.

Despite this, people standing at a bus stop will often feel a need to break an uncomfortable silence by talking about the weather, but here again potential embarrassment awaits the unsuspecting visitor! ‘Weather-speak’ usually starts with a question which invites the other person into a conversation: “Chilly, isn’t it?” But the hidden rule here is we have to agree. Disagreeing could cause offence and the conversation would probably come to a sudden end. The only way of stating our true feelings is first to agree – “Yes, it is, isn’t it” – and then we can add a personal comment – “but I quite like this kind of weather.”

Fox also looks at topics of conversation which the English aren’t comfortable with. For example, anyone asking personal questions may meet with some resistance. We are often uncomfortable with questions such as “How are you?” or “Are you married?” We also avoid talking about money, we dislike other people enquiring about what we earn or what we paid for something – that’s very personal information.

Once I’d finished reading Watching the English, I tried to view my own culture more objectively. It was fascinating. And I would certainly agree with Kate Fox’s conclusion that in spite of appearing cold and unfriendly (and often being told that we are) the English are, in fact, just very private people.

 

B) Read the review again. Tick the correct sentences. Correct the false ones.

 

1. English social codes are obvious to everyone.

2. People who commute together 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 mind talking about themselves to strangers.

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

Think about what you have discussed above. Has the article changed your opinion of the English in any way? Why? / Why not? Do people from your country behave in a similar way?

 

GRAMMAR

Ex. 5. A) Find the examples from the article.

We use verb + ing …

1. after prepositions.

2. after certain verbs + object.

3. as part of a continuous verb form.

4. after certain verbs.

5. after despite or in spite of.

6. as the subject (or part of the subject) of a verb.

7. in reduced relative clauses.

8. as an adjective.

 

 

B) Read another part of the article about Kate Fox’s book. Find and correct ten more mistakes.

 

The section of Kate Fox’s book explain the rules of queuing is interesting and the English obey these rules without think about it. Jump a queue will certainly annoy those people queue properly. However, despite feel intense anger towards the queue-jumper, the English will often say nothing – stare angrily is more their style.

 

Then there are the rules for say please and thank you. The English thank bus drivers, taxi drivers, anyone give them a service. In fact the English spend a lot of time say please and thank you so others don’t feel they’re being taken for granted. They hate not be thanked if they think they deserve it. Now say thank you will often cause an English person to sarcastically shout out, ‘You’re welcome!’.

C) Work in pairs. Compare answers. Explain why you have made each change.

 

WRITING

Ex. 6. Choose a country. Imagine a tourist is coming to this country. Write at least eight tips about the social codes in this country. Use these ideas or your own. Try to use a verb + ing form in each tip.

 

· Behavior on public transport

· Queuing

· Saying please and thank you

· Starting conversations

· Talking to strangers

· Talking loudly in public

· Subjects you shouldn’t talk about

· Things that might cause offence

· General behavior and good manners

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