What are the customs in Britain and America?

Hello! British and American customs, various daily expressions

Language is the carrier of culture and the tool of people's daily communication. Due to the influence of geography and history, people in different countries and regions have different ways of thinking and behavior habits, forming different cultural customs. As the saying goes, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." Both English learners and people who work in English must know some British and American customs and daily expressions. On the contrary, just memorizing some expressions and mining grammar rules or reading business will only be self-defeating. In order to help middle school English teachers and students learn the new SEFC textbook better and master the essence of English, the following will briefly summarize the British and American customs and daily expressions related to the new textbook.

I. Meeting and Farewell

Greetings: When people you know meet, they always greet each other. The most common courtesy in China is "Have you eaten?" The intention of saying this is just to say hello. It doesn't matter whether you eat or not. But if you say to the British and Americans, "Have you eaten?" They will think that you want to invite him to dinner, or that you care too much about eating. Westerners only say "hello, hi" or "good morning" when they meet. If you want to talk more, you can talk about the weather, traffic conditions or issues of common interest. British and American people respect the privacy of others, especially young ladies, so now there is Ms (Ms, whether married or not). It is impolite to ask "how old", "are you married" and "what's your salary" as soon as you meet.

Everyday language:

1. Nice to meet you.

2. Haven't seen you for a while?

Good morning/afternoon/evening.

How are you? Fine, thank you. 5. Hello

Talking about the weather: When you first meet the British and Americans, talking about the weather is the best topic. Because the weather in Britain is changeable, British people especially like to talk about the weather. When people talk about the weather, they often not only talk about the weather, but also add some personal feelings and comments. In fact, British and American people seldom talk about the weather for the sake of talking about it, but use it to lead to other topics.

Everyday language:

1. What's the weather like today? The weather is fine/cloudy/windy/rainy.

2. Does it rain much here?

It looks as if it is going to rain.

4. What's the temperature today?

Introduction: Whether introducing yourself or introducing a third party to each other, always address others. In Britain and America, it is impolite to call others by their first names or talk frankly about their affairs. Usually, they are preceded by titles or titles, such as …, sir …, madam …, miss …, professor …, doctor …, captain …; Generally speaking, introduce young people with low status to older and respectable people first; Between the host and the guest, introduce the guest first. In addition, Britain and the United States advocate "ladies first". If one of the two parties is a woman, it is usually the man who introduces the woman first.

Everyday language:

1. This is Mr./Mrs./Miss/Comrade …

2. May I introduce someone? /I am personally interested in ...

3. I want to meet …

I have heard a lot about you.

Farewell: China people often say "I wasted a lot of your time ... I wasted a lot of your time" when saying goodbye, but the traditions in Britain and the United States are different from those in China. If a person wants to leave, but doesn't want to interrupt the interest of everyone and his host, then he should say politely, "Well, I'm afraid I have to go now." If he wants to leave after dinner, he should also say "thank you for the wonderful dinner". In addition, foreigners are not used to seeing people off, unlike China people, it is polite to send them a distance, and the guests say it repeatedly.

Everyday language:

1. Good night and sweet dreams.

I want to say goodbye to everyone.

3. Nice to meet you.

Hope to see you again.

Two. Appointments and invitations

Appointment mainly refers to medical or business appointment. In western countries, it is often necessary to make an appointment in advance to do something and meet someone. When making an official or business visit to a stranger, it is very important to make an appointment, usually by letter, telephone or in person. Because in the modern high-paced life, everyone has his own timetable, and uninvited guests often make the host feel at a loss and have to change the original plan. If you can't keep the appointment for some reason after the appointment, you must inform the other party as soon as possible and make another appointment.

Everyday language:

1. Are you free this afternoon?

How about tomorrow morning?

Shall we meet at ...?

4. Does it suit you?

5. Any time is fine.

6. Can we meet earlier/later?

Invitation: Westerners often invite others, especially those who are not very close, in advance to prepare them. Invitations can be sent in writing or orally. The wording depends on the distance between the invited person and you, and you can be casual with people who are close and familiar. When you are invited, you should explain the reason to the other party, because you have something to do, lest the other party mistakenly think that you don't want to associate with him.

Everyday language:

1. Will you come to ...?

2. Do you want to …?

I'd like to invite you to …

Are you free this afternoon?

May I see you at four o'clock?

6. Be sure to come.

Third, express gratitude and apology.

Thank you: In Britain and America, the word "thank you" is very common. As long as others help you or disturb others, you should always say "thank you". Even between husband and wife or between brothers and sisters. Unlike people in China, it's a bit strange to say "thank you" between people who seem very close. Say "thank you" after someone answers your question in public; When others praise your beautiful clothes and jewelry, you should express gratitude, not embarrassment or opposition; When a man praises a lady for her beauty, she should say "thank you" generously instead of blushing or doubting her. Don't forget to say thank you when attending a friend's party or a dinner party.

Everyday language:

1. Thank you very much.

You are so thoughtful.

It's very kind of you.

It's no trouble at all.

5. Forget it.

6. it doesn't matter.

7. You're welcome.

Apologize: In our daily life, people will inevitably make such mistakes. Therefore, "excuse me" or "excuse me" has become an indispensable everyday expression. Proper use of these everyday expressions can resolve contradictions and make the relationship between people more harmonious. The word "sorry" is often used in English. However, it is worth noting that whether apologizing to others or answering others' apologies, we should pay attention to the consistency of language and expression so as not to make people feel duplicity.

Everyday language:

1. Oh, please forgive me.

2. I'm sorry …

Forgive me for being late.

I apologize for my mistake.

I didn't mean to hurt you.

6. Forget it.

7. Not at all. 8. it doesn't matter.

Four. Questions and answers

In daily life, people always ask others what they don't know or know. For example, ask the other person's opinion or opinion on something, ask the way, ask the date, time, etc. In the fiercely competitive western society, people have a strong sense of time. They don't like beating around the bush when they talk or do things, but prefer to be straightforward. Pronunciation should be clear when asking questions, and ask questions directly. When asking for directions or time, you often use "I'm sorry" in front. Pay attention to choosing the right time when asking people. If you disturb others when they are busy or in a bad mood, you may not get a satisfactory answer. In addition, westerners have a strong sense of space. When strangers get too close to them, they will feel uncomfortable and even feel threatened. Therefore, when you ask questions, you should keep a certain distance from each other.

1. Ask for directions:

(1) Excuse me. Can you tell me the way to …?

(2) How can I get …

Go along this street.

(4) Turn right/left at the first/second intersection.

(5) It's about …

Go straight ahead until you see …

2. Ask time or date:

(1) What day is it today?

What's the date today?

(3) What time is it?

Excuse me, what time is it by your watch?

Today is Monday/Tuesday, and so on.

It's time for ...

3. Ask for advice: People have different views and opinions on all kinds of things. If you agree or like it, you can directly answer "Yes, of course." "I am interested in ...; They are great or I prefer ... "and so on. But when expressing disagreement and dislike, we should pay attention to the tone and avoid being too straight, so as not to hurt others' feelings. Sometimes you can change the subject, so that you can express your dislike to each other and give them a step down.

(1) What do you think …

What do you think of ...

(3) How did you?

That's true.

That's a good idea.

Sorry, I'm afraid I can't agree with you.

I like/enjoy …

I'm afraid I don't like …

Verb (abbreviation for verb) Entertainment, diet and health care.

Entertainment: Britain and America are typical capitalist countries. People are more open-minded and have a faster pace of life. After intense work, people always like to entertain themselves in various ways. In addition to traveling on weekends and holidays, people often go in and out of bars and dance halls after work, but children and minors are generally not allowed to enter bars. However, Westerners, like people in China, watch TV at night is the most important entertainment. Especially in the United States, there are 65.438+0.5 billion TV sets, with an average of less than two people. Americans' enthusiasm for television is unmatched by other countries; American TV programs are as varied and mixed as American society. There are movies that reflect literature, history, science and technology, art and so on, as well as so-called "exciting" programs that promote fighting, alcoholism, murder and pornography.

Everyday expressions related to watching TV:

1. Is there anything worth watching on the other channel?

2. I think there is a movie ... on.

Do you know what will happen next?

Let me look at the TV guide first.

Please turn it up/down.

Diet: There is a saying in the west: We eat to live, not live to eat ... Therefore, westerners attach great importance to nutrition and the content of fat and cholesterol in food. And we in China pay attention to color, fragrance and taste, and pay more attention to the taste when eating. Westerners, because of their busy work, advocate eating well, but eating simply. Usually there are only one or two dishes for dinner, and only three or four dishes for dinner. This is different from people in China. People in China always spend a lot of time preparing many dishes when they treat guests. When westerners are guests, they are used to eating all the meals cooked by their hosts, which shows that guests like to eat the meals cooked by their hosts. If you prepare too many meals, it will embarrass the guests. In addition, when eating, the host should not blindly persuade the guests to eat more, or put the dishes on the guests' plates.

Everyday language:

1. What do you want?

Would you like something to eat/drink?

Please help yourself to something …

Thank you, I'm full.

5. No, thanks. /Please give me some.

I'm full, thank you.

Health care: British and Americans attach great importance to their health and always say "take care of yourself". The medical conditions in Britain and America are very good. There are many private clinics, public clinics, hospitals and medical emergency centers. Many British and American people have their own family doctors, who know the health of the person in charge like the palm of their hand and can find some diseases of these people in time. In the west, when you go to the hospital, you must state your illness to the doctor, let the doctor make a judgment, and you can't prescribe medicine yourself. If you act on your own, the doctor will think that you don't respect him. In addition, when caring about the health of others, we should also pay attention to the habits of westerners. Don't always say "be careful, a minor illness will become a major illness if it is not cured" or "put on more clothes ..." It is not advisable to give too many gifts when visiting patients. Westerners are used to sending flowers or sympathy cards to patients.

Ask about health and see a doctor;

1. You look a little pale.

I hope you get well soon.

I haven't been feeling well recently.

4. Have a good rest.

There is something wrong with ...

6.i have a cough/headache.

7. I feel terrible

8. I have pain here.

Take this medicine three times a day.

10. Nothing serious.

Borrowing books and shopping

Britain and America are both developed countries, and there are many large libraries and shops in China. In the library, you can find books through the information desk or computer. Reading in the library requires keeping quiet, caring for books, and forbidding smoking or eating. In addition to large-scale and luxuriously decorated chain stores and some group companies, there are also some supermarkets, medium-sized grocery stores and couples' shops. In Britain and America, people work five days a week, while shops are open for six or five and a half days. Except the shops in Chinatown, they have holidays on Sundays. People regard weekends as shopping days and drive to the streets to buy daily necessities and food for a whole week.

Daily expressions of librarians and shop assistants:

1. Can I help you?

2. What can I do for you?

3. What can I do for you?

Library customer language:

1. What are the opening and closing hours of the library?

2. Is the library open on weekends?

3. How long can I keep it?

I want to keep it for another two weeks.

I want to keep this book for another week.

Store customer language:

1. I want/I want …

2. How much is it? What is the price of/?

I'm afraid that's too expensive.

4. What color/size/kind do you want?

5. Show me something else.