Active Skills for Reading Intro (Unit 6: Comparing Cultures)


CHAPTER 1 Table Manners

TABLE Manners

Table manners differ around the world. If you visit a friend's home for a meal, it's good to know about the customs they follow.

Morocco

If you are invited to a Moroccan's home, bring a gift of sweet pastries, nuts, figs, dates, or flowers to the hostess.

In many traditional homes, people often sit on the floor to eat a meal.

Often, everyone shares food from the same plate. The plate is put in the center of the table. Usually, everyone also drinks water !rom the same glass.

Only eat the food in front of you. Don't reach across someone for food.

It is common1 to use your fingers and small pieces of bread to eat food. Use only your right hand to eat.

Don't say "no" to food. If the host of the meal offers you food or drink, take some and try a little.

Also remember: In many Moroccan homes, it is common to take off your shoes.

Tanzania

Tanzania is known for its fresh fish and spices. Don't act scared if your meal comes with its head still on the plate.

It is polite to try a bite of everything. In many Tanzanian homes, people sit at a table on small stools to eat.

It is OK to eat with your right hand, using bread or chapati2 to pick up food. Everyone may take food from the same plate, but it is not usual for people to share drinks.

You may compliment the cook on a delicious meal, but don't exaggerate.3 In some parts of Tanzania, men and women will sit at different tables.

Also remember: It is common to take off your shoes in the home, but it is rude to show the bottom of your foot.

1 Something that is common is usual or often done.
2 Chapati is a kind of flat Indian bread.
3 If you exaggerate, you make something seem better, larger, worse, etc. than it really is.

Reading Comprehension - Check Your Understanding

A. Write the correct answers.

1. Why does the writer think it is good to know about customs in other countries?

a so you can learn the language
b so you can order food in a restaurant
c so you can act correctly

2. Which hand do you eat with in Morocco?

a your left hand
b your right hand
c both hands

3. In Morocco, how do people pick up their food?

a They use a cup.
b They use spoons.
c They use their hand.

4. Which of these should you NOT do in Tanzania?

a show the bottom of your foot
b eat with your hands
c take off your shoes

B. Read the sentences below. Write true (T), false (F), or not given (NG).

Sentence T/F/NG
1. In Morocco, people wash their hands after eating.
2. In Tanzania, people usually eat with a fork.
3. In Morocco, a plate with food is in the center of the table.
4. In Tanzania, it is polite to try any food that is offered to you.

Critical Thinking

  1. Look at the passage again. Which customs are the same in your country? Which are different?
  2. Are the table manners in your country more like Morocco's or Tanzania's?

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