Unit XXXII Social Customs

How many people, whether on business abroad or merely touring, have unknowingly insulted their clients, hosts, local shopkeepers, or a complete stranger on the bus? A quick read of our guide below will help you to conform to social norms and make a positive impression.

First, behaving in the same way that you would at home can land you in fairly serious trouble. In England, it is standard practice to take wine to a dinner party, but the same does not apply in France. To do so would suggest your host is unable to choose or afford a good bottle. If you are doing business in Turkey, be careful who you speak to first. Age is seen as evidence of wisdom and therefore you should start with the oldest person in the room. Some Turkish people also consider it disrespectful for young people to cross their legs in front of older people, something most westerners wouldn't even think about.

In some countries, your body language may be unwittingly offensive. Do not pat girls or boys on the head in Thailand as this is considered the most sacred part of the body, and make sure the soles of your feet are not on display in Arab countries. It is important to bow lower than your seniors or elders in Japan, and elderly members of Maori tribes in New Zealand would find your bottom resting on a table or desk to be extremely disrespectful.

As for everyday behaviour on the street, if you have a cold, turn away from others and use your tissues discreetly in Germany. Never step over a coin or a note in Thailand. These bear the image of the king and are therefore deserving of respect.

When you are indoors, don't light up in Canada without first asking permission, and in Arab countries, it would be unthinkable to walk into a house with footwear on.

Post-reading tasks

Answer the questions as quickly as possible.

In which country/countries should you

1. hide the bottom of your feet?

2. ask if it is OK to smoke inside?

3. avoid walking over money?

4. avoid sitting on tables?

5. avoid touching someone's head?

6. speak to the oldest person first in a business meeting?

7. avoid taking wine to dinner parties?

8. avoid crossing your legs in front of older people?

9. remove your shoes before entering a house?

10. blow your nose privately?

Unit XXXIII Super Size Me

In 2004, American independent film-maker Morgan Spurlock released Super Size Me, a feature-length documentary that attacked the fast-food industry and specifically McDonald's. The title comes from McDonald's former policy of encouraging customers to buy the largest size of whatever they ordered from the menu, which Spurlock regarded as one of the factors contributing to the obesity epidemic in children and adults sweeping the United States.

The documentary largely took the form of an experiment in which Spurlock aimed to eat only McDonald's food three times a day for thirty days. At the outset of the film, he weighed a healthy 185.51 pounds, but gained 24.5 pounds by the end of the month. During this time, he experienced mood swings, sexual dysfunction, and severe liver damage, to the extent that his doctor insisted he return to a normal diet immediately. Spurlock also suffered depression, lethargy and headaches, and found to his horror that these could be relieved by eating more McDonald's food. In other words, he had become addicted to its high sugar and casein content.

The film was nominated for an Academy Award and was one of the highest-earning documentaries in the US that year. The McDonald's Corporation, however, was not amused and set up a website (www.supersizeme-thedebate.co.uk) to dispute Spurlock's claims. At the same time, it also discontinued its Super Size policy, but denied it had anything to do with the film.

Post-reading tasks

Answer the questions as quickly possible.

1. Morgan Spurlock called his film Super Size Me as a reference to

1. the fact that he had enjoyed fast food meals since childhood.

2. the way that McDonald's persuaded people to buy large portions.

3. the trend in the US for people to be overweight.

2. The effects of just eating fast food led Morgan Spurlock to experience

1. certain psychological problems.

2. a change in attitude towards the fast food industry.

3. doubts about continuing the experiment.

3. According to the writer, what happened after the film was released?

1. Morgan Spurlock acknowledged that parts of his film were misleading.

2. The McDonald's Corporation was forced to admit that its Super Size policy was wrong.

3. US cinemas sold a large number of tickets for Super Size Me.