Activity 1: https://create.kahoot.

it/details/culture-around-the-world/27699bb4-9dd1-4a1c-8408-
80ec1b3ba32b quiz matching

Activity 2: Discussion: True or False and why?

Read the ten statements below and write either TRUE or FALSE in the box.
HINT: Two of the statements are false. Discuss with your group members to find out which
statements are true or false.

1. In Japan, it is considered rude to bow or give a speech with your hands in your pockets.

2. In France, it is considered bad luck to wear black on Christmas Day.

3. If you nod your head in Greece, it means ‘no’.

4. In Russia on New Year’s Day, everyone should wear something red for luck.

5. You shouldn’t touch people on the head in Thailand.

6. In Britain, it is considered rude to slurp your tea or coffee.

7. In Singapore, it is not considered rude to slurp your noodles.

8. It is bad luck to give an even number of flowers in Austria.

9. In Belgium, you should kiss friends three times when you meet them.

10. In Spain, it is normal to eat dinner at ten or eleven o’clock at night.

Activity 3: Culture and gifts/ Birthdays around the world

3.1 Culture and gifts Read this information about giving gifts in various
countries

Business acquaintances do not exchange gifts at Christmas, but usually

send each other Christmas cards. People usually give a small gift such as
a bottle of wine, flowers, or chocolates if they are invited to someone’s
home.
An employee who is retiring, getting married or having a child will
usually receive gifts from their colleagues. In some multinational
companies, there are strict policies in place about giving or receiving gifts
at work.

Gifts are not given unless a relationship with the person has been
established. Gifts that may be misinterpreted as a bribe are unwelcome
 Giving gifts is an important social act. An employee usually brings
back inexpensive gifts for colleagues after a vacation. In business
and daily lift, gifts are not opened in the presence of the giver. If you
receive a wrapped gift, set it aside until the giver leaves.

 Work with a partner or in small groups. Discuss these

questions:
1. Which country above has a similar custom of giving gifts as in Viet
Nam?
2. Do you ever give gifts to clients/customers/ your boss? If yes, on what
occasion do you do so?
3. Is gift-giving an important part of doing business? Why or Why not?
4. Is it OK for clients to receive expensive gifts from a company?
4. What kind of gifts would you take and accept if you were a foreigner
to Vietnam on a business trip?
3.2 Read about birthdays around the world and answer the
questions.

In Denmark, people put a flag outside their window to

show that somebody in the house is having a birthday.
The family put presents around the child’s bed when he is
sleeping. When the child wakes up, he is very happy
because he can see the presents.
In Nepal, people make a special mark on the child’s forehead.
The mark is made from a mixture of rice, yoghurt and colouring.
People think that the mark will bring good luck on their birthday.

In Vietnam, people don’t celebrate the exact day of

their birthday. Everybody celebrates their birthday on the
same day – New Year’s Day. On the first morning of
the New Year, parents give their children red
envelopes. Inside the envelope, there is “lucky money”.

In England, when it’s your birthday, your friends will

sometimes give you the ‘bumps’. They lift you up and down
in the air by your hands and feet, one time for each year
and one extra for good luck.

In Hungary, everyone pulls on the earlobes

of the birthday person and says a little
rhyme.
The rhyme means "God bless you, live so
long that your ears reach your ankles".

In Canada, the birthday child is caught by his friends and his

nose is greased with butter for good luck. The greased nose
makes the child too slippery for bad luck to catch him.
1. What do people in Nepal use to make a mark on the forehead of
the birthday child?

2. John is from England. He’s 16 years old today. How many bumps
does he get?

3. What do Vietnamese people put inside the red envelope?

4. In what country do people celebrate their birthday on the first

day of the year?

5. What do Canadians put on a child’s nose on his birthday?