The Warehouse Madrid Upper-Intermediate Class Codes of Conduct The Warehouse Madrid Upper-Intermediate Class

Take (expressions) Take a long time Take a lot of risks Take something too seriously Take advice from somebody Take someone for granted Take responsibility for something Take notice of someone/something Take time (to do something) Take sides (in arguments)

Do you know English people? Where and how did you meet them? What are they like? Use four adjectives to describe English people. Proper Shy Clever Opinionated

Are the English friendly? After reading the article “Watching the English”, do you think that Kate Walsh thinks that the English are friendly or unfriendly? Why?

#2 English codes aren’t obvious to everyone. People who commute together don’t often become friends. Weather speak is a common way of starting a conversation with strangers. You should always agree with the person’s opinion about the weather. English people don’t like talking about themselves to strangers. It’s impolite to ask English people about money.

Verb+ ing As part of a continuous verb form: As an Englishman, I was laughing out loud… She was riding her bike when the car honked at her. Where is Greg? He’s taking a shower.

Verb + ing After prepositions Apart from asking for information… Besides flirting with my sister, he ate all my wedding cake!

Verb + ing After certain verbs: We also avoid talking about money. He loves asking people for directions. She enjoys travelling.

Verb + ing As an adjective: This highly entertaining book looks at… She’s rather boring, isn’t she?

Verb + ing In reduced relative clauses People standing at a bus stop will often break an uncomfortable silence by… Gliding down the amazon river in a kayak, you’ll soon fall in love with South America.

Verb + ing Despite In spit of Despite asking her to stay and give them another chance, she left without even saying goodbye. In spite of wanting a new wardrobe, she opted for wearing her clothes from last Fall again.

Verb + ing As the subject of a verb Talking to strangers on trains just isn’t done. Riding a bus for 8 hours can be uncomfortable.

Verb + ing After these verbs: Hear See Watch Feel Imagine Stop Love Like Don’t mind Dislike Hate

Verb + ing As a noun Reading Playing football Cooking Drawing Running Cycling

Verb + ing After fixed phrases There’s no point in It’s a waster of time It’s not worth It’s no use There’s no point in telling her, she’ll just get upset.

#5 The section of Kate Fox’s book explaining the rules of queuing is fascinating and the English obey these rules without thinking about it. Jumping a queue will certainly annoy those people queuing properly. However despite feeling intense anger towards the queue jumper, the English will often say nothing – staring angrily is more their style. Then there are the rules for saying please and thank you. The English thank bus drivers, taxi drivers, anyone giving them a service.

#5 In fact the English spend a lot of time saying please and thank you, and they hate not being thanked if they think they deserve it. Not saying thank you will often cause a person to sarcastically shout out, “You’re welcome!”.

#6 I can’t stand people cutting in front of me in Passport Control. Taking a nap is the best way to relax. I think cycling is really fun. I’m going to the beach next week. I think football is exciting at times, but can be really boring. I really enjoy doing yoga. I’m thinking of learning how to paint next year. I spend a lot of time cleaning my house.

Social Codes in the USA In NYC, staring at someone on the subway could get you into trouble. Queuing or “waiting in line” is absolutely necessary. It’s considered very rude to cut in line. In spite of appearing like an “everything goes” country, there are dress codes in some social situations, like weddings, church and the golf course! We don’t appreciate people not saying “please and thank you”. In fact, like the English, we expect it. Talking to strangers is more acceptable in the U.S. than in England, I suppose. Talking to strange children is a big NO NO, however.

Social Codes in the USA Talking loudly in public is not as looked down upon as in England, but you can get a dirty glare or even a confrontation. Some subjects are very taboo in the USA. Talking about religion, politics and race with a coworker is usually frowned upon, unless you’ve known them for years and are already familiar with their views. We’re a very PC country. Farting in public or burping in a restaurant might cause offense. Not leaving a tip at a restaurant is definitely offensive towards the server and the restaurant.