Answer the following questions about the interview:

1) What place does Jonathan call home? a) Toronto; b) All of Canada; c) Nowhere

2) Why does Jonathan go to Mexico? a) To avoid winter; b) To visit family; c) For work

3) How does he describe his life? a) The Jet Set; b) A basic existence; c) Wild and crazy

4) Where is he going next? a) Back to Canada; b) To start a new job; c) He is still unsure

Discussion

1. What city feels most like your home?

2. Does a life of traveling appeal to you?

3. Do you think that you could “live out of a suitcase”?

4. Would you rather save up and spend a lot of money on a short vacation or take a longer, simpler trip?

5. Do you think that you would ever get tired of traveling?

6. What was the most interesting place you have ever visited?

7. What countries would you like to visit? Why?

8. Would you like to visit Canada? Why?

СРС 29

British Traditions and Customs

Read and translate the text and speak on these traditions and customs

What is family life like in Britain?

The family in Britain is changing. The once typical British family headed by two parents has undergone substantial changes during the twentieth century. In particular there has been a rise in the number of single-person households. In the past, people got married and stayed married. Today, people’s views on marriage are changing. Many couples, mostly in their twenties or thirties, live together without getting married. People are generally getting married at a later age now and many women do not want to have children immediately. They prefer to concentrate on their jobs and put off having a baby until late thirties.

How to greet someone in Britain

A handshake is the most common form of greeting among the English and British people and is customary when you are introduced to somebody new.

The usual formal greeting is a 'How do you do?' and a firm handshake, but with a lighter touch between men and women. ‘How do you do?’ is a greeting not a question and the correct response is to repeat ‘How do you do?' You say this when shaking hands with someone. 'How are you?' is a question and the most common and polite response is "I am fine thank you and you?" Nice to meet you – Nice to meet you, too. (Often said whilst shaking hands). Delighted to meet you – Delighted to meet you, too. Glad to meet you - Glad to meet you, too. Informal greetings: Hi - Hi or hello; morning / afternoon / evening ( We drop the word 'Good' in informal situations). How's you? - Fine thanks. You? Thank you / thanks / cheers. We sometime say 'cheers' instead of thank you. You may hear 'cheers' said instead of 'good bye', what we are really saying is 'thanks and bye'.

Superstitions in Britain

Superstitions can be defined as “irrational beliefs, especially with regard to the unknown”.

General Superstitions:

- Good Luck: Lucky is to meet a black cat. Black cats are featured on many good luck greetings cards and birthday cards in England. Lucky is to find a clover plant with four leaves. A horseshoe over the door brings good luck. But the horseshoe needs to be the right way up. The luck runs out of the horseshoe if it is upside down. Catch falling leaves in autumn and you will have good luck. Every leaf means a lucky month next year. Cut your hair when the moon is waxing and you will have good luck. Putting money in the pocket of new clothes brings you good luck.

- Bad Luck: Unlucky is to spill salt. If you do, you must throw it over your shoulder to counteract the bad luck. The number thirteen is unlucky. Friday the thirteenth is a very unlucky day. Friday is considered to be an unlucky day because Jesus was crucified on Friday. Unlucky is to put new shoes on the table.

Other Superstitions:

When finished eating a boiled egg, push the spoon through the bottom of the empty shell to let the devil out. If you drop a table knife expect a male visitor, if you drop a fork a female visitor. In some parts of the UK meeting two or three ravens together is considered really bad. It is believed if ravens leave the Tower of London then the crown of England will be lost. In some areas black rabbits are thought to host the souls of human beings. White rabbits are said to be really witches and some believe that saying “White Rabbit” on the first day of each months brings luck. For good luck the bride should wear something borrowed, something blue, something old and something new.