IN THIS LESSON, YOU WILL
2. Read an article written by a Canadian who’s in a successful relationship with an Italian woman.
3. Give some advice to your friend on how to do better on his/her next date.
PRACTICE
STEP A EXERCISE
Choose the sentences that best match the bold sentences.
1. She’s exasperated by her boyfriend’s addiction to mobile games.
- She’s used to her boyfriend’s addiction to mobile games.
- She’s frustrated with her boyfriend’s addiction to mobile games.
2. The government aims to crack down on illegal gambling.
- The government aims to be tougher on illegal gambling.
- The government aims to encourage illegal gambling.
3. It’s a big no-no to wear sleeveless clothes when inside an Italian church.
- It’s sometimes okay to wear sleeveless clothes when inside an Italian church.
- It’s unacceptable to wear sleeveless clothes when inside an Italian church.
4. I need to dress to impress for her to notice me.
- I need to dress simply for her to notice me.
- I need to dress well for her to notice me.
5. Lyn can’t help but gesticulate every time she talks.
- Lyn can’t help but speak loudly every time she talks.
- Lyn can’t help but make gestures every time she talks.
STEP B EXERCISE
Are the underlined expressions used correctly? If not, change the sentences.
- Spitting is a faux pas here! You’ll see people do it everywhere.
- The principal promised to stamp out cheating on exams. He said the school would allow students to bring their cellphones into the classroom.
- I never judge a book by its cover. I believe that I can’t gauge people’s personalities just by looking at them.
- Jana took my joke as an insult. She liked it.
- Responding to party invitations is a common courtesy whether you’re coming or not. I think all people should do it.
MISSION
Challenge 1
You and your friend, a fellow intern at an Italian company, are sightseeing at the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Chat with him/her as you walk around the area.
Remember?
- a big no-no
- stamp out something
- crack down on something
- an insult
- a faux pas
- the way someone carries oneself
- dress to impress
- judge a book by its cover
Don't forget to speak your mind!
- If I were you, I would…
- When it comes to …, …
- Like it or not, …
- Interestingly enough, …
 |
Challenge 2
While reading the local newspaper for expats, you came across an interesting article about dating a local. Read it.
Remember?
- a negative connotation
- gesticulate
- a faux pas
- a big no-no
- crack down on something
- dress to impress
- judge a book by its cover
Loving and learning
How my Italian girlfriend taught me so much about my new country
by Billy Jade
Sitting just inside the Colosseum, I was about to bite into my peanut butter sandwich when a tour guide asked me to put it away. She explained that the police had been cracking down on people eating at historic sites. I smiled, tucked the sandwich into my backpack, and pulled out a pen to get her phone number. The next day, I took her out to lunch, and we’ve been dating ever since.
No peanut butter sandwiches at the Colosseum was the first lesson Mia taught me, but it wasn’t the last. I’ve learned so much in the year that we’ve been together, and I decided to write this article to share my new knowledge with other expats.
One of the first things Mia taught me was to be careful with my gestures. Personally, I like to gesticulate, so I thought that coming to Italy would be perfect for me. Well, I was wrong! While drinking with Mia at a bar, I made the mistake of copying a gesture I had seen earlier and almost got into a fight with a stranger. Luckily, Mia was able to explain that it was all just a simple misunderstanding. Here in Italy, many gestures have negative connotations, so it’s important to learn what they mean before trying to use them.
Another thing Mia taught me was that it’s a big no-no to go out underdressed. I used to just go out in old jeans because I didn’t place much importance on fashion – never judge a book by its cover, right? Well, Mia explained to me that you should always dress to impress because you never know who you’re going to run into.
Like many Italians, Mia is also very strict about the “right” way to eat Italian food. Did you know that it’s a faux pas to cut long strands of pasta with a knife? Someone should tell my mom that back in Canada! Anyway, table manners here may seem a bit weird to many expats, but like it or not, they can be the difference between a good date and a bad date!
Do you want your own Mia? Well, listen to her advice on how to be more like an Italian, and you just may find one!
Challenge 3
Your friend went on a date with the person he/she had a crush on, but it did not go well at all. Discuss some possible reasons why the date went wrong and give suggestions on how your friend can do better next time.
Remember?
- a negative connotation
- an insult
- gesticulate
- a faux pas
- a common courtesy
- a big no-no
- the way someone carries oneself
- dress to impress
- judge a book by its cover
Don't forget to speak your mind!
- If I were you, I would…
- Interestingly enough, …
- When it comes to …, …
- Like it or not, …
FEEDBACK
Explain Italian etiquette to your friend to improve his/her chances of finding a boyfriend/girlfriend.
MISSION ACHIEVEMENT
-
4
Very GoodCould complete the task with ease
-
3
GoodCould complete the task with some clarifications
-
2
FairCould complete the task with additional instructions
-
1
PoorCould somehow complete the task with difficulty
PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK
- RANGE
the ability to use a wide variety of vocabulary - ACCURACY
the ability to speak correctly - FLUENCY
the ability to speak smoothly without pauses or fillers - INTERACTION
the ability to manage a conversation
