EFE learning modules / Culture, Etiquette & Politeness

scenario 2 sarah a cultural consultant is coachin

Scenario Context

"Sarah, a cultural consultant, is coaching Ken, a businessman, on how to navigate social manners and respectful language before his international business trip."

Speakers
S

Sarah

An experienced cultural consultant who specializes in international etiquette and communication styles.

K

Ken

A beginner in international travel who is eager to learn how to be polite and avoid social mistakes abroad.

The Dialogue

Tap highlighted words to view vocabulary cards below.

Sarah
Hi Ken! Are you ready to discuss the for your upcoming trip?
Ken
I think so, but I am actually quite nervous about making a mistake.
Sarah
That is normal. Understanding social manners is the first step to feeling confident.
Ken
What is the most important thing I should know about being polite?
Sarah
The key is to observe and use respectful language whenever possible.
Ken
Does every country have different rules for politeness?
Sarah
Yes, cultural norms vary significantly. What is polite in one place might be rude in another.
Ken
Could you give me an example of a common ?
Sarah
In some cultures, arriving exactly on time is expected, while in others, it is considered too early.
Ken
So, is a matter of culture then?
Sarah
Exactly. It is a very important part of social .
Ken
What about greetings? Should I always shake hands?
Sarah
Not always. Some cultures prefer a bow, while others prefer a light nod.
Ken
I am worried I might say something too and offend someone.
Sarah
It is best to avoid personal questions about money or politics during a first meeting.
Ken
Is it to bring a gift when visiting someone's home?
Sarah
Usually, yes. It is a sign of and appreciation.
Ken
Should the gift be expensive?
Sarah
Not necessarily. It is the gesture that counts most.
Ken
If someone gives me a gift, should I immediately?
Sarah
You can send a thank-you note or return the favor at a later date.
Ken
What if the language they use is very formal?
Sarah
You should match their level of to show respect.
Ken
I find some social cues to be very .
Sarah
That happens. If you are unsure, it is okay to ask politely for clarification.
Ken
Is eye contact always a good thing?
Sarah
In many Western cultures, yes. But in some Eastern cultures, direct eye contact can be seen as aggressive.
Ken
I see. There are so many details to remember.
Sarah
Just be patient with yourself and stay observant.
Ken
Thank you, Sarah. I feel much more prepared now.
Sarah
You are welcome. Enjoy your trip and the new experiences!
Ken
I will make sure to practice everything we discussed.

Scene Vocabulary

Practice vocabulary words & meanings.

Etiquette

/ኤቲኬት/

ስነ-ምግባር

The customary code of polite behavior in society.

በማህበረሰቡ ውስጥ የተለመደው የጨዋነት ባህሪ ደንብ።

Faux pas

/ፎ ፓ/

ማህበራዊ ስህተት

An embarrassing or tactless act or remark in a social situation.

በማህበራዊ ሁኔታ ውስጥ ያለ አሳፋሪ ወይም ዘዴ የሌለው ድርጊት ወይም ንግግር።

Hospitality

/ሆስፒታሊቲ/

እንግዳ ተቀባይነት

The friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests.

እንግዶችን በደስታና በቸርነት መቀበልና ማስተናገድ።

Customary

/ካስተመሪ/

ልማዳዊ

According to the customs or usual practices associated with a particular society.

ከአንድ የተወሰነ ማህበረሰብ ጋር የተያያዙ ልማዶች ወይም የተለመዱ አሰራሮች መሠረት።

Reciprocate

/ሪሲፕሮኬት/

ምላሽ መስጠት

Respond to a gesture or action by making a corresponding one.

ለአንድ ድርጊት ተመጣጣኝ የሆነ ምላሽ መስጠት።

Formality

/ፎርማሊቲ/

ስርዓት

The rigid observance of rules of convention or etiquette.

የልማድ ወይም የስነ-ምግባር ደንቦችን በጥብቅ መከተል።

Inquisitive

/ኢንክዊዚቲቭ/

ጠያቂ

Curious or inquiring, sometimes excessively so.

ነገር ለማወቅ የሚጓጓ ወይም ጥያቄ የሚያበዛ።

Punctuality

/ፓንክቿሊቲ/

ሰዓት አክባሪነት

The characteristic of being able to complete a required task or fulfill an obligation before or at a previously designated time.

የተሰጠውን ተግባር አስቀድሞ በተወሰነው ሰዓት የመፈጸም ባህሪ።

Protocol

/ፕሮቶኮል/

የስነ-ስርዓት ደንብ

The official procedure or system of rules governing affairs of state or diplomatic occasions.

የመንግስት ጉዳዮችን ወይም ዲፕሎማሲያዊ ሁኔታዎችን የሚመራ ይፋዊ የአሰራር ሂደት ወይም የደንቦች ስርዓት።

Ambiguous

/አምቢግየስ/

አሻሚ

Open to more than one interpretation; not having one obvious meaning.

ከአንድ በላይ ትርጉም ሊኖረው የሚችል፤ ግልጽ ያልሆነ።