American Сulture. Жукова Е.Ф. - 44 стр.

ERIC:          I don’t understand. I took three killer courses and none of my teachers
               graded on a curve. I pulled all-nighters and did mega homework
               assignments. Besides, D is passing.
DIRECTOR: Yes, It is passing. But it indicates that the student does not know the

               material well. A student may receive a D in one course, and if all the
               other grades are good, he or she ill be allowed to take an academic
               course or move to the next level. However, you received a D in all of
               your courses. Under the circumstances, I cannot let you move to the next
               level or take any academic courses.
ERIC:          That’s not fair. I don’t understand. I passed everything. You just don’t
               like me because I’m not a data brain and I refuse to be a brown-nose.
DIRECTOR: That isn’t so. Liking you has nothing to do with it. You will have to do

               better next semester.

D.       Mindy had heard when she was in her home country that American teachers
are very relaxed., that they tell jokes and call students by their name. She had also
heard that teachers dress informally. She thought it would be fun to study in the
United States, but she wasn’t prepared for what happened to her the first week in
class.
         On her first day at school, Mindy was surprised to see her teacher sitting on the
desk. Her teacher told the students her name was Barbara and when Mindy said,
“Miss Barbara, what is the homework assignment?” Barbara laughed and said, “My
first name is Barbara. I am Barbara Kelly. Just call me Barbara. We never use Mr.,
Miss, Mrs. With a first name.” Everyone laughed. Mindy felt uncomfortable.
         The next day they were talking about differences between cultures. Each
student had to tell something that he or she would never say when meeting people for
the first time.
         One student, Ann, said that she would never ask people how old they were.
Another student, Jennifer, said she wouldn’t ask people how money they made. Then
the teacher asked Mindy what people couldn’t say in her country. Mindy thought for
a minute and she said, “We can say anything in my country.”
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