European Behavior
1. People often speak of "European behavior". However, the truth is that what is
considered appropriate behavior in one part of Europe may not be considered
acceptable in another. In fact, you can actually tell where people come from by studying
their attitudes towards body space and time.
2. When we talk about attitudes towards body space we mean the distance people
keep from the person they are talking to. People from southern European countries
such as Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Turkey often touch as they speak. Therefore,
they stand close to the person they are talking to. In northern European countries, such
as Britain, Holland, Belgium, Germany and Scandinavia, people stand far enough apart
to make sure they don't touch, even by accident. If a southern European and a northern
European have a conversation, something amusing happens: each of them will try to
keep the "correct" speaking distance apart. This means that the southern European
will try to move closer to the northern European, and the latter will feel uncomfortable
and will try to move away.
3. Attitudes about time also differ between Europeans in the north and south. Northern
Europeans are known for their promptness. People in these countries believe that time is
money and should not be wasted. They consider it rude to arrive 10 minutes late for
anything. On the other hand, southern Europeans have a far more relaxed attitude
towards time. Being 15 minutes or even half an hour late for an appointment is
considered acceptable.
4. It has been suggested that these different attitudes in parts of Europe are related to
the climate the people live in. Northern Europeans, who live in a colder climate, may be
"colder" and more distant, while southern Europeans seem to be "warmer" and more
relaxed, like the warm weather that surrounds them. Whether this is true or not, being
aware of these differences in behavior may help you avoid uncomfortable situations.
Bibliography/Works Cited: Martin S. Remland, Tricia S. Jones and Heidi Brinkman:
“Proxemic and haptic behavior in three European countries.” Journal of Nonverbal
Behavior. December 1991. Merk, V, “Business sans frontieres? Cultural diversity and the
engineer in Europe.” IEE Review.18 Jan 1996.
European Behavior - Comprehension Questions
1. Complete the sentence according to paragraph 1.
We can tell which part of Europe people come from if we _______________
_____________________________________________________________.
2. Paragraph 2
i.
Circle the sentence which is true according to paragraph 2.
a. All Europeans keep the same distance from the people they speak to.
b. Southern Europeans stand close to people in order to make them feel
uncomfortable.
c.
The Greeks often touch while speaking.
d.
If an Italian man is speaking to a French woman he has just met she will
probably try to move away.
ii.
What “amusing thing” is mentioned?
____________________________________________________
iii.
Explain why the word ‘correct is in quotation marks.
3. Complete the following sentences according to paragraph 3.
Northern Europeans are famous for being _____________. They don't believe
in _______________. They think it is impolite to be______________.
4.
What is the southern European attitude towards time?
______________________________________________________
5.
Paragraph 5
What possible reason is there for the different attitudes in northern and southern
Europe?
_________________________________________________________________`
Find words in the text which mean the same as:
a. acceptable (paragraph 1) -
______________
b. discussion (paragraph 2) -
______________
c.
______________
funny (paragraph 2) -
d. being on time (paragraph 3) -
______________
e. connected (paragraph 4) -
______________
European Behavior - Additional Questions
1. Paragraph 2
a. Complete the following sentence.
Spain and Turkey are examples of _______________________________.
b. Who tries to keep “correct distance” when talking?
_____________________________
c. What does “the latter”(line 9) refer to?
__________________________________
2. Paragraph 3
a. List the two things northerners believe. (Refer to paragraphs 2 and 3)
i. _________________
ii. _________________
b. Northerners think it is polite to be late.
True / False
Support your answer by quoting from the text:
________________________________________________
3. Paragraph 4.
a. The weather may explain the differences in European behavior
True / False
Support your answer by quoting from the text.
__________________________________________
b.
Which “differences in behavior” (LL4-5) does the author refer to?
____________________________________________________