unit 06

Unit 6: What a Life!

Video Story
Introduction
It’s early June. You can tell at a glance that Sally and Philip are getting along
really well together. Philip, however, seems very hesitant about getting too
serious. Gina is having her own problems at work. Her boss is very demanding
and Gina feels overworked and under-appreciated.

Mr. Clarke: (Clears throat) Excuse me. Can you tell me how much longer
I have to wait? I have another appointment across town at 1 p.m.
Gina: I’m sorry, Mr. Clarke. We’re a little behind today. Ms. Olsen is
just taking an important call. Can I get you a cup of coffee or a
cold drink while you’re waiting?
Mr. Clarke: No, thank you.
Look, I can only give it ten more minutes.
Gina: I’m sure she won’t be much longer.
Ms. Olsen: Gina? Please send Mr. Clarke in.
Gina: Ms. Olsen will see you now.
Ms. Olsen: I really don’t like saying this, Gina, but I thought I asked
you to bring me Mr. Clarke’s portfolio. I don’t like keeping to
keep my clients waiting like this.
Gina: I did, Ms. Olsen. They’re on your desk.
Ms. Olsen: I’m sorry. I didn’t notice them there. My mistake.
Gina: (Phone rings) Amigo Communications. Can I help you?
Sandy: Hi. This is Sandy calling from Midnight Office Cleaners. I notice
that you have an outstanding bill for the last two months.
Gina: I’m sorry, but there must be some mistake. Are you sure that…
Sandy: Our policy is very clear. If payment is not received immediately,
our services will be withdrawn and your account will be sent to
our collection agency.
Gina: Listen, just leave it with me. I’ll check into it and get back to you
as soon as I can. I’m sure we can sort this out easily enough.
Sandy: I need to know before the end of office hours today. I’ll wait for
your call.
Ms. Olsen: Thank you, Mr. Clarke. I look forward to seeing you again
soon. Gina, why didn’t you tell me that Mr. Clarke was waiting
for so long?
Gina: I’m sorry, Ms. Olsen, but I left the agenda with all your
appointments for this morning on your desk, and I did call you to
let you know that Mr. Clarke had arrived.
Ms. Olsen: And another thing, Gina. Have you finished the Williams
Engineering contract yet? I told you that it was top priority. It has
to be sent off today.
Gina: Ms. Olsen, I started typing the contract the moment you gave it to
me, but this morning’s been crazy. You know that I’ve never
missed a deadline yet.
Ms. Olsen: You’re right. Sorry. I’ve got a lot on my plate right now. It’s
just that we can’t afford to lose this contract, particularly right now.
Gina: Oh, Ms Olsen?
Ms. Olsen: Yes.
Gina: Midnight Office Cleaners called to say that they haven’t received
payment from us for two months. I said there must be some mistake. I…
Ms. Olsen: I’m far too busy to deal with that right now.
Gina: (Phone rings) Amigo Communications. Can I help you?
Peter: Gina, I’ve been waiting for you for the last half hour. Why didn’t
you call me if you couldn’t make it?
Gina: Oh no! I completely forgot about lunch. I’m having a terrible day.
I’m so sorry, Peter.
Peter: That’s OK. No big deal. We can always do it another day. Look,
have you eaten yet? You sound tired out. I could get a take-out
for you.
Gina: You know what? I’d kill for a bagel and coffee.
Peter: Consider it done! I’ll be there in about ten minutes.
Gina: Thanks, Pete.
Peter: No problem. Be right there!
Gina: Great. Bye.

 

 

Cultural Commentary

Introduction
Eye on the Street: Interview about Non-Verbal Communication
Interview with a young North American male of Asian descent.

Interviewer: Jason, can you help me explain some of the non-verbal
communication we North Americans use in everyday situations?
Jason: Sure, if I can.
Interviewer: How would you show that you’re pleased to see someone?
Jason: OK. I’d smile when I said, “Hi.”. If I were meeting them for the
first time, I’d shake hands (Puts hand out.) when I said, “Pleased
to meet you.”. Of course, I’d smile and look them directly in the eye.
Interviewer: If you wanted to tell someone to come towards you, for example a teacher to a student, what would you do?
Jason: Well, I’d say, “Come here.”, but at the same time I’d beckon them over like this. (Hooks finger, pointing to himself.)
Interviewer: Now, say you want to show that you’re pleased that something has worked out well, what would you do??
Jason: That’s easy. I’d say, “Great!”. I’d smile, hold up my hand and make a circle with my thumb and finger, or I could give the
“thumbs up” sign like this. Now if I were really pleased about something, like my hockey team just scored a goal, then I’d put
my hands together above my head and shout, “Way to go!”. Maybe even jump up and down!
Interviewer: That’s great! If someone asks you a question and the answer is “yes”, what would you do?
Jason: Well, I’d say, “Yes” and I’d nod my head up and down at the same time. Just like if I said, “No”, I’d shake my head from side
to side.
Interviewer: If you are irritated or annoyed with someone, how do you show it?
Jason: Let me think. Say I had a daughter who stayed out too late. When she came home, I’d say something like, “What time do you think it is?”. My voice would be hard, and you saw how I frowned at the same time I spoke. Now, if I were really angry, I might put my hands on my hips like this as well when I was speaking.
Interviewer: That was great! (Laughs.) If you are waiting in a doctor’s office or in a store and someone calls out, “Who’s next?”, how do you let that person know that it’s you?
Jason: That’s easy. I’d say, “It’s me.”, and I’d probably point my middle finger at my chest at the same time.
Interviewer: OK, last one. How do you greet a special friend or a family member?
Jason: I’d give them a big bear hug! Like this. I’d put my arms around their shoulders and pull them close. (Puts out both arms in front
and hugs the interviewer.) I’d be saying something like, “Great to see you again!"
Interviewer: (Laughs.) Thank you very much, Jason.
Jason: Don’t mention it. It was fun!

Interviewer: Non-verbal communication goes hand in hand with language.
It’s as important to know what to do as well as what to say. Do you notice any differences between what Jason describes and what
happens in your culture.

 

 

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