CHAPTER

1 CULTURE

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Able to comprehend the text about culture
2. Able to identify the vocabularies and its similar meaning
3. Able to make a self- introduction and introducing other by using
pronoun

ACTIVITY 1

Read the text below then do the exercises!

Greeting Custom around the World A guide through various

interesting gestures and greeting cultures

The customs and rituals involved in

greeting someone are often different
from country to country, and unfamiliar
customs can sometimes be confusing.
Situations get even more confusing
when different greeting gestures are
required between male and female,
female and female, male and male.

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 Travelers, especially when in unfamiliar cultures, almost need a manual
just to make sure not to offend someone when meeting and greeting.
In the USA, it is normal for men to shake
hands when they meet, but it is quite unusual
for men to kiss when they greet each other.
Greetings are casual – a handshake, a smile and
a ‘hello’ will do just fine.
The British often simply say ‘hello’ when
they meet friends. They usually shake hands only
when they meet for the first time. Social kissing, often just a peck on
the cheek, is common in an informal situation between men and women
and also between women who know each other very well.
French nationals, including children, shake hands with their friends
and often kiss them on both cheeks, both upon meeting and leaving.
In Japan, the common greeting for men and women as well is to
bow when they greet someone, as opposed in giving a casual handshake
or a hug.
In India, people greet with ‘namaste’ (na-mas-TAY) or placing both
hands together with a slight bow. These are appreciated and shows
respect for Indian customs. Men do not touch women when meeting or
greeting. Western women may offer their hand to a westernized Indian
man, but not normally to others. Traditional Indian women may shake
hands with foreign women but not usually with men.
In Arab countries, close male friends or colleagues hug and kiss
both cheeks. They shake hands with the right hand only, for longer but
less firmly than in the West. Contact between the opposite genders
in public is considered obscene. Do not offer to shake hands with the
opposite sex.
In Belgium, people kiss on one cheek when they meet, regardless
of the gender or how well they know each other.
Chinese tend to be more conservative. When meeting someone for
the first time, they would usually nod their heads and smile, or shake
hands if in a formal situation.
In Russia, the typical greeting is a very firm handshake. Assume
you’re trying to crush each other’s knuckles, all the while maintaining
direct eye contact. When men shake hands with women, the handshake

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is less industrial. It is considered gallant to kiss women three times
while alternating cheeks, and even to kiss hands.
A full list would be extensive, as each country differs just
a little bit in the way people greet each other. To add to the
hapless traveler’s confusion are the different hand gestures around the
world. Before visiting a foreign country, it is recommended to check on
the various meaning of hand gestures, as a visitor may inadvertently find
himself in a very unpleasant situation. Here is why:
a. Waving your full arm side to side in many countries is recognized
as saying ‘hello’ or ‘goodbye’. However, in East Asian countries it
is considered overly demonstrative. Additionally in some European
countries, as well as Japan and Latin America, it can be confused
for a ‘no’ or general negative response. In India, it means ‘come
here’.
b. Counting with fingers starting with index finger toward the pinkie
can make people confused in Germany and Austria as forefinger
held up means two instead of one, especially when ordering a round
of drinks. In Japan, the thumb alone means five. When Hungarians
count on their hand, they start with the thumb being number one.
c. Curling the index finger, or four fingers toward you as a gesture of
inviting somebody to come closer, can be mistaken for ‘good bye’
in southern Europe. In Philippines and East Asia, curling the index
finger is used only to beckon dogs.
d. Pointing directly to someone or something using index finger in
Europe is considered impolite. In China, Japan, Latin America and
Indonesia it has very rude connotations. In many African countries,
the index finger is used for pointing only at inanimate objects.

Gestures can say more than words, and just as we are usually very
careful when using foreign languages, we should consider carefully what
hand gestures we should display whilst in different cultures. The world
is indeed full of diversities, so enjoy your learning.

CHAPTER 1 | Culture 3
 EXERCISE 1

Answer the following questions!

1. Why do we need to consider the various greeting custom while
traveling around the world?
2. Which countries that have quite the similar rule of greeting custom
based on the reading text?
3. What is the different way of using their fingers between Japan,
Hungarians and Indonesia?
4. What do you thing about the greeting customs in your country?
5. Review the reading text above by your own words and share it to
your friends!

ACTIVITY 2

LANGUAGE FOCUS
Self-Introduction

Self-Introduction
Table 1.1 Self introduction
No Language Function Language Expression

1 Greeting Hi,..
Hello…
Good morning, …
Good afternoon, ….
Nice to meet you

2 Addresses The honorable…

Ladies and gentleman,…
Everybody/everyone,…
Guys
Honorable
Distinguished guests
Dear brother and sisters

3 Opening It is nice to be here

It such a great opportunity standing here

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 4 Introducing Let me introduce my name
I would like to introduce my name
5 Name My complete name is …
My call name is …
You can call me../ my friends usually call
me…..

6 Origin I come from… I’ve been living in …

Iam from …. I grew up in …

Place and date of birth I was born in (name of month)

I was born on ( name of the day)
7 Address I live in (name of the city/place)
I live at (street– number)

8 Hobby / interests I love listening Kpop

I interest in collecting BTS merchandise.
My hobby is …

9 Fun Fact I have phobia…

I have strange experience …
I have weird like, it is …

9 Social Media You can find on my IG @...

If you want to know me more, follow me on …
10 Closing 1 Thank you for your attention
It is nice to meet you
Good bye

MODEL EXPOSURE
Read the dialog below!
Sasha : Excuse me, may I seat here?
Brent : Of course. Have a seat.
Sasha : (sitting) Hello. I’m Sasha.
Brent : Hi Sasha. I’m Brent. (Shake hand)
Sasha : Nice to meet you Brent. Where are you from?
Brent : New York. And you?
Sasha : I’m from Australia. I live in a Small Town near Sydney.
Brent : Australia. Wow. I’ve always wanted to go there. How long
have you been in Indonesia?
Sasha : I just arrived this week. It’s my first day off school.

CHAPTER 1 | Culture 5
Brent : Really? I think you’ll love Jakarta. It’s a bit hot but not too
bad. There are a lot of cultures in Indonesia. I have to get
closer with that.
Sasha : Sure. You must get used of that soon. The people here are
very welcoming.
Brent : I agree with that.

ACTIVITY 3

LANGUAGE FOCUS
Introducing Family and Friends

Table 1.2 Introducing Others

LANGUAGE EXPRESSIONS RESPONSES

Hi.. Hi….nice to meet you

This is my father/mother/ brother, etc Hello…..I am happy to meet you
He is a teacher. Glad to meet you.
She lives in …..
I’m going to introduce you to …….
She works ………………
She is a ………………….
She has worked here for ………
She likes / enjoys …………………
She lives ……………………..

ACTIVITY 4

GRAMMAR FOCUS
Personal Pronoun
Personal pronouns are words that are used to replace a person or
thing. In all patterns, there must be agreement of personal pronoun
as nominative (subject), accusative (object), possessive adjective, and
possessive pronoun.

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Table 1.3 Personal Pronoun
Possessive Possessive Reflexive
Subject Object
Adjective (+ noun) Pronoun Pronoun

I Me My Mine Myself

You You Your Yours Yourself

He Him His His Himself

She Her Her Hers Herself

It It Its - Itself

We Us Our Ours Ourselves

They Them Their Theirs Themselves

Talita Her Her (Talita’s…) Hers Herself

Wayan His His (Wayan’s ….) His Himself

MODEL EXPOSURE
Study the following passage!
Example:
Hi guys….they are my father and my mother. My father is a teacher.
He thought me when I was in Junior High School. He is 50 years old
now. My mother is a dancing teacher. She teaches traditional Balinese
dance. She loves her job very much. Someday, I wish I could be a teacher
like them.

Read the following dialogue, then practice with your friends!

Introducing Friends
Kate : Hi, Yuki this is my brother, Jhon and Jhon this is my friend
Yuki, she comes from Japan.
Yuki : Hi, Jhon nice to meet you.
Jhon : Hi, Yuki nice to meet you too.
Kate : She lives near your house, Jhon, in 2nd avenue.
Jhon : Really? May be someday we can go out for dinner.
Yuki : Sure. I’d love too.

CHAPTER 1 | Culture 7
Kate : Yuki, Jhon works as a success dentist. He opens clinic by
himself. I admire him.
Jhon : Don’t mention it. It is just a fresh start to my carrier. How
about yours?
Yuki : Owh, Iam a translator. I wish I could open Japanese short
course to introduce my culture here.
Jhon : It is brilliant. Well, as we know that Japan has a lot of unique
culture.

EXERCISE 2

Fill in the blank using the suitable pronouns!

1. Thomas is Canadian. … lives with … family in Canada. … parents
love traveling to Bali.
2. My husband bought ... a flower. … is red rose. I put … in … room.
3. The children learn about how to greet local people from different
countries. It is important for … to learn … from the early age.
4. I like watching Kdrama. … culture also amaze me. … love both
culture and … life style.
5. Wina and I typed … homework at my home. Suddenly, Jeane came
and helped ... to finish it. Finally, … did it by …
6. Carva Chauth is one of Indian traditional ritual. … is celebrated by
indian married women. … mother-in-law will give … wedding sari
and jewel for the ritual. The women also do the fast for … husband.
7. You will hurt … if you do not use the knife properly. Look at …,
… Should be held like this.
8. I gave John the first edition of this book. Then, … treated ... a meal.
Suddenly, I met Martha. have a meal together.
9. Last summer, I visited Amrita, … friend in Mumbay for … wedding
ceremony. There are a lot of dancer celebrating the wedding. …
wear Indian dancing sari.
10. Mira, Suzi and Robert write … English final project. … discuss it
together by sharing opinion. Therefor, that makes faster to finish
it.

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 EXERCISE 3

Fill in the Blank Space with Correct Pronoun!

Lisa : Hi friends, what are you doing?
Made : We are just talking about … English project. Miss Tina told
us to make an essay about a unique culture in the world.
Yani : Well, it is interesting to raise a topic of Bridal Shower, a
Western culture.
Lisa : … have heard about that culture. But, is that culture? Because
last week, my aunt celebrate … before … wedding. I think,
it is not a culture.
Yani : Actual it is a Western culture and there was a history about
… . The western people always celebrate it before a big day
comes. … celebrate it two or a week before wedding day. The
bride will invite … close female friends and serve … with
food, drink, just like a party. The female-friend will give a
present or dowries like household items to the bride.
Made : It is interesting culture. Indonesia may be addopt that culture
as a life style.
Yani : Yes, I agree with …

ACTIVITY 5

Read the text below then do the exercises!

Ngayahan, The Social Tradition Of Binding Friendship In

Balinese Communities
Not only famous for its extraordinary
natural charm, Bali is also known as
an area with a wealth of art, culture,
and social systems that are seemingly
timeless with modernization. Although
quite a lot of foreign influences enter
the midst of the people, but Balinese

CHAPTER 1 | Culture 9
culture is not merely forgotten. They are so enterprising, resilient, and
cleverly maintain the heritage of his ancestors.
In Balinese society, there is an activity called Ngayah. Ngayah is a
tradition of donation. But donating in Ngayah does not always in a form
of money or materials, but also services. Ngayah is done voluntarily for
the common good. Ngayah teaches the Balinese to help one another.
Well, in this tradition, it isn’t always about the social activities. But
they do Ngayah as a religious command as well.
Conceptually, this tradition is the same as mutual cooperation. The
difference is that Ngayah is not merely helping and doing good for the
common good, but is a manifestation of religiosity, social piety, and
culture in Balinese society. Since this tradition is a legacy of ancestors
and regulated in religion, Ngayahan is also strongly embedded in their
soul so that it becomes the identity of the Balinese people.
Unlike other traditions that must be performed every certain date,
Ngayah can be done every day and is very easy to do. For example,
every morning, they always chat with their neighbors before doing
daily activities to establish intimacy. Or when there are certain events,
they together make preparations so that the event runs well. For more
complex matters, donations in the form of money and goods are usually
collected regularly so that if needed at any time it can be used. That
way, the Balinese can still maintain the spirit of sharing and doing
good to others.
Ngayah tradition has been carried out since long ago. As a small
example, in the past, most Balinese people worked as farmers. While
working in the fields, these farmers often chat and joke with each other.
This activity is also called Ngayahan. By chatting and joking together,
they help each other to relieve inner fatigue during farming and also
spread positive energy to get back to work. Simple, right?
With the emergence of Ngayahan tradition, surely the ancestors
of the Balinese hope that the next generation will not forget how to
socialize with others. The existence of this tradition can foster a sense
of brotherhood and build togetherness through activities carried out
by mutual cooperation without expecting financial rewards.

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 EXERCISE 4

1. What is the concept of Ngayah in Bali?

2. Why is Ngayah tradition called as volunteerism tradition in Bali?
3. How the Balinese do this tradition?
4. What do you think about the existence of this tradition nowadays?
5. Review the reading text above, then share it to your
friends!

EXERCISE 5

Write T for True and F for False!

1. Modernization makes Ngayah Tradition is no longer exist in Bali.
( )
2. Donation that offers in Ngayah tradition is money, materials, and
services. ( )
3. The purpose of Ngayah Tradition is to maintaining social activities
only. ( )
4. Ngayah tradition teaches the Balinese how to collect money for
goods. ( )
5. The ancestors wish this tradition keeps going on to establish the
social relationship among Balinese. ( )

CHAPTER 1 | Culture 11
 ACTIVITY 6

GRAMMAR FOCUS
PART OF SPEECH

NOUN PRONOUN

Name of a thing, person, animal, Pronoun is used for noun phrase to

job, place, an idea. avoid repetition
Example: Daniel, table, horse, Example: I, you, they, we, her, my,
soldier, beach, hope. them, itself, etc.
- Jenny is a marketing in her - I ask her to get out of my
office room

ADJECTIVE VERB

Describes, modifies, or gives more Shows an action or state of being.

information about noun or pronoun. It can show what is someone do or
Example: happy, nice, young, hot, did
large, bad Example: play, go, move, love,
- A young boy park his new bring, show, jump, run
bicycle here - I love to play chess in my spare

ADVERB PREPOSITION

Modifies a verb, an adjective, or Shows a relationship of a noun,

another adverb. It tells where, when, noun phrase, or pronoun to another
how, etc. word
Example: Slowly, always, carefully, Example: in, on, at, with, and,
well, often about
- Mom always kisses me softly. - Sue puts the book with small

CONJUCTION INTERJECTION
Joins two words, ideas, phrases
together and shows how they are A word or phrase that shows a
connected. strong emotion. It is a short
Example: and, or, but, because, exclamation
until, if. Example: Ouch!, hei, wow, ough
- Marta and I will wait you until night - Wow, it is amazing creature
English for Personality Development | 11

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 EXERCISE 6

Group the Following Word Into Its Part of Speech!

she immediately wow
Indonesia but cat
house on believe
because and ouch!
know carefully us
or jump gosh!
behind doctor my goodness!
between now it
move few black
everywhere they look
loudly smaller bad
mother after faster
pretty Phew! At
under them happily

NOUN ADJECTIVE VERB

• • •
• • •
• • •

ADVERB CONJUNCTION PRONOUN

• • •
• • •
• • •

PREPOSITION INTERJECTION

• •
• •
• •

CHAPTER 1 | Culture 13
 EXERCISE 6

Write on the Correct Part of Speech of the Following Underlined Words!

1. My mother lives in London. ( )
2. I greet them gently with smile ( )
3. They discussed about their final project last week. ( )
4. I’am a big fan of BTS and Black Pink. ( )
5. I left my shoes under the kitchen table. ( )
6. Well, you look gorgeous with that beautiful sari. ( )
7. My father will join Ngayah tradition tomorrow. ( )
8. You will never know the vibes of tomato festival before you join it.
( )
9. Oh no, I forget that today is my Balinese birthday. ( )
10. Megedong-gedongan is a ceremony before the baby get
birth.
( )

REFLECTION/SUMMARY/CONCLUSION
1. This chapter provides several reading text under the topic of culture.
The culture about greeting customs, culture about ceremony in
some different countries.
2. There are several language focus in this chapter; self introduction
and introducing others by using grammar focus like personal
pronoun, that is also explained here.
3. Personal pronouns are words that are used to replace a person or
thing. In all patterns, there must be agreement of personal pronoun
as nominative (subject), accusative (object), possessive adjective,
and possessive pronoun.
4. Part of speech is also discussed as a basic knowledge to recognize
the words.

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