Activity 1.
Pair Work
Talk to your partner and ask these things you might do when you meet a new
person for the first time using the structures below.
Do you..?
o Shake hands.
o Use first names.
o Ask what the person’s job is.
o Buy the person a drink.
o Ask how much the person earns.
o Look at the person directly.
o Smile and laugh a lot.
o Bow (bend your body to greet someone).
o Kiss the person on the cheek.
o Find out about the person’s interests.
o Find out about the person’s family.
o Exchange business cards.
o Touch the person on the arm.
o Stand very close.
o Hug (embrace) when you say good-bye.
o Cross your arms.
Activity 2. Group Discussion
Talk about the things below and decide what might be acceptable, unacceptable, or
totally unacceptable when meeting someone for the first time. From the list above,
what do you consider unacceptable?
Activity 3: Reading & Listening:
Read the article, and fill in the blanks with the missing words.
First Impressions
According to psychologists, people form 1.__________ impressions based first on how you look, then
on how you sound, and finally on what you 2._______. Your physical appearance, how you look, makes
up 55% of a first 3 ________.
This includes facial expressions, body language, and 4._________ contact, as well as clothing and
general appearance. The way you 5. _________ makes up 38% of the first impression. This includes how
fast or slowly, loudly or softly you 6._________, and your tone of voice. People listen to your tone of
voice and decide whether you sound 7.___________or unfriendly, interested or bored, and
8._____________ or sad. What you say, the actual words you use, counts for only 7% of the
9.___________.
People form their first impressions within 10 seconds of meeting you. And first impressions don’t
10._________ easily. If someone gets the wrong impression of you, it can take a long time to change his
or her 11.________. Giving a good first impression depends on many things. Everyone behaves in
different 12.__________, but when you’re not sure you’re giving a good impression, the best thing to do
is ask yourself, “What would I think of someone who acted this way?”
Activity 4. Pair Work
Talk to your partner and ask the questions below.
1. What do you think are some bad manners?
2. Can you think of some good manners that are bad manners in another country?
3. What are some good manners for using a cell phone?
4. What are some good table manners?
5. What are some good party manners?
6. Do you listen to other's people conversations on the street?
7. Do you honk your horn to people when you drive?
8. Can manners affect your success in life? How?
9. What's the best way to teach manners to children?
10. What culture do you think is the most polite? Explain.
Activity 5. Pair Work - QUIZ
Do You Make a Good First Impression?
1. While sitting, how do you position yourself?
a. I sit up straight and lean forward slightly.
b. I match his body language.
c. I lean back and try to stay relaxed.
2. What color were your last interviewer's eyes?
a. Green with tiny flecks of gold.
b. Light colored--blue, I think. Green?
c. I'm lucky if I remember a name.
Activity 6. Getting Personal - Listening
A reporter is interviewing Michael and Amy.
First read the questions below. Then listen and write the answers.
About Amy:
7. What are Amy’s favorite classes in college?
8. Which languages is she studying?
9. Which language is the most useful in her opinion?
10.What other classes is she taking in college?
11.Where does she want to work after college?
12.Which country would she like to live? Why?
About Michael:
1. What are Michael’s favorite subjects in school?
2. Why does he really like English?
3. What does he like about his history classes?
4. What does he want to do when he finishes high school?
5. Which course is he thinking about taking or attending in college?
6. What does he want to be?

3. How often do you touch a person you've met? Video Activity - First Good Impression
a. Maybe a couple of pats on the back.
b. Only during the handshake. Watch the video and write ‘B’ for Betty and ‘R’ for Rebecca:
c. Never.

4. When you meet someone, you tend to . . .

a. Discuss the day's news. 1. She beats her head on the glass door.
b. Jabber about whatever is on my mind. 2. She wrote on her resume she is fluent in Finnish.
c. Freeze up and go blank. 3. She is the manager assistant.
4. She is a financial advisor.
5. When you see photos of yourself, you think . . . 5. It is her first day at work.
a. Pretty good. I should get copies.
b. The camera adds 10 pounds.
6. She was hired by a telephone call.
c. Got my bad side again.
Video Discussion
6. A waiter drops hot soup in your lap. You . . .
a. Ask for crackers.
b. Request a free meal from the manager.
1. What do Rebecca and Betty have in common?
c. Get the waiter fired and go to the burn unit. 2. Did they act naturally? Why or Why not?
3. Did they cause a good impression? Why or Why not?
7. How much do you talk at a first meeting? 4. What would you do in their place to cause a good impression?
a. I ask more questions than I answer. 5. Is it easier for a man or a woman to cause a good impression?
b. I go for an even give-and-take. 6. If you were their boss, how would you react?
c. Lots--I want them to remember me.

8. How do you dress to impress someone?

a. I dress slightly better than the dress code.
b. I try to match what others will wear.
c. I've got my lucky pants and shirt.