How do you want the world to see you?

Discussion.

1. What did your parents teach you about good manners when you were young?

2. Read the following extract from an article on meeting new colleagues for the first time.
Then discuss the questions with your teacher.

Meeting new colleagues for the first time can be a nerve-wracking experience. We want to
create a good impression but sometimes feel awkward in these new situations. Remember
to show respect to your colleagues and avoid doing anything which would be considered
unprofessional. Stick to safe topics of conversation, as some topics could be considered
offensive or taboo.

1. How do you try to create a good impression when meeting someone for the first time?
2. What topics would be considered taboo in your country?

3. Match the phrases on the left with the correct definitions on the right.

a good impression favourable view of yourself

over-familiar behaving or speaking in an inappropriately informal way
not the done thing not socially acceptable
pushy excessively assertive
misinterpreted failed to understand something correctly
taboo prohibited or restricted by social custom

4. Replace the underlined parts of the sentences with words from the box.

disrespectful / unprofessional / unhygienic / sexist / inconsiderate

1. He doesn’t wash his hands after going to the bathroom. It’s really not sanitary. unhygienic
2. The manager was unpopular in the office due to his prejudiced, based-on-sex views. sexist
3. Frank’s behaviour was seen as thoughtlessly causing hurt or inconvenience to others.
inconsiderate
4. She was criticised for her attitude, which was seen as being below the standard expected
in her profession. unprofessional
5. When meeting people for the first time, avoid doing anything showing a lack of respect or
courtesy. disrespectful

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5. Discuss whether the situation described is acceptable or unacceptable in your country.

Asking other people how much they earn or how old they are
Dropping in at someone’s house without being invited

Arriving half an hour late to a social occasion

Doing things on your phone while socializing with friends
Touching people when you talk to them (patting them on the back, touching their arm, etc.)

6. Which ones depend on the social context, or the age of the person? Discuss with your
teacher.

Calling people you don’t know by their first name

Phoning people after 10 pm
Couples kissing and cuddling in public
Swearing at work
Standing up when someone enters or leaves the room

7. What kind of behaviour is unacceptable to you? Discuss with your teacher, providing
additional information and examples.

8. What social taboos should a visitor to your country be aware of? Discuss with your
teacher and compare. Are the same things taboo in your country and theirs?

9. Grammar: Patterns with abstract nouns and relative clauses.

In complex sentences, abstract nouns are often followed by relative clauses.

For example:
People often feel stressed in situations where they’re under a lot of pressure.

Different nouns collocate with different relative pronouns.

For example:
A key part of an effective presentation is the part where you summarise your main points.
We have all experienced times when we felt we could not continue.
Due to current circumstances, the way in which we communicate is changing.

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10. Fill in the blanks with the correct relative pronoun.

where / which / when / where / which

1. The best bit of the movie was the part where the guy got eaten by a shark while making
his motivational speech.
2. My teenage years are the time when I wish I had felt more confident.
3. The way in which people buy products has changed over the last 20 years.

4. I feel that I could have done better in the part where they asked me about my previous
experience.
5. The way in which people are learning languages has shifted in recent years.

11. Discuss the questions with your teacher, elaborate as much as you can.

Do you think people are too obsessed with image?

Do you try to present yourself in a certain way in certain situations (at work, on social media,
etc.)?
Do you agree that in order to be successful, we need to have the right image?

12. What kinds of people need to be conscious of their image?

Explain your answers to your teacher.

young people / politicians / old people / athletes / celebrities

Need to be image-conscious Do not need to be image-conscious

13. Match the words/phrases on the left with the correct definitions on the right.

image consultant a person who gives advice on how to improve a client’s public image
personal trainer a person who works with a client to implement an exercise regimen
style makeover a course of cosmetic treatments and hairstyling
inner beauty attractive non-physical traits, such as personality
charisma a compelling charm that can inspire devotion in others

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14. Complete the sentences using the words from the box.

overdressed / fashion victim / posture / make-up artist / bad hair day

1. She has excellent posture. I don’t know how she always sits so upright.
2. We were all wondering why he was keeping his hat on, until he explained that he was
having a bad hair day.
3. He was self-conscious about his bad skin before going on TV, so he hired a make-up artist to
make himself more presentable.
4. If you’re not sure of the dress code for a social event, it’s probably better to be a little
overdressed rather than appearing too casual.
5. The 65-year-old man was wearing branded clothes marketed at teenagers. He looked like a
fashion victim.

15. Answer the questions, providing extra information.

If you could hire one person for free, would you hire an image consultant,
a make-up artist, or a personal trainer? Why?

If you could only choose one, would you rather have good posture, inner beauty, or charisma?
Why?

16. Watch the following video about why we hate seeing images of ourselves:
Duncan Davidson: Why do we hate seeing photos of ourselves?

1. How do you feel when you see photos of yourself? Is it difficult to take a photo of yourself
that you like?
2. Discuss with your teacher and provide additional information.

17. What does the speaker mean when he talks about the “uncanny valley”?

A place where the lighting makes you look bad

A phobia of having your photo taken
A situation where you feel that a photo of yourself looks “wrong”
An attitude that makes people feel negative

18. Do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

Discuss your reasons with your teacher.

The speaker’s comments about the uncanny valley apply to me.

I believe some people are just naturally photogenic.
The camera never lies.

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19. Answer the following questions:

1. Do you know anyone who always hates seeing photos of themselves?

2. Do you know anyone who always looks good in photos?
3. Do you think people edit photos that they post online too much?
4. Do you think that most people are too concerned about their image?

20. Read the quotes about self-image. Which do you relate to most? Discuss with your
teacher, providing additional information.

“It's like everyone tells a story about themselves inside their own head. Always. All the time.
That story makes you what you are. We build ourselves out of that story.”

“It's not what you say out of your mouth that determines your life, it's what you whisper to
yourself that has the most power!”

“The reflection that we see every day has nothing to do with how others see us. The glass
lies.”

“Don't think of yourself as special or important. Just be ordinary.”

21. How do you want the world to see you? What do you want people to think when they see
you? Discuss with your teacher and use words from the table if necessary.

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