Yesterday I participated a club meeting of Toast masters, and made a speech for the first months after a few months. I'll show the contents.
Today’s title is about English people.
I found an interesting book, the title is "How to be Alien". The author is George Mikes who was born in Hungary. When he moved to stay in England, he knew in England everything was different from other European countries, and he understood he was an alien in England. He writes what English people are like in this book.
Well, I learned a thing from an English man, people say “England”, they sometimes mean “Great Britain”, sometimes “the United Kingdom”, or sometimes “British Isles”. I’m sorry, this time I’ll use just England or English without thinking of the difference.
Let me start my speech.
To live in England without troubles, you should understand some important rules.
First “Speak slowly and quietly”
In England they learn to speak slowly and quietly, in Europe important people speak loudly and clearly. And in England only stupid people try to show they’re clever
It’s interesting, isn’t it?
Thinking of Japanese people, some people say speaking loudly is not sophisticated.
And usually we don’t show our cleverness. “He who knows most speaks least” is one of Japanese proverbs.
Next, “Pleased meet you” is a necessary greeting sentence.
English people won’t shake hands if you put your hand out, they smile and wait. When you stop trying to shake hands, they try to shake your hand and say “Pleased to meet you”, in Japan we usually bow instead of shaking hands.
The third is “nice” is the most useful adjective.
The author says, for the first three years you do not need to learn or use any other adjectives, just “nice” is necessary, you can say that the weather is nice, a restaurant is nice, Mr. So-and-so is nice, Mrs. So-and-so’s clothes are nice, you had a nice time. And all this will be very nice.
In Japan probably two phrases are at least necessary, they are not adjectives though. Sumimasen and Arigato. And if you are an office worker, you should learn one more phrase, Otsukaresama. And if you are a teacher, you should learn “Ganbatte”
The forth is “The English hide their feelings by speaking very little.”
If a man really loves a woman, he just says “I really quite like you, in fact”. He doesn’t say anymore.
It might be similar to old-type Japanese men.”Follow me without grumbling” is an old phrase when to propose marriage.
He also tells the easiest way to show that you speak good English.
It is to finish all your sentences with the question tug “isn’t it? “
In this book the author mentioned about tea. England tea is very famous. He said “Tea was once a good drink with lemon and sugar. It tastes very pleasant. But then the British decided to put cold milk and no sugar. They made it colorless and tasteless; tea became an unpleasant drink, even though it is called tea...
Well, I love milk tea, though.
There are more rules, if you are interested in them, please read the book of "how to be ailen".
According to this book, English people seem not to deny directly. Thinking of Japanese people, you probably know this phrase, “Japanese people can’t say no” .This phrase is said to show the Japanese character. Additionally another popular phrase is “American people can’t say sorry”.
Toaster masters club started in America, and now in many countries the club meetings are held. Every club in every country or even in every city has their own style. But in any speaking styles, like they speak clearly, or vulgarly, loudly or quietly., we can understand each other through oral communication. And if we know there are various styles of speaking, we will be able to accept and understand each other more easily.
We’ll build an amicable relationship with other people, instead of exclusive one to aliens.
Thank you for your listening to my speech.
The end
P.S I could organize this speech thanks of supporting by Tim. Thanks.
