1、Unit 1 Greetings and Small Talk 东北大学大学英语Greetings and Small Talk UNIT 1 Reading 3 3 Pre-reading Questions Topic Preview Text C Greetings and Small Talk UNIT 1 Topic Preview Read and explain the following proverbs about talks and words.1.A bird is known by its note,and a man by his talk.2.A closed mo
2、uth catches no flies.3.Good medicine tastes bitter.4.The wise think all that they say,fools say all that they think.5.A word spoken is an arrow sent in flight.6.Dont measure your words by quantity but by quality.Greetings and Small Talk UNIT 1 Pre-reading Questions 1.What do you usually talk about b
3、efore a formal conversation?2.Do you often engage in small talk with strangers on a train or plane?Why?3.What are the benefits of small talk?Make a list and compare them with your partner.Greetings and Small Talk UNIT 1 Text C Text Understanding the Structure of the Text Comprehension Questions 3 Co
4、mprehension Questions 3 Greetings and Small Talk UNIT 1 Text C Small Talk was written by Justine Coupland,an expert in the field of sociolinguistics which is the study of language in relation to social factors.Coupland provides a comprehensive analysis of the powerful and positive effect that small
5、talk has in social interactions.She writes,“Small talk cannot be dismissed as peripheral,marginal or minor discourse.Small talk is a means by which we negotiate interpersonal relationships.This is a crucial function with significant implications for ongoing and future interactions.”The Social Value
6、of Small Talk Greetings and Small Talk UNIT 1 Nicholas Epley,a professor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago,takes Couplands definition a step further.He agrees with Aristotles famous argument that“man is by nature a social animal.”He observed that feeling socially connected increases
7、 happiness and health,whereas feeling disconnected makes one feel depressed and unhealthy.Epley writes,“People can begin to improve their own well-being and that of othersby being more sociable with strangers and by trying to create connections instead of isolation.”Greetings and Small Talk UNIT 1 E
8、pley conducted a study with daily commuters on the Chicago metro railroad line and reported these results in an article for the Chicago Tribune.“Commuters asked to interact with other passengers reported having the most pleasant commute.Commuters asked to enjoy their solitude reported the least plea
9、sant commute.We found the same results among both introverts and extroverts.”Greetings and Small Talk UNIT 1 1.Small talk helps to calm and center us.It is very common for many of us to feel uncomfortable or nervous in a social situation.Whether we admit to it or not,everyone fears the possibility o
10、f rejection.These fears can cause sweaty palms and make us feel tongue-tied if we try to speak.But through small talk we have a way to overcome these self-imposed limitations and insecurities.By shifting the focus from ourselves to others,we can transform our anxious self-talk from“I never know what
11、 to say”to“What I can do is to say hello and show interest in another person.”Greetings and Small Talk UNIT 1 2.Small talk provides essential of connection.We all have an intrinsic need to not only be seen,but also to be heard.Its this dual recognition that fosters the respect,harmony,and togetherne
12、ss that we need to build our relationships.Small talk has the power to open the door of interaction and invite another person into a reciprocal exchange in a non-threatening and welcoming manner.Light and casual conversation is an easy way to let others know we are approachable,friendly,and interest
13、ed.When we offer a light-hearted comments or ask or answer simple questions,we let the other people know that we are receptive and willing to communicate.Greetings and Small Talk UNIT 1 Small talk brings us into the present moment with one another.Those first few minutes of contact can form a positi
14、ve first impression that ignites a desire to know more about each other.A few words of care can bring us together.This can occur by,for example,simply saying“Bless You”when a stranger sneezes or asking“How are you feeling today?”to a co-worker recovering from an illness.As the proverb states,“The to
15、ngue is the rudder of the ship.”Our words of salutation and connection can turn a solitary experience into a shared one,steering us away from loneliness and onward to greater connection.Greetings and Small Talk UNIT 1 3.Small talk makes transitions easier.Small talk allows us to move more easily bet
16、ween our various roles,be they personal or professional.Small gestures such as greeting one another in a cordial and warm manner prior to a medical procedure or a difficult work project help immeasurably us to ease into the process or task ahead.A physicians friendly greeting and inquiry about the patients family or a favorite sports team prior to an examination can soothe a patients anxieties.This indispensable small talk helps to strengthen the therapeutic relationship.It contributes greatly t
