2008 Eden Social Welfare Foundation Foreign Volunteer Recruit Information

Eden Social Welfare Foundation provides “comprehensive human care” for people between the ages of 0-65, including vocational training, employment service, rehabilitation, early intervention, long-term care service, new immigrant service, and community reconstruction for disaster victims. The international cooperation center recruits foreigners in Taiwan to serve in Ai-De Nursing Center, New Immigration Development Center and Joy Service Center for the Visually Impaired.

Service Program (1) Ai-De Nursing Service Center
Description: Ai De Nursing Service Center is located just a short bus ride away from Danshui MRT. This center cares for persons with severe disabilities and the elderly. Volunteers will have the opportunity to help the nursing staff in many ways.

Project #1 Ball Sport
Time: Monday 09:30-10:30
Volunteers Needed: 6
Description: Play ball with the residents

Project #2 Computer Class
Time: Monday 09:30-10:30
Volunteers Needed: 6
Description: Teach the residents the basic computer software

Project #3 Movie Time
Time: Monday 14:00-16:00
Volunteers Needed: 6
Description: Watch movie with the residents
Project #4 Ball Sport
Time: Tuesday 09:30-10:30
Volunteers Needed: 6
Description: Play ball with the residents

Project #5 Computer Class
Time: Tuesday 09:30-10:30
Volunteers Needed: 6
Description: Teach the residents the basic computer software

Project #6 Paper Art Class
Time: Tuesday 09:30-10:30
Volunteers Needed: 6
Description: Help the art teacher runs the class for the residents.

Project #7 Karaoke
Time: Tuesday 14:00-16:00
Volunteers Needed: 6
Description: Help nursing stuff to run a Karaoke event

Project #8 Rehabilitation
Time: Wednesday 09:30-10:30
Volunteers Needed: 6
Description: Help nursing stuff to run rehabilitation

Project #9 Handmade Soap Class
Time: Wednesday 14:30-16:00
Volunteers Needed: 6
Description: Help the teacher to teach a Handmade Soap class to the residents

Project #10 Movie Time
Time: Wednesday 14:00-16:00
Volunteers Needed: 6
Description: Watch movie with the residents

Project #11 Straw Art Class
Time: Thursday 09:30-10:30
Volunteers Needed: 6
Description: Help the teacher to run a Straw Art class for the residents.

Project #12 Straw Art Class
Time: Thursday 09:30-10:30
Volunteers Needed: 6
Description: Help the teacher to run a Straw Art class for the residents.

Project #13 Clay Class
Time: Thursday 14:00-16:30
Volunteers Needed: 6
Description: Help the teacher to run a clay class for the residents.

Project #14 Cook Class
Time: Thursday 14:00-16:30
Volunteers Needed: 6
Description: Help the teacher to run a cook class for the residents.

Project #15 Rehabilitation
Time: Friday 09:30-10:30
Volunteers Needed: 6
Description: Help nursing stuff to run rehabilitation

Project #16 Karaoke
Time: Friday 14:00-16:00
Volunteers Needed: 6
Description: Help nursing stuff to run a Karaoke event


Address:
5F., No.300, Shalun Rd., Danshui Town, Taipei County 251, Taiwan



Service Program (2) New Immigration Development Center 
Description of Center: This center provides support to foreign spouses mostly from Vietnam to adjust to their new lives in Taiwan. The center holds counseling for foreign spouses and their children as well as after-school programs.

Project #1 After-school program in Taipei City (Near MRT YongChun Station)
Time: Tuesday16:00-18:00； Wednesday 12:00-17:00；Thursday 14:00-16:00
Volunteers Needed: 2 for each time section
Description: Work with low-income children in an after elementary school program. During the time will include doing fun activities and culture exchange class for 10 students from grade 1-4. This program also holds after school English tutoring.

Project #2 After-school program in Xindian (Near MRT Xindian City Hall Station)
Time: Wednesday 15:00-16:00
Volunteers Needed: 5
Description: Work with low-income children in an after-elementary-school program. The program includes fun activities and culture exchange class for 20 students from grade 3-6. This program also holds after-school English tutoring.

Project #3 After-school program in Mujha
Time: Wednesday 16:00-17:00
Volunteers Needed: 4
Description: Work with low-income children in an after-elementary-school program. The program includes fun activities and culture exchange class for 10 students from grade 3. This program also holds after-school English tutoring.


Requirements:
1. Basic to Conversational level of speaking Chinese.
2. Come to volunteer with energy and enthusiasm.
3. Be an independent worker.
4. Experience in working with children
5. Discuss children’s learning condition with staff once each month
Service Program (3) Joy Service Center for People with Visual Impairment
Description of Center: This center provides vocational training to the visually impaired. The Joy Choir is Eden’s famous chorale group with blind brothers in Christ. They are constantly traveling to different countries to perform their beautiful singing.

Project #1 English Conversation and Singing Course for Joy Chorale
Time: Tuesday 10:00-12:30
Volunteers Needed: 1
Description: Practice English conversation and teach English songs to the Joy Chorale group to help them improve their English skills.

Requirements:
1. Conversational Chinese
2. Energy and Enthusiasm in volunteering.
3. Desire to work with the visually impaired
4. Christian Prefer

Address: B1, No.4, Alley 1, Lane 199, Sec. 3, Bade Rd., Songshan District, Taipei City 105, Taiwan 
Service Program (4) International Cooperation Center
Description of Center: This center is responsible for the international aid, foreign volunteer, and accessible tourism. We need some volunteers to assist us with translation, proofreading, and data research, etc.


Project #1 English translation, proofreading, date research.
Time: Monday to Friday 10:00-12:30 or 14:00-17:00 (At least one day for each month)
Volunteers Needed: 1
Description: Translation, proofreading, and data research

Requirements:
1. English Ability.


Notice:
1.If you are interested in our service programs, please download the“Eden Foreigner Volunteer Application Form”from the English Website of Eden, and email the application form to dep354@mail.eden.org.tw Eden English Website:
http://engweb.eden.org.tw/
Under main menu, click “Events” then click “2008 Eden Social Welfare Foundation Foreign Volunteer Recruit Information”, there you will find the application form.
2. Contact information:
Tel: (02)25784515 ext205 Jochen, Lu

迴紋針男凱爾麥唐諾Dom的房子，跟你交換！

是的，我是迴紋針男凱爾麥唐諾，我跟我老婆決定要把用迴紋針換到的這棟房子，放在奇集集Kijiji網站上跟你交換! 我們沒有設定要換到什麼或要跟誰交換，歡迎大家提出任何有趣的提議! 請你刊登一則要交換的廣告在 「迴紋針男的房子」這個類別下，內容請寫中英文

這棟房子非常適合跟以下的人交換： - 有興趣住在這房子或用它來做生意的人 - 了解這棟房子是Kipling的觀光景點，並對這裡的居民有重要的意義

如果你想跟我以物易物換到這房子，請快行動吧! 我是說真的，我沒有什麼預設條件，任何的東西都有可能換到這個房子!

That's right, Dom and I are trading the red paperclip house. With who? For what? Well that's where things get interesting: We have no idea yet. I'm not looking for anything in particular in exchange for the house, it would be great to trade with somebody who: -Plans to live or operate a business in the house. -Understands the house is a tourist attraction in Kipling, and important to the community.

Really, I'm looking for nothing in particular, just to make a trade and see where this goes. So if you have anything you'd like to offer in exchange for the house, and I mean anything, be sure to send in your offer!

以下是這棟房子的詳細介紹: Details about the red paperclip house: Located at 503 Main Street in Kipling Saskatchewan Canada Fully furnished. Two floors + basement Three bedrooms Two bathrooms Refinished hardwood floors. Fridge, stove, sinks, drawers, shelves...all the regular kitchen stuff. Electricity! Large grass front yard + large grass backyard. Gas hot water tank + gas furnace. close proximity to schools, restaurants, grocery stores, hospital, etc. Kipling has most services in town. Giant red paperclip on the front lawn. located a stone's throw away from the world's largest red paperclip.

這則文章引用奇集集Kijiji免費分類廣告.

台大AIESCE參訪伊甸基金會心得

伊甸基金會對我們來說真是個充滿驚奇的地方。和其他的社福團體的感覺有些不同，特別親切 ^ ^兩次的諮詢都比原先預期的得到太多東西了。 針對新移民這個議題的本身，除了我們事前閱讀的資料，今天和基金會的工作人員的交流，藉著他們實際與新移民接觸的經驗，具像化了我們對字裡行間許多描述的想像，更加深了想關懷這個議題的熱情。媒體，對社福團體來說真像是雙面刃，如果沒有媒體的曝光，很難引起大眾注意，但媒體往往選擇了他們認為"值得報導"的素材加以放大，把社會現象描寫成社會問題是他們的專長，傷害總在他們有意無意的操控中造成。如何正面，快速，有效率的推廣新移民的議題，的卻值得深思。 謝謝伊甸，相信在未來的一年我們將因為和伊甸的交流與合作寫下生命中難以忘懷的一頁。

國際人才研習計劃專員 余宜家

080826伊甸基金會翻譯志工訓練課程-英翻中

伊甸基金會翻譯志工訓練課程-英翻中

複雜長句的譯法

-英文長句的表達方式：因為英文結構緊湊嚴密，常用連接詞、介系詞片語、分詞、不定詞片語、或關係代名詞等，連結主要子句與附屬子句。

-中文的長句表達方式：以簡短的句子，按時間先後，逐步交代前因後果。

-將英文長句翻譯成中文的方式：找出全句的中心思想，分析各環節間的關係，然後依據時間與邏輯順序，按照中文的敘述習慣重新排列組合。

1. 順序譯法：有時候中英文的邏輯與時間表達的方式順序相同，此時就可以先以概念為單位，將長句切斷，依照原本的順序翻譯即可。但要注意形容詞的位置，英文通常是後位修飾，中文則採前位修飾。

Translation exercise: A. The rapid spread of the virus, which has now erupted in ten Asian countries and killed eighty people, prompted the World Health Organization and two other international organizations to ask for money and expertise to fight an all-out war against it. B. Research by many experts shows that in comparison with people under long-term pressure, those who regularly practice relaxation techniques make approximately half as many trips to the hospital, have 80% less chance of contracting heart disease, and 50% less chance of getting cancer.

2. 逆序譯法：中英文敘事方式相反時，採用逆序譯法。

因果關係: 英文先說結果，再交代原因或條件；中文相反

評論或辯論: 英文先說結論或評語，才加以闡述；中文相反

時間子句:先說狀況，才交代時間；中文相反

句子重點: 英文先交代重點，在陳述次要或輔助的概念；中文相反，中文習慣先點明事情發生的時間、地點、原因、條件，將來龍去脈交代清楚，也就是會將主要概念放在後面。

Translation exercise: A. Expectations were high that the days were over when people had to pull cumbersome suitcases up the steps of highway crosswalks, dive down underground walkways and climb staircases to platform areas. B. Our steps in space have been a symbol of this country’s way of life as we open our doors and windows to the world to view our successes and failures and as we share with all nations our discovery.

3. 分句譯法: 將長句中某些很難順譯的部分，也許是單字、片語或分詞構句，從主要子句中拉出來，另外翻譯成一句，可以放在句首或句尾，使得譯文通暢，其他部分則可以採順序譯法。

Translation exercise: A. He strongly believed that museums have the potential to inspire their audience, to open people’s minds – unusual in the current climate, where museums are often obsessed with showing “relevant” exhibitions and pulling visitors in by whatever means possible. B. When Jackson got drunk, he would beat his wife and children, and the next morning, with a headache, he would curse the world for its neglect of his genius, and abuse, with a good deal of cleverness, and sometimes with perfect reason, his fellow artists.

4. 重組譯法: 若是進行英文中譯時，上述方法都無法達到行文流暢時，就要採用重組譯法。重組意即先將英文原意完全理解，再按照中文的敘事習慣與邏輯，重新排列組合，重組後的譯文，很難看出原文的語法結構與層次，可以使譯文脫離原文形式的束縛，擺脫翻譯腔。

Translation exercise: A. Led by Sammy Sosa, the Chicago Cubs outfielder who, together with Mark McGuire, dazzled U.S. fans this year in a dramatic home-run shootout, twenty-eight of America’s finest players invaded Japan for eight exhibition games in Tokyo, Fukuoka, and Osaka. B. Computer languages may range from detailed low level close to that immediately understood by the particular computer, to the sophisticated high level which can be rendered automatically acceptable to a wide range of computer. More translation exercise: 1. Melatonin(褪黑激素), a hormone used to prevent insomnia, became a craze a few years ago, when on the basis of studies with mice and rats, some researchers hailed it as a miracle cure for aging. 2. Although the rainfall has not been enough to help reservoirs in the region take in sufficient water, the weather, coupled with a 3 percent reduction in water supply to heavy users in the park, has helped them slow the pace of water evaporation. 3. There aren’t many museums like the British Museum, which has the ambition to represent the chronological length and cultural breadth of the collections of humankind. 4. At least 244 Muslim pilgrims were crushed to death and the same number injured in a human tide during a ritual at the climax of the annual pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia on Sunday. 5. In an effort to attract dieters, some McDonald’s restaurants in New York began displaying posters and brochures that show how the company’s products can fit into low-carbohydrate, low-fat and low-calorie meal plans. 6. The announcement that Hong Kong’s economy in the first quarter shrank more than 2.8% from a year earlier has shocked locals accustomed to the belief that the territory was an ever-evolving, unsinkable entrepot. (entrepot: 貨物集散地) 7. As they are on all trips and especially the long hauls, the flight attendants are trained to keep an eye out for passengers who aren’t handling the flight well: then the crew will engage them in conversation, offer then a drink or something to eat – all designed to lower the travelers’ stress level. 8. The success of the Harry Potter movie is used as evidence that a bunch of muggles are ruining their children’s ability to imagine for themselves what happens inside a book or tainting their desire to ever pick one up. (muggles:麻瓜,指不會巫術的凡人)

Eden urged the government strengthen training programs for PWDs

Eden Social Welfare Foundation organized The 1st International CEO with Disabilities Symposium on 2nd and 3rd August in Taipei and Taichung to push for the government to build up training programs for people with disabilities as they desire to join the job market. People with disabilities need training for more advanced and sophisticated skills that meet the requirements of the jobs in society, said Eden. "Having a mental or physical disability is not equal to lack of capability," said Eden's chief executive officer, Mr. Huang Jow-song, who believed that the value of the labor of workers with disabilities should be re-evaluated.

Famous advertising executive Jerry Fan, himself confined to a wheelchair, urged Corporate to hire more people with disabilities, for they are stable and optimistic. "If you think that blind people can only work as masseurs, they will never have a chance to do other things," said Jerry Fan. According to a survey that Eden conducted in July. There are more than 70 percent of employers are satisfied with the attitudes of workers with disabilities on the job. Yet, many of them, also criticized professional training programs for people with disabilities as not meeting their needs. Dorothy Tao, president of the Chinese Human Resource Management Association, expressed that the training programs provided by the government and welfare organizations may be outdated and not aligned with Taiwan's labor market. It is also very important to strengthen cooperation between the government, welfare organizations and the private sector to raise the employment rate of people with disabilities.

國際新聞－印度版Vogue 消費窮人

印度版Vogue 消費窮人 更新日期:2008/09/02 04:18 紐約時報報導，8月號的印度版Vogue雜誌用衣衫襤褸的窮人當模特兒，展示名牌包包和配件，引起印度輿論撻伐，也暴露奢侈品在貧富懸殊的印度拓展市場的窘境。 一位缺了門牙的老婦人抱著一個小孩，老婦人穿著粗布衣，但小孩身上竟圍了一件Fendi的圍兜，零售價約100美元（台幣3000元）。 一家三口擠在一輛機車上，母親沒戴安全帽，卻拎了一只愛瑪仕（Hermes）柏金包（Birkin bag），一般售價逾一萬美元（台幣30萬元）。 在另一場景，一位缺牙、打赤腳的男人，拿了一把Burberry雨傘，售價約200美元（台幣6000元）。 Vogue雜誌刊出16頁的名牌包、鑲珠寶的手拿包和象徵身分地位的雨傘，卻沒有找職業模特兒或買得起這些配件的有錢人當模特兒，而是找一般市井小民入鏡。 印度「今日郵報」專欄作家康妮卡．加勞特寫到：「這種作法不僅俗氣，而且品味低下。」她接受電話訪問說，讓住在泥土屋裡的窮人穿上亞歷山大．麥昆（Alexander McQueen）設計的衣服，「一點也不有趣」、「印度有很多農民因欠債自殺。」 印度版Vogue總編輯普莉亞．唐納為雜誌辯護說：「放輕鬆點。」她說，Vogue明白時尚的力量，這些照片要傳達的是，「時尚不再是富人的專利，人人都能追求時尚穿出美麗」。根據世界銀行上周的資料，近半數，約4.56億的印度人，每天生活費不到1.25美元（台幣40元）。如何在仍有很多人挨餓的國家，促銷一只1000美元（台幣3萬元）的包包？Vogue的作法恐怕會踢到鐵板。 本則新聞由聯合新聞網提供 2008/09/02

國際事務志工培訓課程講義

Definition and History Etiquette is a code that governs the expectations of social behavior, according to the conventional norm within a society, social class, or group. Usually unwritten, it may be codified in written form. Etiquette usually reflects formulas of conduct in which society or tradition have invested. An etiquette may reflect an underlying ethical code, or may grow more as a fashion, as in eighteenth century Britain where apparently pointless acts like the manner in which a tea cup was held became important as indicators of upper class status. Like "culture," it is a word that has gradually grown plural, especially in a multi-ethnic society with many clashing expectations. Thus, it is now possible to refer to "an etiquette" or "a culture," realizing that these may not be universal. In Britain, though, the word etiquette has its roots in the eighteenth century, becoming a universal force in the nineteenth century to the extent that it has been described as the one word that aptly describes life during the reign of Queen Victoria. Norms and effects of etiquette Etiquette fundamentally prescribes and restricts the ways in which people interact with each other, and show their respect for other people by conforming to the norms of society. Modern etiquette instructs people to greet friends and acquaintances with warmth and respect, refrain from insults and prying curiosity, offer hospitality equally and generously to guests, wear clothing suited to the occasion, contribute to conversations without dominating them, offer assistance to those in need, eat neatly and quietly, avoid disturbing others with unnecessary noise, follow the established rules of an organization upon becoming a member, arrive promptly when expected, comfort the bereaved, and respond to invitations promptly. Violations of etiquette, if severe, can cause public disgrace, and in private hurt individual feelings, create misunderstandings or real grief and pain, and even escalate into murderous rage. Many family feuds have their beginnings in trivial etiquette violations that were blown out of proportion. In the West, the notion of etiquette, being of French origin and arising from practices at the court of Louis XIV, is occasionally disparaged as old-fashioned or elite, a code concerned only with "which fork to use." Some people consider etiquette to be an unnecessary restriction of freedom of personal expression; others consider such free spirits to be unmannerly and rude. For instance, wearing pajamas to a wedding in a cathedral may be an expression of the guest's freedom, but may also cause the bride and groom to suspect that the guest in pajamas is expressing amusement or disparagement towards them and their wedding. Etiquette may be enforced in pragmatic ways: "No shoes, no shirt, no service" is a notice commonly displayed outside stores and cafés in the warmer parts of North America. Others feel that a single, basic code shared by all makes life simpler and more pleasant by removing many chances for misunderstandings. Etiquette may be wielded as a social weapon. The outward adoption of the superficial mannerisms of an in-group, in the interests of social advancement rather than a concern for others, is a form of snobbism, lacking in virtue. Faux Pas A faux pas is a violation of accepted, although unwritten, social rules. Faux pas vary widely from culture to culture and what is considered good manners in one culture can be considered a faux pas in another. For example, in English-speaking Western countries, it is sometimes considered a thoughtful gesture to bring a bottle of wine when going to someone's house for dinner. In France, however, this is considered insulting as it suggests the hosts are unable to provide their own good wine. However, bringing flowers to the hostess is rarely a faux pas, although sometimes one needs to be careful what kind of flowers to bring. The term comes from French and literally means "false step." However, it is a formal rather than everyday expression in French and does not generally have the figurative meaning used in English. It is occasionally employed to describe a physical loss of balance or general mistakes (for instance: mes faux pas dans la vie, the mistakes I made in my life). If one uses faux pas with the English meaning in France, people might think it was a slight grammatical mistake with faut pas, the colloquial pronunciation of il ne faut pas, meaning “must not” in English. For faux pas with the English meaning, the French would usually say gaffe or erreur. In countries with a language that contains a T-V distinction, it is a faux pas to use the informal second person pronoun instead of the formal second person pronoun when addressing an elder or stranger. Cultural and Individual Differences Etiquette is dependent on culture; what is excellent etiquette in one society may shock in another. Etiquette evolves within culture. Etiquette can vary widely between different cultures and nations. In China, a person who takes the last item of food from a common plate or bowl without first offering it to others at the table may be seen as a glutton and insulting the generosity of the host. Similarly, amongst older Australian women, a woman who takes the last item of food is called the old spinster, while in most European cultures a guest is expected to eat all of the food given to them, as a compliment to the quality of the cooking. As expectations regarding good manners differ from person to person and vary according to each situation, no treatise on the rules of etiquette nor any list of potential faux pas can ever be complete. To avoid giving offense, it is best to use a conservative and observant approach in any social situation where one is unfamiliar with cultural expectations. Faux pas in the following areas are common around the world. The specifics vary from place to place, but these are all areas of human activity in which faux pas can be committed whether traveling across the globe or visiting with a next door neighbor. As the perception of behaviors and actions vary, intercultural competence is essential. Consideration Etiquette begins with some sensitivity to the perceptions and feelings of others and the intention not to offend. This includes consideration in the following areas: 1. Creating unwanted distractions by talking loudly in a quiet restaurant, using a mobile phone in a theater, or idly drumming one’s fingers on a pew during church services. 2. Failing to consider when another’s preferences or habits differ from one’s own in such ways as subjecting an entire train load of people to one’s own music, heavily spicing a meal to be shared by many with one’s own favorite seasoning (such as fish sauce or garlic), or making a phonecall too late at night or early in the morning for the recipient’s schedule. 3. Willfully introducing a potentially noxious element such as a crying baby, a lit cigarette or an ill-behaved dog into an environment where it is neither expected nor desired. 4. Ignoring social obligations such as meeting a friend at a pre-appointed time, acknowledging the birthday of a close relative with a greeting card or some congratulatory token, or text messaging to the detriment of a face-to-face conversation. While the concept of consideration is universal, expectations in this regard vary along cultural lines. For example, many Finns are relatively soft-spoken and reserved. Therefore, a conversation that would seem rudely boisterous in Helsinki might not be seen as such where people typically express themselves with more gusto, such as a Puerto Rican community. Dress In some countries, shoes are removed when entering a home. Depending on the culture, they may be removed outside the door or inside the foyer. Elsewhere, removing one's shoes might be a faux pas. Men's hats commonly need to be removed in various circumstances such attending a church service or funeral, when eating dinner, etc. In some places, wearing a hat indoors in any situation is considered impolite. Conversely, there are places where men are expected to wear some sort of head covering, especially in relation to Jewish and Muslim holy places. Many circumstances limit the amount of skin considered appropriate in a given situation. For both men and women, the choice to wear revealing clothes (i.e., short pants, small t-shirts, short skirts, etc.) risks a breach of etiquette when one is unfamiliar with the circumstances. For example, short pants that are quite acceptable in a laid-back seaside resort might raise eyebrows in a stuffy restaurant or conservative household a few miles inland. Enthusiasm The amount of enthusiasm or restraint one displays in such situations as greeting people, saying thank you, and giving compliments can constitute a faux pas in certain situations. Some people say goodbye with hugs and kisses, others say it with a grunt and a nod of the head. Both the kissers and the grunters might be committing a faux pas depending upon the setting and the expectations of others. Some generalizations about this matter on a country-by-country basis might be helpful, but is a matter in which individual personalities matter a great deal. Accordingly, one should be observant on a per-situation basis to avoid committing a faux pas. Behaving enthusiastically towards strangers is considered shallow and insincere by many northern Europeans. Gift giving Giving and receiving gifts can be a complex matter. In some places (such as Japan and Colombia) it is a faux pas to open a gift in front of the giver. Elsewhere it is a faux pas not to do so. Ask the locals. In most places, it is inappropriate to indicate the value of your gifts by failing to remove the price tag. Certain presents are taboo in some situations. For example, certain gifts conflict with the belief system of many Chinese people regarding good luck and bad luck. Other gifts are taboo for different reasons, such as a man in North America giving red roses to a woman married to another man, as such a gift connotes romantic intentions. Giving cutlery to an Argentine will be symbolically interpreted that the giver has decided to end the relationship. Humor Humor is a delicate art. Attempts at humor in unfamiliar situations are always risky. Deprecating humor always involves a risk of offense. For example, a Canadian with four Filipino friends might get a bad reaction when making a joke based on Filipino stereotypes, even after hearing these four friends engage in this humor over a long period of time. Deprecating humor can offend even when the listener is not the subject of the humor. For example, a joke at the expense of gay people might offend some straight people as well. Imitation is often not flattering. Scots are unlikely to enjoy a Californian’s impersonation of Billy Connolly, nor are Californians likely to enjoy a Scot’s impersonation of Moon Unit Zappa. Risqué means risky, and it is. What is acceptably risqué not only varies from place to place, it varies from person to person. Overstepping the bounds of sexual or scatological humor is among the most serious faux pas one can commit. Lastly, be mindful that people who appear amused might actually be offended but prefer not to show offense either out of nervousness or as a point of etiquette. Inquisition Asking questions can be a way to express curiosity, concern and enthusiasm. However, questions about a person's age, employment status, marital/romantic situation, place of residence and other personal matters can be a faux pas. Although this sort of information-sharing is somewhat dependent on cultural background, individual personality plays a great role as well. Language Most faux pas involving language belong more to a language textbook than this list; nevertheless, a few are sufficiently likely to be committed by people who haven't mastered a language that they merit mention. Some languages mark familiarity and/or respect using T-V distinction. This often applies to common phrases such as "how are you" that are sometimes learned in isolation (such as from phrase books). Which part of name and/or title to use to address people can be problematic. Some languages distinguish male and female forms of surnames. Many cultures put surnames first. Most languages use forms of address which don’t directly correspond with the titles such as Mr., Miss, Mrs., and Ms. that are familiar to speakers of English. Be especially careful when addressing people who have higher social status (such as one’s employer) and people who are older. This applies not only in regard to forms of address but to what slang words and topics might be inappropriate. Lumping & Splitting There are many issues involved with failing to discern people with one ethnic, national, religious, linguistic or cultural identity with others who don't share their identity. New Zealanders rarely appreciate being called Australian, most Guatemalans won't like being called Mexicans, and so on. Some of these of issues can be as obvious as failing to differentiate between Korean people and Japanese people. Although “lumping” is the biggest danger, sometimes “splitting” can result in a faux pas instead. An example might be trying to discern whether someone is Irish Catholic or Anglo-Irish. When in doubt, avoid characterizing people according to a cultural identity. Make inquiries regarding identity carefully (if at all) and with consideration about how close a relationship you have with the person being questioned. Taking Offense Warnings against committing faux pas work both ways. Failing to recognize that one has committed a faux pas might lead the observer to believe that one is willfully rude, annoying, inconsiderate, etc. Acting upon this misbelief is essentially a second faux pas committed in reaction to the first. Specific Situations Business etiquette Business etiquette is the behavior to be followed in the business world and corporate culture. It is made up of significantly more important things than knowing which fork to use at lunch with a client. It is about dressings, table manners, courtesy, soft-skills, inter-personal skills, trans-national and trans-cultural understanding, etc. It is important, as today's business is global and all about connecting, which has crossed all cultural and continental boundaries. People are a key factor in one's own business success. Many potentially worthwhile and profitable alliances have been lost because of an unintentional breach of manners. Office etiquette As is the case with etiquette in general, office etiquette is the set of written and unwritten rules of conduct that make social interactions run more smoothly. Office etiquette is different from business etiquette in that office etiquette usually applies to interacting with coworkers whereas business etiquette is for interacting with external contacts such as customers and suppliers. The conventions of office etiquette address unique, office environmental issues such as cubicle life, usage of common areas, meetings and meeting protocol, and social interaction within the context of a work setting. The rules of office etiquette may vary by region, office size, business specialty, company policy, and, to a certain degree, various laws governing the workplace. Larger organizations tend to have stricter, expressly written rules on etiquette. Each company will have its own subset of rules usually based loosely on the company’s management and legal compliance models. Office etiquette also varies based on the customs and culture of the region. An example is using the middle finger to point, which would be considered giving others "the finger" in the United States. Often people of different cultures will attempt to adapt to the customs and manners of the region they are in. The following is a list of some of the conventions associated with office etiquette: 1. Dress in the manner accepted for your area of work. 49% of employers surveyed in 2005 by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that non-traditional attire would be a "strong influence" on their opinion of a potential job candidate. 2. Attempt to be quiet in areas where people are on the phone or need concentration. This applies to activities such as using cellphones, listening to music, eating, and conversations with other coworkers. 3. Install “Printer Etiquette.” This phrase has been used widely in South Australia, and refers to giving preferential treatment to workers printing only one page at a time, ahead of those priting out large documents, such as Asset Lists. 4. Respect others' time. Be on time to meetings. When in meetings, if a subject comes up that is taking time and is only useful to a small subset of users then request to take that conversation offline. 5. Attempt to limit introducing strong smells into the work area. Strong perfume, excessive body odor, and very fragrant flowers can offend others. Culinary odors such as fast food, sesame oil, and microwave popcorn can also be very unpleasant. 6. Be considerate when using communal areas such as kitchens/breakrooms and restrooms. Don't leave food on the counter or in the sink for extended periods of time. Be sure to clear away dirty dishes, food wrappers and spills as quickly as possible. Be sure to always make sure toilets are flushed before leaving the area. Don't leave used paper towels, facial tissues, seat covers or toilet paper laying around for other people to deal with. Women should ensure that used sanitary supplies are always wrapped and out of sight. Netiquette Netiquette (a neologism and a portmanteau which some claim is formed from "network etiquette," though the more common usage is "Internet etiquette") is a catch-all term for the conventions of politeness and respect recognized on the Internet. These conventions address the relationship between personal behavior and group phenomena, and outline a dynamic set of guidelines for conduct that is conducive to pleasant, efficient and agreeable interaction. A business e-mail account should not be used for personal correspondence. Since e-mails from a business account are considered official company communications, they may be monitored. If the original message was sent to multiple recipients, one should only reply to users for whom your message is pertinent. One should ask first before sending large attachments, unless the recipient requests attachments (for example, human resources personnel typically want a resume attached when the sender is applying for a position). For mailing list administrators, including instructions for unsubscribing at the bottom of messages is considered good form One should not use all UPPERCASE letters in an email. Uppercase letters imply shouting and may be considered rude. Subject lines are critical to proper email etiquette. A subject line should include a pertinent few words summarizing the subject of the email. When one replies to emails, they should always make certain the subject line of the email is still relevant to the reply. When one has not received a reply to a business email, it is customary to send an inquiry message within two to five business days if a reply is expected. This provides the recipient with a polite reminder and a backup in case the original message was overlooked, intercepted, or inadvertently deleted. Conversely, if a recipient cannot answer an email immediately, it is polite to reply with a short email confirming the email was received, following with a more complete reply when possible. Email content should be universally accessible. Not all computers are up to date and thus, in general email should not contain non-standard extensions. The BCC: "Blind Carbon Copy" field should be used when sending to many people; when the recipients do not necessarily know each other; or in general when any replies should only come back to the sender. This prevents each recipient from having access to the email addresses of the other recipients, limiting the potential for harvesting and avoiding an invasion of privacy. Table Manners Table manners are the etiquette used when eating. This includes the appropriate use of utensils. Different cultures have different standards for table manners. Many table manners evolved out of practicality. For example, it is generally impolite to put elbows on tables since doing so creates a risk of tipping over bowls and cups. Within different families or groups, there may be less rigorous enforcement of some traditional table manners of their culture while still maintaining others. For example, some families ignore elbows on the table or mixing of foods. Fork Etiquette In Western etiquette, there are two primary styles for using a knife and fork while eating. The style used mostly in the United States of America, which sometimes called the zigzag method, differs from the style mostly used in the rest of the western world including Europe and British Commonwealth countries. In America, the knife is held in the right hand and the fork in the left. Holding food to the plate with the fork, a single bite-sized piece is cut with the knife. The knife is then placed on the table towards the top and right of the plate and the fork transferred to the right hand, with the left hand falling to the lap of the diner. The cut piece is then eaten using the fork, wielded in a “spoon-like” manner rather than to impale the food. The process is then repeated as necessary. A left-handed diner can retain the fork in the stronger hand, although the knife is still released. To avoid the constant switching of the fork, it is common to see some people cut up multiple pieces of food at once before switching hands and eating, though this is not universally accepted. While cutting, the fork is usually held upside down with the handle along the palm and the index finger pressing down at the neck of the handle. Because most forks have a curve this will point the tines downward into the food. Depending on how soft the food is, some Americans choose to disregard the knife entirely, using a fork in their right hand and cutting their food by pressing down with the edge of their fork. Sawing at the food in this way is considered bad form. The European manner is to hold the knife and fork, in the right and left hands respectively, throughout consumption. The hand grasp is also different. In Europe, it is considered better manners not to hold a knife or fork as one would hold a pen, but to have the handle running along the palm and extending out to be held by thumb and forefinger. This style is sometimes called “hidden handle.” This method is also common in Canada and other former parts of the British Empire. In contrast to the American method of using a fork much like a spoon (tines up), the British primarily use the fork with tines facing away from the user (tines down). Tables are often set with two or more forks, meant to be used for different courses; for example, a salad fork and meat fork. Some institutions wishing to give an impression of high formality set places with many different forks for meals of several courses, although many etiquette authorities regard this as vulgar and prefer that the appropriate cutlery be brought in with each course. It should not be necessary for the diner to distinguish between types of forks; forks are used in order from outside to inside, with the exception of oyster forks, which are placed on the right-hand side in the bowl of a spoon. Vocabulary codify (v): to reduce to a code; to classify clash (v): to come into conflict, to be incompatible aptly (adv): unusually fitted or qualified, readily, fittingly; suited to a purpose, being to the point fundamentally (adv): serving as an original or generating source, primarily; serving as a basis,basically prescribe (v): to lay down a rule, dictate; to lay down as a guide, direction, or rule of action, to ordain conform (v): to be obedient or compliant, to act in accordance with prevailing standards or customs norm (n): an authoritative standard, model; a principle of right action binding upon members of a group refrain (v): to keep oneself from doing, feeling, or indulging in something pry (v): to look closely or inquisitively, to make a nosy or presumptuous inquiry bereave (n): one who is suffering the death of a loved one escalate (v): to increase in extent, volume, number, amount, intensity, or scope, to expand feud (n): mutual enmity or quarrel that is often prolonged or established blow out of proportion (v phr): to make more than is reasonable, to exaggerate notion (n): an inclusive general concept, a theory or belief held by a person or group disparage (v): to lower in rank or reputation, to degrade; to depreciate by indirect means pragmatic (adj): relating to matters of fact or practical affairs, practical as opposed to idealistic wield (v): to handle especially effectively snobbism (n): act of imitating, admiring, or seeking association with those regarded as superior gesture (n): something said or done by way of formality or courtesy, as a symbol or token literally (adv): in a manner adhering to the ordinary or primary meaning of a term or expression, actually figurative (adj): expressing one thing in terms normally meaning another which may be considered same colloquial (adj): of or relating to conversation, conversational T-V distinction (n phr): characteristic of having informal (tu) and formal (vos) versions of second person evolve (v): to expand by a process of growth, to develop glutton (n): one given habitually to greedy and voracious eating and drinking spinster (n): a woman who seems unlikely to marry treatise (n): a composition with a discussion of facts and principles involved and conclusions reached potential (adj): existing in possibility, capable of development into actuality perception (n): the result of attaining awareness or understanding, observation, or mental image competence (n): the state of having requisite or adequate ability or qualities idly (adv): lacking worth or basis, vain, useless drum (v): to strike or tap repeatedly pew (n): one of the benches and sometimes doors fixed in rows in a church noxious (adj): disagreeable, obnoxious pre-appointed (adj): fixed or set officially beforehand token (n): souvenir, keepsake; an outward sign or expression detriment (n): injury, damage boisterous (adj): noisily turbulent, rowdy, marked by or expressive of exuberance and high spirits gusto (n): enthusiastic and vigorous enjoyment or appreciation conversely (adv): having the opposite order, relation, or action breach (n): infraction or violation of a law, obligation, tie, or standard laid-back (adj): having a relaxed style or character stuffy (adj): narrowly inflexible in standards of conduct, self-righteous, stiffly conventional grunt (n): deep short sound characteristic of a hog accordingly (adv): in agreement or conformity, correspondingly shallow (adj): lacking in depth of knowledge, thought, or feeling taboo (adj): banned on grounds of morality or taste connote (v): to convey in addition to exact explicit meaning cutlery (n): tools for cutting and eating food deprecating (adj): playing down, belittling, disparaging stereotype (n): a standardized mental picture that is oversimplified, prejudiced, or uncritical impersonation (n): the act of assuming the character of another scatological (adj): relating to the interest in or treatment of obscene matters especially in literature cubicle (n): a small partitioned space, especially one with a desk used for work in a business office protocol (n): a code prescribing strict adherence to correct etiquette and precedence context (n): the interrelated conditions in which something exists or occurs, environment, setting compliance (n): the act or process of conforming to a desire, demand, proposal, or regimen convention (n): usage or custom especially in social matters, a rule of conduct or behavior attire (n): dress, clothes, especially splendid or decorative clothing install (v): to establish in an indicated place, condition, or status preferential (adj): the state of being liked better or best culinary (adj): of or relating to the kitchen or cookery communal (adj): participated in, shared, or used in common by members of a group or community neologism (n): a new word, usage, or expression portmanteau (n): a word whose form and meaning are derived from blending two or more words catch-all (adj phr): something that holds or includes odds and ends or a wide variety of things phenomenon (n): an observable fact or event dynamic (adj): marked by usually continuous and productive activity or change conducive (adj): tending to promote or assist correspondence (n): communication by letters inquiry (n): a request for information intercept (v): to stop, seize, or interrupt in progress or course or before arrival conversely (adv): reversed in order, relation, or action accessible (adj): capable of being reached; capable of being understood or appreciated harvesting (v): to gather or accumulate rigorous (adj): manifesting or exercising inflexibility in opinion, temper, or judgment, very strict impale (v): to pierce with or as if with something pointed tine (n): a slender pointed projecting part, prong respectively (adv): in the order given implement (n): a device used in the performance of a task, tool, utensil institution (n): an establishment vulgar (adj): lacking in cultivation, perception, or taste, coarse; ostentatious or excessive, pretentious