A) Read the text below to find out about using gestures in different cultures.

1. The "A-OK" sign: With the palm out, the thumb and forefinger are curled into a circle, while the other fingers are extended upwards.

While this means "all's well" in North America, in Japan it signifies money, in France it signifies "zero" or "nothing", and in Denmark or Italy it can be taken as an insult. In Brazil, Guatemala and Paraguay, it is considered very obscene.

2. The “fig” gesture has a number of different meanings. In Brazil, the figa means “good luck”, while in Greece and Turkey it is considered very rude.

3. While the “thumbs up” gesture is used universally by pilots and in many countries by hitch – hikers, in Japan it is used to mean “five”. And in most of the Middle East and parts of Africa (notably Nigeria), this symbol can be obscene.

4. People from different cultures point with various parts of their bodies: their chins, thumbs, or palms, but an Englishman will generally indicate something with his head.

5. The peace sign (also known as "V for victory")
achieved its greatest popularity in North America during the 1960s, when it came to signify "peace". Winston Churchill popularized it in the U.K. earlier, as the "V for victory" sign during the Second World War.

The meaning of this sign does not change in the U.S.A. if it is accidentally done backwards (with the palm in rather than out). However, it becomes an obscene gesture in the U.K. when reversed in this manner. English-speaking Canadians may also recognize this meaning. In a contemporary business setting, it is more likely to be used for its "V for victory" meaning.

b) What meaning do these gestures have in Ukrainian culture? Write a short paragraph explaining how to use gestures in Ukraine.

TAPESCRIPTS

Tapescript 1

a) My Name’s Mary. I am a Canadian woman working in Paris. The difference I notice here is that it is very difficult for a woman to obtain a high position unless she is extremely tough and not very attractive. In my industry – technology you rarely see an attractive woman at a high level position. For a young woman, like myself, who is very ambitious and wants to succeed, I find that being somewhat attractive immediately impedes my chances of success.

b) I’m Josef form Germany. I think the biggest obstacle to women's careers is people's attitudes. Society expects women to take the responsibility of looking after the family, while men earn the bread. Imagine if it was the norm that men stayed at home to take care of the children and do the housework. The topic of debate nowadays would be 'men and their careers'.

c) Hello, I’m Elena from Russia. I am sure a lot of women don't want to be leaders. But if a woman wants something she'll go and get it.

d) Hi! My name is John, I’m Scottish. The only people who succeed in business are the shareholders and the fat cats who sit at the top of the ladder.

e) I’m Nick I live in London. There are fewer women at the top because they still take the lead role in bringing up children. Hopefully this is because they choose to and not because they feel they must. I suspect househusbands are just as rare as businesswomen.

Tapescript 2

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