Primary Scenario Objectives-What Clients Should Learn

• How to say hello and goodbye to acquaintances, friends, and family
• How to introduce oneself and respond to introductions of/by other people

• How to “read” and perform common friendly physical gestures

From the Refugee Perspective – Cultural Norms

• Please explain the American cultural norms regarding public physical contact to your client. For example, he or she should know that many Americans do not practice public displays of affection, so he or should not feel offended if a new friend does not offer hugs or casual kisses right away. Casual kissing may be a common practice in your client’s native culture, so he or she should definitely know that in much of the U.S. it is a rare practice.
• Also, your client should probably know that American males are sometimes vehemently opposed to physical contact with other males, but then again, sometimes it’s fine if the males are good friends or sports buddies.
• Furthermore, do tell your client that many Americans seem to feel strongly about personal space, so he or she should try not to stand too close to people when speaking face to face.
• Explain to your client that in America, it is thought to be rude to not look at someone who is speaking to you. In some other countries, it is disrespectful to look at someone who is speaking to you or to make eye contact, particularly if the speaker is older.

• (Of course none of these norms should be represented as “correct”; these are just some of the ways that many Americans do these things and are no better than the ways of other cultures.)

Scenario Activities

Meet and Greet:

• Use the vocabulary words and phrases below to write out flash cards with your client. Practice writing, reading, and speaking the words and phrases together. Make sure to focus on which social situations call for particular words and phrases (i.e., do not refer to young women as “Mrs.” unless one knows for certain that she is married, do not call professionals by their first names unless told it is alright to do so, don’t say “good morning” after noon, etc.). When your client feels comfortable with the words and phrases, and with the social “rules” guiding the use of each word or phrase, it will be time to role play.

• Have fun. Play out mock greetings, introductions, and goodbyes with each other. Try playing strangers, acquaintances, friends, professionals, classmates, authority figures, and family members. Pretend the meetings are taking place at different times of day as well.

Wordless Communication:

• Show your client examples of common friendly physical gestures carried out on a regular basis in public, such as the wave hello, the come on over arm wave, the index digit indicating a request for patience please. Make sure your client can repeat them and understands their meanings.

• Ask your client to show you how to perform common friendly physical gestures in his or her homeland. That way, you learn part of his or her culture, and you can check to make sure your client will not be “flipping the bird” or worse if he or she uses a gesture common to his or her homeland while in public.

Essential Vocabulary

Hi/Hello/Hey
How are you?
What’s up?
How’s it going?
Good morning/afternoon/evening
I’m fine/well/good/okay.
I’m not well.
I’m sorry to hear that.
My name is…
What is your name?
It’s nice to meet you.
I’m pleased to meet you.
See you later/soon/in the morning/tomorrow/etc.
Have a good afternoon/day/evening/night.

Additional Volunteer Resources:

Refugee Transitions

4ESL.ORG

Dave’s ESL Cafe