a) What does WRIST stand for? 

WRIST is the World Restaurant International Sign Technique, an ancient form of communication. 

b) Is it a well-known abbreviation? 

The abbreviation is not well-known.

c) Can you make the gesture which is described in the article?

Yes, because it is the only way to communicate.

2 Work with a partner. Read the next part of the article and try to make the gestures described. Guess the meaning of each gesture and complete the text.

1 an express 

2 dinner date 

3 bottle wine

4 bill 

5 your bill 

3 In each of the following lists there is one noun that does not usually collocate with the verb. Cross it out. Use a dictionary if necessary.

a) bend your elbows / hair / legs / knees 

b) hold your hand / head / thumb / ear up 

c) shake your finger / fist / head / toes 

d) stick your chest / eyes / leg / tongue out 

e) clench your fist / hands / teeth / shoulders 

f) raise your arm / eyebrows / hand / tongue

 

It bothers me when people rush me, yell at me, lie to me, or ignore me when I talk to them.

Mariana Álvarez Félix

• Christmas has lost its meaning 

• Marriage is an outdated institution 

In Tabasco, traditions are celebrated with great care since they are very important and are always expected with excitement since many people feel that happiness of being with their families celebrating or friends, although many families may feel a sense of disconnection since the fast changes in society have greatly affected the ways in which we celebrate our cultural traditions and our pride. Most traditions involve a sense of family togetherness and support through dinners, religious activities, rites of passage, and much more. In my opinion, traditions should be kept alive because it is something that will always remind us of where we are from, our culture or something in particular, likewise it is very important that they are kept alive as it represents us and makes us distinguish from other countries. I also believe that traditions should not only be stabilized alive for these reasons but also because in this way it helps us to maintain our language. Each of the traditions have a valuable meaning that represents them, without traditions our culture would be dead, since what represents us as Tabasco is our way of language and most importantly our culture and its traditions.

Mariana Álvarez Félix

It depends how big they are.

Image you were the customer in this situation. How would you have reacted?

I think I would have reacted angry. 

2 Read the questions about restaurant experiences and think about your answers. 

Have you ever ... 

a) had problems with a waiter? 

No, I haven’t had problems with a waiter.

b) sent the wine back? 

No, I haven’t.

c) told the waiter the food was lovely, but in fact it wasn't very good? 

No, I haven’t done that.

d) refused to pay for a meal? 

No, I haven’t refused to pay for a meal.

e) flirted with the waiter or waitress? 

No, I haven’t flirted with the waiter.

f) asked the waiter to send your compliments to the chef? 

No, I haven’t.

g) decided not to tip the waiter? 

No, I haven’t. I have always decided to tip the waiter.

h) felt annoyed by noisy children sitting near you? 

No, I haven’t.

i) pointed at the menu to indicate what you want because you couldn't pronounce it? 

Yes, I have pointed the menu for that reason. 

j) taken a seat in a restaurant, looked at the menu, realised it was too expensive and left?

No, I haven’t. 

Mariana Álvarez Félix