Lesson35 A Sense of Security

Some people take the view that sometimes in life we have to take chances in order to make progress. I admire such people. It certainly takes courage to take risks. Maybe it’s due to my upbringing, but I am the type who likes to play it safe.

People like me believe in the saying, " A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." Conservative as it may be, it keeps me out of trouble. I must confess, however, that such a lifestyle may, at times, be boring. Admittedly, my life is not half as colorful or exciting as other people’s, but at least it gives me a sense of security.

Lesson 36 The Sex Maniac

Fashion never ceases to surprise me. Recently, a fashion designer came up with another strange creation.

His idea comes straight from the garbage dump, so to speak. He makes sweaters from used plastic bottles. What a weird sweater that’s going to be!

This new kind of sweater will protect you from the rain and cold. They will, therefore, be especially attractive to outdoor people such as fishermen, hunters and mountain climbers. However, they’re not cheap.

They sell at prices ranging from US$100 to US$150. What a great idea for making money! Don’t you think?

Lesson 37 Garbage Could Mean Money

Fashion never ceases to surprise me. Recently, a fashion designer came up with another strange creation.

His idea comes straight from the garbage dump, so to speak. He makes sweaters from used plastic bottles. What a weird sweater that’s going to be!

This new kind of sweater will protect you from the rain and cold. They will, therefore, be especially attractive to outdoor people such as fishermen, hunters and mountain climbers. However, they’re not cheap.

They sell at prices ranging from US$100 to US$150. What a great idea for making money! Don’t you think?

Lesson 38 That’s Fashion

Andy and Jess are at a fashion designer’s party.

A: My God, Jess. What’s that on Betty’s head?

J: Beats me. How weird! I think it’s a new kind of hat.

A: Oh, really? If you ask me, it’s more like a bird’s nest. How stupid it looks!

J: you think so? Hey, wait a minute. You might be right. There’s something moving in the nest... I mean, hat.

A: Gee whiz! It’s a bird.

J: Holy cow! How does she keep it from flying away?

A: Don’t you see! She’s got it fastened to a gold chain around her neck.

J: If the bird were strong enough, it could fly her to the moon, so to speak.

A: That would really be funny.

J: Well, that’s fashion!

Lesson 39 At the Foreign Exchange

When you go abroad, what’s the thing you need most? Money, of course! You’ll need to go to the bank to buy some traveler’s checks. Then when you arrive at your destination, you’ll have to go to a bank to cash the checks. Every bank has a foreign exchange department. However, you’ll have to speak with the teller in English because he or she will probably not understand Chinese.

You should, therefore, brush up on some of the words and phrases that are commonly used when changing money at a bank. For example, you might want to know what the day’s exchange rate is, or if there are any handling charges, etc. worried? Don’t be. Our next lesson will give you a good idea of what you need to say and how to say it.

Lesson 40 Changing Money

Ritchie Li is at a bank in Australia. He tries not to show how nervous he is about speaking English.

R: Excuse me, miss. I would like to change 500 US dollars into Australian dollars, please.

T: Are you changing cash or traveler’s checks?

R: Traveler’s checks.

T: Can I have a look at you passport?

R: Sure. Here you are. By the way, do you charge any commission?

T: Not at this bank. Please sign here on your checks. How do you want your money?

R: four one-hundred-dollar bills and the rest in smaller bills, please.

T: Here you are, sir.

R: Thanks. You’ve been very helpful.

T: Thank you. Have a nice day.

R: You too. Goodbye. (Ritchie says to himself)

Whew! That wasn’t so difficult after all.

Lesson 41 Getting a Tan

Both my brother and I are outgoing people. He as well as I likes being in the sun. It goes without saying, therefore, that we spend a lot of our free time at the beach. We go there to relax as well as to keep fit. To be frank, though, he no less than I enjoys looking at the beautiful "scenery" around the beach.

However, if you are anything like us, we have a piece of advice for you. Don’t forget to rub a good amount of sunscreen lotion all over your body. Not only does it protect you from getting skin cancer, but it also helps to keep you nicely tanned. Both my brother and I forgot to do that and now we look like Afro-Americans rather than Chinese.

Lesson 42 Roast Beef

My brother, Luke, goes to see his girlfriend, Daisy.

D: What on earth happened to you?

L: Oh, I just had a lazy day at the beach.

D: My goodness! You’re really burnt. Are you alright?

L: Well, yes, but I feel like I’ve been roasted.

D: In that case, let’s eat in rather than go out for dinner.

L: Up to you.

D: What would you like to eat?

L: Uh…

D: How about your favorite: roast beef?

L: Uh... Not today, please.

D: Ok. I understand.

Lesson 43 Hi-tech Romance

Both Charlene and Robert are librarians. Charlene is from America and Robert is from Australia. Four days after they met face to face for the first time, they got married. "That was quick," you might think.

Actually, they had known each other for nine months before they met. Thanks to e-mail (electronic mail), they had been corresponding with each other through their computers.

It all started when Charlene came across Robert’s note in her computer. She replied to it. From then on, they would not only get in touch but flirt with each other. That was how this "hi-tech" romance began. Sound interesting? Well, if you’re looking for a spouse, why not give it a try? Who knows? You might be just as lucky as Charlene and Robert.

Lesson 44 Better off with E-mai

Steve is chatting with his sister, Diana.

S: Gee, Diana, you’re always at home. Don’t you have any friends to go out with?

D: Sure, I do. But all my friends are either out shopping or they’re boring. And you know I hate shopping.

S: Get a boyfriend. I’m sure you won’t be bored then.

D: Actually, I want to meet some interesting guys but I don’t know how to.

S: Why don’t you try E-mail? You might get lucky.

D: I don’t think so. Besides, dating through e-mail is neither personal nor romantic. Why don’t you introduce me to some of your friends?

S: Why didn’t I think of that? How about my best friend, Fred?

D: Uh… maybe I’ll be better off with e-mail.

Lesson 45 Tough Guys Do Dance

Not only is Thai boxing violent but it is also bloody. Yet it involves the arts of dance and music. It is both ugly and beautiful at the same time. That’s why it’s so exciting to watch.

Thai boxing was created by soldiers over five hundred years ago. The fighter use every part of their bodies, especially their feet, knees and elbows to strike their opponents. Their deadly style has earned them respect from other martial artists.

Surprisingly, the fights start off with a graceful dance. The dance is in honor of the boxers’ teachers.

There is even a small band which plays along with the dance and during the fight. So, who says tough guys don’t dance?

Lesson 46 Anything for a Kiss

Martin and Sally have just watched Thai Boxing.

M: How did you like the fight, Sally?

S: I found it not only too violent but also very brutal.

M: You’re right. It’s amazing how the fighters can take not only the punching but all the kicking as well.

I wouldn’t be able to handle it.

S: Oh, don’t be so modest, Martin.

M: No, really. I wouldn’t fight one of those tough guys for all the money in the world.

S: Would you do it for a kiss?

M: That’s a different story. Sure, I will. But you’ve got to pay in advance. (Martin tries to kiss Sally.)

S: No, please don’t. I was only kidding.

Lesson 47 Fast-food Talk

Though it is generally accepted that junk food is not healthful, American fast-food restaurants are popping up all over the world. These restaurants are for people who are always in a rush. If they don’t have time to sit down to a regular meal, they race over to the nearest McDonald’s. There they can quickly satisfy their hunger.

Because Americans like things done immediately, they often order their food quickly at fast-food restaurants. They say, "A burger, fries and a coke!" though it’s not polite, it’s efficient. So when you are in the States, try to order this way. After all, in America do as the Americans do.