UNIT 2.  SOME IMPORTANT HUMAN QUALITIES

 

2.1 Tolerance

 

2.1.2

   

1.  Aunt

My aunt is getting on for sixty, and she’s always been a very dynamic sort of person, but recently she’s started to behave in a rather strange way. A few months ago she took up karate and judo, and now she’s taken to riding a powerful motorbike everywhere she goes. Last week she turned up at my sister’s birthday party dressed in a leather jacket with ‘Hell’s Angels’ written on the back. ‘I’ve come to liven things up,’ she said, and immediately began dancing wildly to loud rock music. My sister found it rather embarrassing.

‘I wish she’d act her age,’ she said. ‘She behaves as if she were sixteen rather than sixty.’ But it doesn’t bother me at all. It takes all sorts to make a world.

 

2. Art Teacher

I remember my art teacher because she was always going on about Van Gogh’s paintings. In fact, they were the only thing she ever talked about and in the end we got rather tired of hearing about them. And for some strange reason we were never allowed to use yellow in our pictures. If we did, she’d stamp her feet and shout: ‘That’s yellow! I won’t have yellow in my class!’

But the main reason I remember her is that she used to pick on my best friend at school. She always chose her to punish or humiliate in front of other pupils. On one occasion she said, ‘Look at this girl’s work. It’s the worst in the class!’ and then she suddenly started laughing. My poor friend put up with this for a whole year, and then one day she decided to stand up to her. ‘Stop picking on me!’ she said. ‘And if I want to use yellow in my pictures, I will!’ With that, my art teacher burst into tears and from that day we could use any colours we liked.

 

3. Cousin

The strangest person I know is my cousin. He was an only child, and was used to being the center of attention, so he tended to show off a lot in front of other people. I can’t say he changed very much when he grew up. On his eighteenth birthday he shaved off all his hair and started wearing a safety pin through his nose. I suppose he thought it would make him stand out in the crowd. He went to university but dropped out after only one week – he said he wanted to graduate from the university of life. The last thing I heard, he was trying to join a circus.

 

2.1.3	B		Listen to the sentences. Then say the sentences again, using the multi-word verb prompts. The first one has been done for you.

1. She must be nearly 90 (get on for).

2. His strange clothes made him very noticeable (stand out).

3. Why is the boss always criticizing me? (pick on)

4. She decided to confront her boss (stand up to).

5. He tried to make the party more exciting and lively (liven up).

6. She’s always trying to impress people (show off).

7. He’s always talking about his life in the army (go on about).

8. He’s started coming home late at night (take to).

9. She withdrew from the course (drop out).

 

2.3 Honesty and sincerity

 

2.3.2            Why Is It So Hard to Be Honest?

 

Today you are going to hear an interview conducted by Mr Granger, a journalist working for

BritishUniversity Student Magazine. He is talking to two female students from this university.

- It’s probably true to say that women have been affected more than men by recent changes by the way people behave. Yet, it is a common belief these days that girlfriends are not straight with their boyfriends. Young men often complain that their girlfriends never get to the point. They say that you rather hedge round the subject or if you get to the point you don’t make it obvious how deeply you feel.

- Yes, I know what you mean. They may have a point there. Most of us find it impossible to be direct about our deepest feelings and fears.

- They say, you drop hints; some hope they are mind readers. The continual hinting, nagging and sulking will never get to the root of the problem.

- But on the other hand, why are we supposed to be open and straight! Can’t they be more straight with us?

- That’s simple. It’s because you complain more often about their clothes, manners, behaviour or haircuts, for instance.

- I don’t quite get you.

- Oh, come on, Kathy! For instance, you are asking questions like ‘Why can’t you buy some smart clothes?’ or ‘Aren’t you ever going to get a decent haircut?’

- Those are quite straightforward suggestions!

- But it is nagging and sulking, isn’t it?

- I see what you mean …

- Moreover, these questions may mean you and he have very different outlook on life, and because that’s pretty serious I assure you hide it from him and from yourself.

- So you are trying to say that we find it hard to be direct because we are scared of possible consequences? In other words, you think that despite great social advances girls prefer playing a submissive role putting up with behaviour or attitudes, they don’t feel entirely happy with.

- Oh, rubbish!

- I’m not so sure it is rubbish. If you were asked to write a set of hints for teenage girls who don’t know how to deal with their boyfriends, what would you write?

- That’s a tough question, but let me try. First, don’t say that he doesn’t understand you, and it’s all his fault. Tell him what is bothering you. Second, don’t deliberately make him jealous, it won’t get you anywhere.

- Anything else?

- Coming back to nagging, don’t make constant digs at him. there’s nothing more irritating than a nag. So, say exactly what’s on your mind and get it over with.

- I see… It won’t be easy, though.

- Just try. Nobody likes nagging people. Be direct, but try not to sound as if you are accusing him.

- Life is complicated, isn’t it?

- Certainly is.