Most people travel to different parts of the world and experience the new and the different. Traveling, however, takes planning. Before you go to another country, it is a good idea to ask about the country of destination.



Target Phrases

What are some of the most popular tourist attractions in Korea?
If I could visit one place in Korea, which one would you recommend?
When is the best time to visit Korea?
Where is the best place to see traditional Korean culture?
What are some interesting things about Korean culture?

Conversation
Using the Target Phrases

Ana: Hi, my name is Ana. Nice to meet you.
Hee Jong: Nice to meet you. My name is Hee Jong.
Ana: Ijust arrived in Korea yesterday, and I don’t know much about the country. Can I ask you a couple of questions about Korea?
Hee Jong: Sure.
Ana: What are some of the most popular tourist attractions in Korea?
Hee Jong: There are too many to list. But, you can check out all the famous palaces, temples, mountains…
Ana: Well, if you had to pick one place to go, where would you recommend?
Hee Jong: Umm, I’d say you should go to Kyung Ju.
Ana: Why Kyung Ju?
Hee Jong: Kyung Ju was the ancient capital during the Shilla dynasty. Kyung Ju has many historical sites and attractions. Besides, it’s a beautiful city.
Ana: Could I experience traditional Korean culture there?
Hee Jong: Definitely
Ana: That sounds great. Thanks!
Hee Jong: You’re welcome. Have a good trip

Best Places to go in Korea

Examine the following list of popular Korean tourist attractions. Mark the ones that you have been to or that you know about. Then discuss your travel experiences and which one of the following would you most strongly recommend to a foreign visitor. Add some good reasons for your choices.

Pagoda Park
Folk Village
Yongpyung Resort
Panmoonjum
Namsan Tower
Everland
Kyungju
Cheju-do
Namdaemun
63 Building
Incheon
Kyungbokkung
Chamsil Stadium
Taejondae
Piwon (The secret Garden)
Chirisan

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What is the conversation about when business associates greet each other at the airport, meet during a break at a conference, or go out for dinner after a long meeting? Some of the discussion at these times will be about business. Yet it is probably more likely that a lot of the issues are not related to work at all. Rather, a general style of chit-chat will develop and this is known as “small talk.”

Small talk can be considered an important part of business because it gets your mind off work. It is also a way to find common ground between different business associates. This will to the establishment of deeper and more personal ties to maintain business in the future.

Although it is important to participate in small talk, it is also necessary to know what can be talked about and what is off-limits. For example, asking someone about the local food, national culture and recent weather is considered an acceptable way to break the ice with a business counterpart. Hopefully a casual discussion will continue and eventually help develop mutual understanding which can then create a trustworthy business relationship.

However, people must also be aware of sensitive issues that are hot potatoes and should not be discussed in this environment. For instance, any conversation focused on politics, religion or personal questions should not come up. This is because others could become angry. Not only would the situation become awkward, but the business relationship could be hurt by such topics.

VOCABULARY:

Business associates
People who have business relationships together
Ex: I will talk to my business associates about a new sales idea.

Break
Short temporary stop
Ex: After you sell a TV to this customer, let’s take a break and eat lunch.

Chit-chat
Casual and informal talk
Ex: The workers had a chit-chat about their summer vacations.

Common ground
A similar position agreeable for all people
Ex: we hope to find common ground and make a contract.

Ties
Relationships
Ex: The man trusts me because we have had business ties for 20 years.

Counterpart
Individual with the same position or function in another company
Ex: Our company’s president met with his Brazilian counterpart.

Mutual
Each person having the same feeling as the other
Ex: Signing the contract was a mutual agreement.

Awkward
Uncomfortable
Ex: It was awkward telling the boss that I disagreed with her.

EXPRESSIONS:

Gets your mind off
Let yourself forget about it temporarily
Ex: He wants to get his mind off the mistake he made while negotiating.

Off-limits
Not to be talked about
Ex: Telling racist jokes is off-limits.

Break the ice
Begin a conversation when meeting someone the first time
Ex: It is nice for current employees to break the ice with new ones.

Hot potatoes
Topics that are controversial or that could cause problems
Ex: Be careful with hot potatoes or you might argue.

Come up
Become part of the discussion
Ex: Information about a client’s account could come up in the meeting.

DISCUSSION POINTS

1. What are some other small talk topics which should or should not be discussed?
· For instance, it is fine to have a conversation about sports or history?

2. Do you think small talk is important in your culture?
· For example, when clients meet do they only talk about their job and position or do they also talk about their job and position or do they also talk about their other experiences?

3. What are some personal questions that should be avoided?
· For instance, is it fine to ask someone if they are married or how much money they earn?

4. Do you believe that small talk can influence business deals or are they not related with each other?

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Korean New Year commonly known as Seollal or Solnal, is the first day of the lunar Korean calendar. It is the most important of the traditional Korean holidays. Korean New Year generally falls on the day of the second new moon after winter solstice.

The biggest festival in Korea today is Seollal The Korean New Year holidays lasts for three days. It is considered as a more important holiday than the solar New Year's Day. The term Seollal is also used to refer to the solar new year.

Although many of the younger generation take advantage of the time off to go skiing or travel abroad, Korea's roads, railways, and skies are full of homeward bound travelers. People line up for hours when the bus and train tickets go on sale, about 3 months prior to the holidays. For those masochistic enough to try driving, taking over 24 hours to drive from Seoul to Busan is not unheard of! (Normally, it takes 5-6 hours. However, the family bond runs deep in Korea culture, and it seems that people gladly make the journey.

SEOLLAL DISCUSSION

• Where are you going for Seollal?
• What day is Seollal celebrated in Korea?
• Do you celebrate Seollal? If so, how?
• What did you do last year?
• Why is the traffic so bad?

• What do you know about the history of Seollal?
• What do people do in Seollal for fun?
• What food do you eat at Seollal?

• What foods are associated with Seollal?
• What is your favourite Seollal food?
• Who cooks Seollal food in your home?
• What time of day does your family typically sit down to eat Seollal food?

• What are some Seollal traditions?

• What are some Seollal traditions in your family?
• Do people wear hanbok in Seollal?

• Do you think Seollal is a family holiday? Why?

• What does " Seollal " mean to you?

• What is your favourite Seollal memory?

• What is your worst Seollal memory?

• What is your favorite holiday in Korea? Why?

• Why do you think people celebrate Seollal Day?

• Is making New Years Resolution popular in Korea?

• What are some of the things you are wishing for this year?

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This lesson will focus on what really represents the “real” Korea, the “Land of Morning Calm.”
In 1934 A.D., an emperor of the Ming dynasty of China, the Celestial Empire of the East, gave Korea the title of 'Chaohsien' meaning morning freshness. The title was most suited to South Korea because of its spellbinding natural beauty of picturesque high mountains and clear waters and its splen-did tranquillity, particularly in the morning which further confirmed the title on South Korea as the 'Land of Morning Calm'.

Examine the items in the list below and choose 12 items that you think truly represents Korea. Of course, you can add your own items to the list.

Target Phrases

Kimchi
Celadon vase
Korean-English dictionary
Miniature TV
Ticket to Everland
A Bible
Subway ticket
Ginseng root
Pharmacy health drink
Riot policeman’s helmet
Bottle of soju
Pack of cigarettes
Chopsticks
Package of rice
Coffee shop glass
Hanbok
Hyundai logo
Military uniform
Necktie
Keys to a car
Package of ramyon
Pansori CD

DISCUSSIONS:

1. What things do you think represent Korea? Why?
2. Do you think Korea is still the “Land of Morning Calm”? Why or why not?
3. What do you think of Korea now compared to the past?
4. Are you proud of Korea? What makes you so? If not, why not?
5. What things do you think define your teacher’s native land? Why?
6. What do you think of his or her country compared to Korea?

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Life is not always fair. Whether a person is making a comparison of numerous countries or many individuals, there is always a gap between the haves and have-nots. This also occurs with the salary of those people working in the corporate world. Company executives have received a large amount of money, but the general workers have not.

Compared to the regular staff, executives are rewarded with a lot of different perks –possibly a company car or more holidays. In addition, the average big shots in America has increased tenfold in their pay, the other workers have received minor raises which might just be above the inflation rate.

With income being lopsided so much, many workers are complaining that this situation I just too unfair. Yes, the Chief Executive Officers (CEO’s) might be stressed out. After all, they are the ones who must make the really important decisions under pressure so they deserve to be paid well. However, a company’s success is based on the hard work of the lower –level staff. Without these employees working all day and possibly overtime (OT), would the companies be profitable enough to afford to pay the high salary of the executives?

Many workers might be feeling as if they are getting a raw deal. This could have really negative effects for the company. For instance, the employees might be bitter toward the executives and this could result in a loss of ambition to work hard. To keep as many people as pleased as possible, some changes are needed. This means that fair work will be rewarded with fair pay and at the time the income gap will be cut back.

VOCABULARY:

Gap
big difference
Ex: there should not be a wage gap between men and women.

Have and have-nots
Countries or people who have and do not have wealth
Ex: in parts of Africa, whether or not a house has electricity separates the haves and have-nots.

Tenfold
Ten times, multiplied by ten
Ex: the company’s profit fell tenfold during the weak economy.

Inflation rate
Percentage increase in prices
Ex: the inflation rate increased from 2% to 4% last year.

Lopsided
Not equal by a large amount
Ex: sales were lopsided and mostly done by our female staff.

Bitter
Unhappy, angry, resentful
Ex: are you bitter that you did not get the promotion?

EXPRESSIONS:

Perks
Gains or advantages that are extra to salary (eg. A company car)

Big shots
Important people with high positions and lots of power

Be stressed out
Have too many worries, feel too much pressure

Raw deal
Bad deal or agreement

Cut back
Reduced, decreased

DISCUSSION POINTS:

1. What other perks exist that executives enjoy at different companies?
For example, are they able to have a golf membership or a company credit card?

2. Why is there a gap between the executives pay and the other employees pay?
For instance, is it because the executive is the owner and makes the rules? Or, is it because of supply and demand where there is less supply of qualified CEOs which result in higher pay?

3. Should someone who has completed their required military service in Korea receive more money than other workers who have not?

4. Do you think it is proper that labor workers sometimes make the same amount or even higher salary than office staff?

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“Glocalization” is acting globally, but thinking locally. It is the idea of multinational corporations practicing globalization by expanding worldwide, yet tailoring their marketing and advertising strategy, or goods and services, to each of the local markets. Therefore, the company is global, yet local.

During the past decades, international corporations would have to pinpoint what part of their products would have to be altered in order to be sold in foreign markets. For example, technology items had to have the right language in their Users Manual and automobiles had to have a steering wheel on the proper side of the vehicle. This type of localizing evolved and companies also became aware of special cultural norms.

Market rivals are checking out ways to give themselves an edge in a specific local area. Korea’s LG Electronics has tried to draw Muslims in the Middle East to purchase its mobile phones. It attempts this by including software that shows the direction of Mecca. Since Muslims are supposed to pray in this direction five times per day, this might be a special feature that they find useful. It will not likely start a revolution in the mobile phone market, but it might be just enough to tip the balance to LG when Muslim consumers decide to purchase their new handsets.

VOCABULARY:

Tailoring – customizing, making in a specific way for a special purpose
Ex: Tailoring cars for the U.K., we put steering wheels on the right side.

Altered – changed, modified
Ex: we altered our meeting schedule.

Evolved – changed as time went on
Ex: the company has evolved from having 10 workers to 45.

Cultural norms – normal and acceptable behavior in cultures
Ex: learning cultural norms is important for international business.

Draw – attract
Ex: let’s hope this new ad will draw more customers to the store.

Mecca – in Saudi Arabia, holiest place for Muslims
Ex: my boss visited Mecca when he took time off from work.

EXPRESSIONS

Pinpoint – determine exactly
Ex: once they pinpoint the problem then they can solve it.

An edge – an advantage
Ex: lower prices will give the company an edge over others.

Tip the balance – give the advantage
Ex: if candidates know a foreign language it will tip the balance for them to be hired.


DISCUSSION POINTS:

1. How can foreign companies improve their “localization” to better understand regional or cultural differences?
For instance, a popular drink in Korea is Pocari Sweat, but that would probably not sell well in English-speaking countries. This is because the people would feel that as if they were drinking sweat.

2. How can your company be more sensitive when it sells its products abroad?
For example, should Asian manufacturers produce larger vehicles for the North America market because, in general, North American customers need or want more space?

3. Are there any minor problems when products are sold in foreign markets which create a negative image of a company but could easily be fixed?For instance, are there spelling mistakes in manuals or misinterpretations in translations?

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by: Larissa

It is important to understand English slang in order to speak confidently and correctly. Below is a sample conversation between co-workers. Please read once and then read again out loud with the help of your teacher.

Lesson 1:
Conversation and Role Playing:
Read the dialogue

A: AB, what’s going on?
B: Not much, just taking it easy today. Work’s been killing me lately.
A: What do you say we head downtown and grab a coffee at the Starbucks near plaza 66?
B: I’ve had way too much caffeine lately. I wouldn’t mind grabbing something to eat though. Would you be up for that?
A: It’s a nice day today, so we could get something at Element Fresh near the Portman. They’ve got a patio so we could sit outside.
B: Sure, do you want to work out after?
A: I’ve already gone. Wasn’t great though. 6 out of 10 at best.
B: Just come with and do some cardio. I think you could afford to shed a few more pounds.
A: We’ll see. Let’s meet at Element at 2.
B: K, later.

Lesson 2:
Building the slang:
Read the following vocabulary words and their descriptions.

AB: Friends sometimes call people by their initials just for fun. My name is Andrew Best so friends of mine might call me AB.

What’s going on? A slang phrase meaning, “What are you doing now? Or what are your plans for the next while?”

Taking it easy: relaxing, not doing much.

Been killing me: A phrase meaning “causing you a lot of stress”. You can say, “My new job has been killing me.” Or you could say, “The summer has been so hot this year, it’s killing me.”

Grab a coffee: In casual conversation, we sometimes use the verb “grab” for food or drinks. “Let’s grab a coffee”, means, “let’s go somewhere and get a coffee”.

Way too much: In casual conversation, we sometimes use “way” instead of “far”. “Way too much”, means, “far too much”.

Caffeine: The drug found in coffee that gives people energy and keeps them awake.

Would you be up for that? A casual phrase meaning, “Do you want to do that”, or “Will you do that?”

Patio: A place to sit outside. Sometimes restaurants and pubs have patios where people can sit outside and eat on a nice day.

6 out of 10: Sometimes people rate things out of 10. 10 out of 10 is perfect. 0 out of 10 is the worst.

At best: Ranking something is subjective, which means that it is not always clear what the score out of 10 will be. If you say, 6 out of 10 at best, it means, 6 out of 10 or even lower than 6 out of 10.

Come with: A slang phrase that means, “come with me” or “come with us”.

You could afford to shed a few more pounds: Sometimes we say “shed a few pounds”, which means, “lose weight”.

We’ll see: It means, “I’m not sure yet”.

Element: In the dialogue, I said the restaurant’s name is Element Fresh. When both people know clearly what is being talked about, people sometimes use short forms.

K: Slang and short for “ok”.

Later: When hanging up the phone we sometimes say “later”. It’s slang and should be used only with friends.

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Finding Mr. or Mrs. Right, Dating

Everyone is looking for love, but finding a suitable mate can be difficult. Luckily, many people have friends who are willing to set them up on blind dates in hopes of making a successful match. Dating services are another option for those looking for Mr. or Mrs. Right, but many people are leery about letting a computer decides their personal relationships. There seems to be ongoing search for true romance, and the best way to meet your perfect love is a matter of preference.

The following are some sayings related to finding that man or woman of your dreams. Do you agree with them? Can you think of any others?

· There are many fish in the sea.
· Age and wedlock tame even the wildest man.
· Women: you can’t live with them, you can’t live without them.
· A good man is hard to find.
· The reason that husbands and wives do not understand each other is because they belong to different sexes.

Discussion:

1. Are you a good matchmaker? How many times have you set someone up on a date? Are any of the couples still together?
2. Are you a good judge of character? Is your first impression of someone usually correct? What do you look for?
3. How many blind dates have you been on? Talk about your best and worst?
4. In many Western countries, blind dates are fairly uncommon. Why do you think this is? How do people in Western countries usually find dates?
5. How do you feel when you meet someone for the first time?
6. Have you ever tried a computer dating service or matchmaking service? If so, what was it like? If not, would you be willing to try one?
7. Where is the best place to pick up guys or girls?
8. What do you think about sex before marriage?
9. How do you feel about “booking clubs” in Korea? Do people usually expect to find a girlfriend or boyfriend there, or are they just looking for some fun?
10. Do you think that people’s criteria for dating changes over time? Has your taste in guys/girls changed at all? What kind of person do you think you will be attracted to in 20 years?
11. What do women look for in a man? What do men look for in a woman? What are your priorities?
12. How can you tell if you have found the perfect partner? How long should people date before they decide to get married?

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Telling Lies and Being Honest

It is widely known that people who tell lies usually experience psychological strain, unease or agitation because of the worry that their lies may be detected. Other physiological reactions include excessive blinking, stammering, sweating, shaking, avoiding eye contact, shortness of breath, and changes in the tone of voice, to name only a few.

During his testimony to the grand jury regarding the sex scandal involving White House intern Monica Lewinsky, President Bill Clinton touched his nose an average of 26 times a minute. As with former President Clinton, sometimes when an individual is lying, he tends to exhibit nervous habits. Some experts watch for these signs to detect whether a person is being truthful or not.

A more scientific method for detecting whether a person is lying or not was developed in 1920. A polygraph, or ‘lie detector’ (as it is more commonly known), can detect changes in breathing patterns, pulse and blood pressure that typically indicate, with about 90 percent accuracy, that someone is nervous about something they are trying to conceal.

However, this machine is incapable of measuring physiological rates in persons who exhibit dietheses, a condition that enables a person to lie and show minimal physiological changes. To combat this problem, scientists are now perfecting a machine that measures electrical impulses in brain waves. Some people believe this new device may be capable of detecting even the most convincing liars, even those individuals who exhibit diatheses.

Comprehension:

1. How good are you at lying? Are you a convincing liar, or can people see right through you?
2. Can you usually tell that someone is lying?
3. When you lie do you exhibit any nervous reactions?
4. Do you agree with the expression, ‘honesty is always the best policy’? if not, when do you think it is better to lie?
5. Politicians are well-known for lying. Do you think that politics encourages lying and corruption?
6. Is it possible to go through life without ever telling a lie (even a ‘white lie’)? Would living in this way have a positive or negative effect on your relationships?
7. When you guessed correctly that your partner was lying, what gave him or her away?
8. When you were lying to your partner, did you find it difficult to keep a straight face?
9. Is it sometimes necessary to lie in order to save face?
10. Who do you think lies more often, men or women? What kind of lies do men tell? Do women tell?
11. Can you think of situation where it would be okay to lie?

Activity:

Typical Excuses

One very common occasion for lying is when people need to come up with excuses to explain their mistakes or irresponsibility. Give typical excuses for each of the types of people in the list below.

1. People who smoke
2. People who are late for school or work
3. People who are late for a date
4. Men and women who have love affairs
5. Husbands who beat their wives
6. People who have messy houses
7. Students who give up trying to learn English
8. Public officials who take bribes
9. Singles who want to stay single

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Having a bad boss could be bad for your heart. This is the conclusion of a Swedish study on management styles and health. The researchers concluded that poor managers can increase their employee's risk of developing heart disease. The Stockholm University study analyzed data on the health of 3,000 male workers. They compared the data with the results from questionnaires about senior managers. The questions asked workers if they thought their boss was considerate, communicated well and offered positive feedback. Other questions looked at how much work bosses gave to workers and how well they outlined their goals. The research team found that workers who respected their bosses were healthier and had fewer heart problems.

The report is published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine. It suggests that companies should re-train bosses to improve worker health. A healthier workforce will improve the overall health of the company. Investing in providing leadership skills to senior managers could be a good long-term investment. The researchers said a more supportive and understanding boss would reduce the chances of workers developing high blood pressure and stress-related illnesses. Magnus Larsson, an engineer for a large IT company, agreed with the report’s findings. He believes his heart attack last year was because of his boss: “The guy was a monster. Working for him was a daily nightmare for eight years,” Larsson said.

BOSS DISCUSSION:

1. What springs to mind when you hear the word ‘boss’?
2. Do you think you would be a good boss?
3. What makes a good boss a good boss?
4. Are you surprised that bosses can give their staff heart problems?
5. Why is it important to be considerate and give positive feedback?
6. What other things in the workplace are bad for your heart?
7. Do you think the workplace is a stressful place?
8. Have you had good or bad bosses?
9. Can anyone be a good boss?
10. Would you like to be a boss (why)?
11. What would managers learn in their training to be a good boss?
12. What should companies do to look after the health of their staff?
13. Do you know of any companies that treat their staff really well?
14. Do you think workers should be able to vote on whether their boss continues to be their boss?
15. Do you think companies should spend a lot of time and money on training managers?
16. Do you think workers should be able to sue companies if bosses give them heart problems?
17. What would you do if your boss was a monster who made your working life a daily nightmare?

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A husband is bringing in the groceries.

Sam: You’ll never guess who I bumped into at Loblaw’s today!
Grace: Who?
Sam: Jerry. You remember Jerry… my old fishing buddy?
Grace: Oh, we haven’t seen him in ages!
Sam: Yeah. But you know, he hasn’t aged a day. He still looks exactly the same.
Grace: So, how is he? Is he still married to that… what was her name? isn’t that crazy we used to be bosom pals and now I can’t even remember her name.
Sam: You mean Deborah?
Grace: Right, Deborah. It was on the tip of my tongue. Are they still together?
Sam: Nope. Divorced. He has really let himself go, too. He looked like hell.
Grace: Aw, that’s a shame. They made a nice couple. Well, he must have a lot of time on his hands now. We should invite him for dinner.
Sam: No way! Are you crazy?
Grace: Well, I just thought…
Sam: Don’t you remember the last time we invited Jerry over? He drank like a fish, hit on every woman in the room, and made a complete ass of himself. I was mortified.
Grace: Oh, that’s right. Your parents were there, too. Well, why don’t we let bygones be bygones and invite him for a dinner on Friday?
Sam: Hmm…alright, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Comprehension:
1. Briefly explain in your own words what Sam and Grace are talking about.
2. What is Sam’s opinion of Jerry?
3. What does Grace mean by ‘let bygones be bygones’?
4. Do you have any friends that your family or spouse do not approved of? How do you keep the peace?
5. Are there any friends you’ve lost touch with? Why do you think you haven’t been able to keep in touch?
6. Do you think that it’s easy or difficult for married people to be friends with single or divorced people? Why?

Reading

Throughout our lives, our idea of what makes someone a good friend might change, but the general principles remain the same.

In kindergarten, good friends might have let us have the red crayon, instead of the yucky black one. They were the one who seemed able to play with us for extended periods without it turning into all out war. They were the ones who shared their precious snacks with you at lunchtime.
In childhood, good friends were the people who were always there to sit with at lunchtime or the people who always wanted to walk home with you after school. They were the people who laughed at your antics, when everyone else thought you were being idiotic.

In adolescence, good friends let you copy their homework, risked punishment to pass you notes in class, always managed to get the seat next to you, and never revealed who you secretly had a crush on.

As a teenager, your good friends were probably your partners in naughtiness, helped you laugh through the rough world of growing up, stood by and cheered on your successes, and picked you up and dusted you off after the sting of disappointments or betrayal.

As adults, good friends are those who are dependable, always ready with a listening ear, words of encouragement, or advice. Good friends remember your birthday. Good friends are the people you want to call when something has got you down, or when things suddenly seem to be falling apart. Good friends don’t let you take yourself too seriously. They let you be yourself, but also help you grow to become a better person.

DISCUSSION:

1. Which of your friends have you known the longest? How did the two of you meet? How often do you see each other these days?
2. Do you think that men and women can be friends? How about after marriage?
3. Describe a perfect evening spent with friends.
4. Are there any long lost friends you’d like to get back in touch with?
5. Do you usually hang out with the same group of close friends or with many different people?
6. Do you usually socialize with people from work or church?
7. In Western countries, it is common to invite groups of people to one’s house for a dinner party, potluck party, pool party, or barbeque. Why do you think these sorts of social gatherings are uncommon in Korea?
8. How does alcohol influence the way people socialize?
9. What kinds of people do you get along with really well? Are there any sorts of people you don’t normally get along with?
10. If you had a serious problem, who would you be more likely to talk to about it first, a family member or a close friend? Why?
11. What makes a friendship last a long time?
12. Do you think it is possible to overcome shyness? How?
13. What makes someone a great conversationalist?

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As a guide to morally acceptable behavior, many people used to refer to the list of virtues. A virtue is a good quality or way of behaving.

· Can you think of some situations in which these virtues are still important?
· Are some of these virtues unrealistic in today’s world?

Discuss some of the following virtues:

Politeness: good manners; socially acceptable behavior; not being rude
Justice: fairness in the way that people are treated
Courage: doing something difficult or dangerous despite your fear
Gratitude: thanking someone for something they have done or given to you
Humility: being modest; not believing that you are better than someone else
Purity: following what you know to be morally acceptable behavior
Fidelity: loyalty to a person, organization or set of beliefs
Generosity: doing or giving more than is usual or expected
Mercy: choosing not to harm or punish someone you have power over
Gentleness: acting in a calm and controlled manner with little force

DISCUSSION:

1. Where do you think we get our sense of right and wrong?
2. Why do you think most people have a conscience? Do you have a strong conscience? Give reasons to support your answer.
3. Some people do things that they know are wrong only because others also do. In English, we call this ‘peer pressure’ or ‘social pressure’. Why do you think people sometimes follow the crowd?
4. How can you teach your children the difference between right and wrong?
5. Are you optimistic or pessimistic about human nature?
6. Is there anything you’ve done that you regret?
7. Do you believe that people who try hard to be good will ultimately be rewarded for their efforts? What makes you think so?
8. Altruism is the act of helping other people even though there is no benefit for ourselves. Do you believe that there is such a thing as real altruism, or do people simply do such things to feel better about themselves?
9. After doing something you know is wrong, do you usually try to justify your actions to yourself? What are some of the ways you can do this?
10. Who is responsible for teaching and upholding moral and ethical behavior; our parents, our teachers, the government, or someone else?
11. If a friend tries to persuade you to do something that is against your conscience, do you tend to be easily persuaded or do you usually stick to your principles?
12. Do you think that it is unfair to criticize others for behaving badly in certain situations unless we have first faced the same situation ourselves and done the right thing?

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So, you have been looking at the list of changes you want to make in your life. They may include:

1. lose weight
2. get my career into high gear
3. face my fears
4. increase my self-esteem
5. improve my love-life
6. feel less depressed and more satisfied with my life
7. learn to cope with work stress
8. free myself from the baggage of my past

These are some of the difficult issues that people usually face. Whether your list matches the one above or not, it may be as challenging. For many people change is too challenging and too difficult. Therefore, they keep recycling their list of desired changes from one year to the next.

How does a person change their life when will-power doesn't work? When will-power fails, where do you turn? People often turn to professionals to help facilitate the changes they desire. Licensed Professional Counselors, Psychologists and Clinical Social Workers specialize in guiding people through the process of change. They help people mobilize their own inner resources toward their desired outcomes.

Over the years many counseling methods have been developed to help people who seek a change in their life. Some therapies only pay attention to behavior, others to thinking or to discharging feelings. Some approaches are long on listening without giving feedback while others seek to analyze and explain every aspect of one's life. Now more research is being done to determine what is and is not effective in helping people create positive change in their lives.

If you want your next year to be your best one yet, do not accept what you have accepted from life thus far. Life will only give you what you accept. Break the box of false contentment you have erected around yourself and step into your destiny.

DISCUSSION:

1. Do you write a list of changes you want to make in your life?
2. What is the one main thing that you would like to change about your own personality in order to improve your life?
3. What are some goals you set yourself for next year?
4. We tend to assume that circumstances change easily and often, but that people change rarely, slowly, and with great difficulty. Do you think that it’s very easy for people to change?
5. People think that they will be happy when they achieve a certain goal in life. However, this is rarely true. Why do you think that are many people are never satisfied with their life? Are you easily satisfied?
6. Do you think that it is possible to be complete content with your life? Do you know anyone who is perfectly content with his or her life?
7. People often complain about other’s faults. If you could change something about someone you know, whom would you change and what would you change about them?
8. Can you remember the day that was perfect? What happened?
9. If you could go back in time and change some aspect of your childhood or your past life, what would you change and why?
10. Think of a mistake you have made this year and what are some positive things you can learn from it?
11. Do you want to put all the bad things that have happened behind, and start fresh?

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Are Koreans more superstitious than people in other countries? Perhaps. Is there a culture that doesn’t have any superstitions? That’s quite unlikely. We all have our old wives’ tales. In the West, many children don’t look under their bed, and can’t go to sleep if their bedroom door is closed, claiming that a ghost or monster might be lurking.

It is true that not everyone in the West is superstitious, but a lot of people do have their share of supernatural beliefs. Many people would feel a little uncomfortable if they broke a mirror or spilled salt and then forgot to throw some over their left shoulder to protect themselves from bad spirits.

Many Westerners do believe in UFOs. There are many claims of sightings, and people can’t seem to get enough information and material on this subject.

There are several conspiracy theories about government cover-ups and alien abductions.
Koreans generally give more credence to what a fortune-teller might tell them than Westerners do. The practice of visiting a fortune-teller before making a major decision, such as opening business or marriage, is very common in Korea. People in the West do visit fortune- tellers but for the most part, the predictions are not taken seriously. Most of the time, psychics are consulted as a form of entertainment or just out of curiosity.

DISCUSSION:

1. Are Koreans generally superstitious than Westerners?
2. Do you have any lucky charms or items you carry with you on special occasion? Do you have a lucky hat/shirt/pencil for exams?
3. Do you know anyone who visits psychic regulary?
4. Have you ever visited a fortune-teller to hear your “sa-joo”? Do you believe in “sa-joo”?
5. Will or did your mother visit a fortune-teller to hear your “goong-hap”?
6. What happens to people after death? Are they reincarnated? Do they go to Heaven? Hell?
7. Do you think there are some truths behind superstitions? Would you write someone’s name in red?
8. What superstitions did you have as a child? What about now? Were you afraid of the dark when you were young? If so, what did you do?
9. If someone you trust told you they’d seen a ghost, would you believe them? Why or why not?
10. Do you believe in miracles? Do you know of any miracles?
11. How many Korean and Western superstitions do you know of? Name some.
12. Have you or anyone you know ever seen a UFO? If not, how would you respond if someone told you they’d seen one? If you had no proof, would you tell someone you’d seen a UFO?
13. Is it possible that UFO exist? Where might they come from?
14. Do you think that aliens might be smarter than us? Do you think they would be friendly or hostile? What do you think they might look like? Describe one.
15. Can you remember your dreams? Do you often have dreams? How about recurring dreams? How about nightmares?
16. What was your “tae-mong”? What do people say it means?
17. Do dreams come true? Do they predict the future? What experiences have you or anyone you know had with this phenomena?
18. Do you believe that houses can be haunted? Have you or anyone you know ever been in a haunted house?
19. Do you believe that there are people, like the “moo-dang”, who have special abilities to communicate with the spirit-world and see the future and the past?
20. Why are some people afraid to admit that they’re superstitious? Are they afraid that others will think that they are weak or foolish?

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Reading

Have you ever had the desire to wander the world and see what was out there? While some people prefer to stay in the comfort of their own home, others have been bitten by the travel bug and can't wait to explore the world. Exotic places call to them. "Come visit me and I will show you my mysteries," they say.

Every year millions of people pack their suitcases or put on backpacks and flock to visit the seven continents of the world. They wander through the castles and museums of Europe, and the cities and natural wonders of North and South America. Some visit the vast exotic cultures of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The great outback of Australia is a wonderland for those who go there. And a few lucky people even make to the most mysterious continent on the earth- Antarctica.

Why do people want to explore the world? It gives them a better perspective about the earth and the people living on it. It opens their minds, it gives them a feeling of accomplishment, and it makes them feel alive. So save some money, get your passport ready, and see the world. It will change your life forever.

Vocabulary

travel bug (idiom) - strong desire to travel
to be bitten by the travel bug (idiom) - kind of a cute way to say when someone begins to want to travel. After the "bug" bites you, you will really want to travel.
to wander - to go from one place to another without any definite plans
to be in the comfort of (one's) own home- to be at home, in a familiar or comfortable place
to explore - to look around and find out new things
exotic (adjective) - strange, mysterious, exciting, unknown
mystery - something unknown, something that needs to be found out
to flock - large amounts of people go to the same place at the same time
vast (adjective) - very large
perspective - view, way of seeing things
accomplishment - feeling like you have done something important and good

Getting Away

Travel, Korean Style
The travel bug has bitten Koreans. Although most Koreans have only been able to travel since the late 1980’s, they are making the most of his opportunity. Koreans are traveling everywhere on the globe. Some people prefer a winter vacation as opposed to a summer one. They prefer a warm climate during the cold months at home. Others prefer traveling during the summer months, when the climate is more moderate in their host country. No matter what of year, Koreans are filling the buses to Incheon airport.

It may come as a surprise to many Koreans, but Westerners, for the most part, have not been traveling for much longer than Koreans. It was only after the Second World War that their parents and grandparents started to leave their homes and travel to exotic destinations. It was only in the 60’s that travel by young people really opened up. At that time, young people were turning out by thousands. They were going to Europe, Asia and Mexico, hoping to find the meaning of life.

Food is still a primary concern for Koreans when traveling abroad. Many Koreans still haven’t acquired a taste for foreign food. They bring their own with them or go on package tours in which Korean food is guaranteed. Initially, Western parents did the same thing. Nowadays, fast food restaurants are commonplace and Westerners don’t have the same problem. Also Westerners have become more accepting of foreign food and may be more willing to try local delicacies. This is because of their longer travel experience and also because many Western countries are quite multicultural. In the future, Koreans may well follow this same path.

Comprehension:

1. Do you prefer planning your own itinerary or do you prefer to join in a package tour?
2. What is the best way to get an authentic taste of an area in a short time?
3. What is the main reason you (would) travel; to learn something new, to relax, for a change of scenery, or for some other reason?
4. Do you (or would you) make an effort to learn about culture, history, geography of an area before you visit it?
5. List the most popular tourist destinations for Koreans. What it is about each of these places that is attractive?
6. Do you consider sampling the local food and drink to be an important part of experiencing the culture of a country?
7. Do you (would you) take Korean food with you when you travel?
Discussion:
1. What do you enjoy most about traveling? What is your biggest complaint about it?
2. Have you ever had any hellish travel experience, like lost luggage, stolen money or passports, delayed or missed flights?
3. Where would you expect encounter:
· The warmest hospitality?
· The rudest service?
· The most vibrant lifestyle?
· The most relaxed lifestyle?
· The worst traffic and transportation?
· The dirtiest living conditions?
4. Some places are considered more dangerous than others. What places would you consider really dangerous to visit?
5. Do you think Korean employees receive enough holiday entitlement, compared to employees in other developed countries?
6. Do you usually travel light? Or do you take everything with but the kitchen sink? What item do you consider absolutely essential when traveling?
7. How is traveling with friends different from traveling with your family? Which do you prefer?
8. Have you ever been really sick while on vacation? Have you injured yourself? Did you require hospitalization?
9. Do you think the security measures that are in place at airports these days are lenient, adequate or excessive? Have you ever had your luggage searched? How did you feel?
10. How do you go about choosing your vacation destination? Is cost the primary consideration?

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For Better or Worse


It is said that a man undergoes many changes from the time he goes into the military to the time when he comes out again. Discuss each of the following changes with your teacher and say which ones you agree or disagree with and why.






Men…

1. Are more ready to settle down when they come out of the military.
2. Are more relaxed and carefree before they go into the military.
3. Are better at household chores when they come out of the military.
4. Are better at household chores when they come out of the military.
5. Have more respect for authority and are more law-abiding after military service.
6. Are more disciplined and responsible when they come out of the military.
7. Drink more but smoke less before going into the military.
8. Treat women better before entering the military.
9. Are more violent after completing their military service.
10. Have less radical social and political views after military service.
11. Have more energy and enthusiasm for life before they enter the military.

DISCUSSION:

1. Can you still remember your worse experience during military service?
2. Do you agree that mandatory military service is still as necessary today as it once was, or is it time for Korea to abandon this tradition?
3. Many people think that a person comes out of the military a different person compared to when they went in. do you agree with this, and if so, are the changes for the better or worse?
4. Do you know someone who seemed to have changed after completing his or her military service? What changes did you notice?
5. Soldiers only get paid pitifully small amount of money during their mandatory military service. Do you think this Amount is sufficient? Why or why not?
6. Do most people receive good treatment during their mandatory military service?
7. Many men try to avoid mandatory military service. Is army life too strict, or are there other reasons?
8. For a long time there has been a debate whether or not women should be allowed in a combat. Do you think that women are better able to survive on a battlefield?
9. If your wife or your daughter wanted to go into the battle, would you allow her?
10. These days, it is becoming popular for women to have babies abroad. One of the reasons is so that their sons can have foreign citizenship and avoid mandatory military service. What do you think about this?

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Most people tend to make certain assumptions about others, even before interacting with them. When you first meet someone how concerned are you about the impression you make? Nearly everyone tries to put their best foot forward when meeting others for the first time. However, some people consciously try to control themselves and monitor their behavior more than others.

DISCUSSION:

1. What evidence served as the basis for your first impression of your partner? What, for example made you think that your partner was or was not conservative? Check the categories below that apply.

v Style of dress
v Hairstyle / makeup
v Tone and volume of voice
v Facial expression
v Body Language
v Amount of eye contact
v Other

2. How might you judge a person dressed in smart casual dress compared to someone dressed in jeans and a t-shirt?
3. Do you often feel nervous when meeting someone for the first time? How about if they are native English speaker?
4. It is said that you only get once chance to make a good first impression. Do you agree? Why or why not?
5. Can you think of a time when you made a great first impression on somebody? How did it help you?
6. If a person you meet for the first time doesn’t say much, do you usually think that they are unfriendly, or that they don’t like you, or do you assume that they are shy?
7. What is it that makes you dislike a person the first time you meet them? What sorts of people turn you off right away?
8. Finding common interests, such as leisure activities, and likes and dislikes, is the usual way to get a conversation off to a good start. What kinds of topics do you usually use to break the ice?
9. What sorts of people do you have a natural affinity for as soon as you meet them?
10. Most of us pre-judge others to some extent before we even talk to them. How accurately do you think we can judge people based on their appearance alone?
11. If you want to make a good first impression on a member of the opposite sex, what are some things that you should and shouldn’t do? Do you have special technique?

12. Comment on the following quote.

“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”

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Plastic Surgery and the Beauty Myth

There's no doubt about it: Korea is a cosmetic surgeon's paradise. In the more affluent areas of the country, it seems like there are cosmetic surgery clinics in nearly every office building. Almost everyone has a friend or relative who has had some part of their body nipped, tucked, tweaked, or otherwise changed. Cosmetic surgery has become so common, in fact, that it is virtually a non-issue. Someone could announce they are considering cosmetic surgery with the same nonchalance with which they'd tell people they are going to the dentist, and no one would bat an eye.

But who can blame people, really? Who wouldn't want to look younger, thinner, and prettier? A quick trip to clinic and you can get rid of those extra kilograms on your lunch hour, have those heavy calves thinned, or get the same nose or jaw-line as your favorite celebrity. It can all be yours through the miracle of plastic surgery.

Statistics show that at least one in ten women have had some kind of cosmetic surgery, and the number of men seeking to boost their ego is no less notable. People often say that getting cosmetic surgery will help them feel more confident about themselves. There are stories of women having surgery for the sole purpose of an interview, and some mothers, even suggest that their daughters do so—all of this, in the name of beauty.

This phenomenon also exists in other countries. In the United States, nearly 6.9 million cosmetic surgery procedures were performed in 2002, a number that has increased 228% since 1997.

Plastic surgeons claim that they do their best when they evaluate a prospective patient to see whether their perception of the likely results of surgery is realistic or if there is an underlying emotional problem behind the need for the surgery. Because of very low self-esteem, some individuals may have very distorted ideas about what they look like. They may be obsessively preoccupied with a perceived defect in their physical appearance even if others reassure them they look fine.

However, since a plastic surgery clinic is a business like any other, it is unlikely that as many potential clients get refused as should be.

There are, however, some very good reasons to undergo plastic surgery. Some people want to look younger so they can get or keep a job. Appearance may not matter for a college professor or a scientist, but in certain jobs it does matter and plastic surgery can help. Others may have features that are unusually large or small, or misshapen, attracting unwanted attention and making them feel continually self-conscious.

Comprehension:

1. A recent survey in a Korean publication stated that about one in ten Korean women have had some kind of cosmetic surgery. Does this sound accurate? How many people that you know have had cosmetic surgery of some kind?

2. Would you consider having cosmetic surgery? What would you change about yourself?

3. What kinds of cosmetic surgery are most popular? Why?

4. In Korea, as many other Asian countries, cosmetic surgery is widely accepted whereas in many Western countries, it is not. How can you account for this difference?

5. What do you think of the people who have cosmetic surgery?

6. Do you think people who have cosmetic surgery are truly happier about themselves? Do they feel more confident?

7. How would you feel if your spouse or partner wanted to have an expensive cosmetic surgery procedure? What would you do if you didn't actually agree that she needed it? What could she do instead?

8. What are the most some serious side effects associated with plastic surgery procedures? Do you know of any 'botched jobs'?

9. Is it really possible to improve your self-esteem through cosmetics or, does real self-esteem come from inside?

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Rising Divorce Rate

Korea’s divorce rate is rising at an astronomical rate. In the early 1980’s it stood at around 5%. By the mid-1990’s it was around 25%, and by 2001 the rate had risen to around 30%. Worldwide, Korea now ranks 3rd in divorce rates behind the USA and the UK. What’s going on?

We mostly hear about how members of the younger generation just don’t understand what marriage is supposed to be, that they’re only looking for a quick way to satisfy their sexual desires, or that today’s newlyweds give up too easily when problems start to occur.

But while these things may be true, a rising divorce rate may also be an indication of something much bigger. Some people blame it on a breakdown of morality, but it could also be one result of the improved status of women. Interestingly, 64% of divorce suits filed in Korea in 2000 were filed by women.

In Korea any of the following conditions can qualify as a good reason to file for a divorce:

* proven adultery
* unreasonable behavior including violence
* excessive drinking
* making excessive sexual demands
* associating intimately with another man or woman, even if no sex involved
* neglect
* keeping the other part unreasonably short of money
* living apart for 3 years or more
* mistreatment of parents (either side)

Until recently, Koreans couldn’t understand how there could be so many divorces in the US while there were so few in Korea. Because divorces here were so rare, a lot of Koreans were convinced that their own social system, based on the Confucian idea that females should serve males, was superior to American system.

But it’s now clear that the main reason for the low divorce rate was the low status of women, who had no choice but to stay with their abusive or philandering husbands. Until recently, divorced women were looked upon in Korean society as “used goods”. Besides that, almost no jobs were available for divorced women.

All that has changed. Laws relating to grounds for divorce have loosened up quite a bit in recent years, mostly to the benefit of wives. This is a direct result of the improving status of women, who can now get out of uncomfortable relationships much more easily than in the past.

Most couples getting divorces in Korea are in their 30’s, and most of them have children. Children are usually the ones who suffer the most when their mothers and fathers split up.

Questions for discussion

1. What do you think are the main reasons why young people get married in Korea?
2. Why do you think that more young married couples nowadays are getting divorces than in the past?
3. Do you think there are any good reasons for getting a divorce? If so, what are they?
4. The article suggests that one reason for the formerly very low divorce rate in Korea was because Korean society discriminated against women, and women couldn’t get jobs after a divorce. Do you agree?
5. If you were in a bad marriage, would you rather stay in the marriage or get a divorce and become single again?
6. Which marriage partner do you think cause the most problems which lead to divorce in Korea- the husbands or the wives?
7. In divorce cases where children are involved and money is not a problem, which parent is better able to take care of the children- the mother or the father?
8. In your opinion, what is the best age for getting married—for men? For women?
9. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of remaining single and getting married for men and women.

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Food
No matter how it’s prepared, how much or how little of it we eat, whether we are picky eaters or willing to try anything, food is very important part of everyone’s life. Biologically and psychologically, food is of the highest importance to our health and well-being.

But beyond this, the kinds of food we eat also function to identify us a member of a particular culture. What foreigners might find distasteful or even revolting, the locals of an area consider normal. For example, you might find it disgusting that people would eat insects, but in some parts of the world, people eat insects without giving it a second thought.

Sometimes these cultural differences are not only a matter of taste but become a debate about morality. Some people find it objectionable that some Europeans eat horse or rabbit or that some Asian cultures eat monkey, cat, or dog.

In this age of globalization, some people are becoming increasingly concerned that the spread of Western fast food culture is threatening to obscure their native food culture. In countries all over the world, young people, especially, are becoming accustomed to eating American-style food instead of their native cuisine.

Discussion:

Food for thought

1. If you had to choose one food that is typical of Korea, what would it be?
2. Are there any kinds of food, besides Korean, that you enjoy eating? Are there any that you would like to try?
3. Do you think that Korean food is healthier than food from other countries? Why?
4. Do you think that you have healthy or unhealthy eating habits? Why?
5. What is the most disgusting thing you have ever eaten?
6. Most Westerners share a distaste of certain Korean foods, for example ‘bundeggi’, ‘san-nakgee’, and ‘boshintang’. What do you think about these foods? Do you enjoy them? What “Wetern” foods do you consider gross?
7. Where do you usually eat when you go out for a meal? What are some of your favorite restaurants?
8. How often do you eat at a street vendor? Have you ever eaten from a street vendor in another country?
9. Many Westerners are sometimes quite surprised by the prices that are charged for Western food at restaurants in Korea that would be considered to be only average quality in North America. Do you think Western food is over-priced in Korea or do you think that it is reasonably priced?
10. Are you usually surprised when you see foreigners enjoying Korean food or using chopsticks?


Activity:

Consumption Trends

Discuss the following trends with your teacher. For each one, speculate about what has caused these trends, what consequences are, whether they should be reversed, and how this could be done.

· Increasingly, Korean children prefer Western fast food to traditional Korean food.
· Korean children and teenagers are getting fatter and fatter these days.
· Anorexia and other eating disorders are becoming more common, especially among young Korean women.
· Women are smoking and drinking more than they used to.
· Increasingly, young people, including high school and university students, are taking up smoking.

Eat your Words

Describe, in as much detail as possible, each of the following.
1. Your favorite beverage
2. The strangest thing you’ve ever eaten
3. A food you could never give up
4. The best meal you’ve ever had at a restaurant
5. What you typically eat for breakfast
6. Your mother’s specialty
7. Something you can cook well
8. A cooking experiment that went horribly wrong

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These days, everyone is chasing the almighty dollar. Fortunes are made and lost in the blink of an eye, and split-second decisions often make the difference between success and failure. Money had been a key element in our society for thousands of years, and it will continue to play a vital role in our future.





Credit Card Debate
You will be asked to defend one of the following positions. Before you begin, read over the supporting arguments, and choose what you will focus your argument on.

Opinion 1: Credit Cards are Essential
· There are now a number of everyday activities, such as buying things on line which are not possible without a credit card.
· Customers can stop payment on a credit card account for unsatisfactory services.
· Most credit card companies offer purchase points and merchandise incentives, or airfare mileage points.
· Credit cards are a perfect way to establish and maintain a good credit card rating.
· Using credit cards, you can re-establish your credit rating after bankruptcy or other financial mishap.
· Credit cards allow you to get cash advances for emergencies.

Opinion 2: The Risks of Having Credit Cards Outweigh the Benefits
· The temptation to acquire too many credit card accounts can lead to losing track of payment details and deadlines.
· Credit cards give people a false sense of security and freedom, which make them likely to overspend.
· Most people who have credit cards have difficulty understanding the details about how the various fees are calculated.
· Young people, especially, are often poor at managing their money, and likely to find themselves in personal bankruptcy.
· Credit cards companies often charge high interest rates on cash advances.

Discussion:
1. Have you ever been hard up for money? What did you do to scrape by?
2. Have you ever lent money to a friend who was broke? If a friend didn’t pay you back for a long time, how would you handle the situation?
3. If you suddenly become filthy rich, what would you buy first? How do you think your lifestyle would change? Would you still work? Do you think there would be bad as well as good consequences?
4. Why are people so concerned with being well off? Does money always bring happiness?
5. What is the most you have blown on a shopping spree? How about for a meal? On alcohol? On a gift for special someone?
6. Do you and your friends usually chip in to pay the tab when you go out, or does someone usually foot the bill themselves? Have you ever gotten stuck with the bill unexpectedly?
7. How often do you pay things by credit card? How many credit cards do you have? Are any of them maxed out? Or are you good at managing your credit card spending?
8. At what age do you think people should be expected to be financially independent from their families? What do you think of young people who live at home after they start working and continue to sponge off their parents?

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Why is it that if someone is quiet, people automatically assume that person is nice, but a little shy? That may be the case most of the time (that timid people are nice, but perhaps stuck in their shell). However, I would like to suggest possible alternate causes for the silence.

I would assert that some quiet people are quiet because maybe they feel aloof to the situation or their surroundings. I know of individuals who think themselves above certain topics or circumstances. They would rather remain silent than lower themselves to the level of discourse

On the other hand, I know of cases where silence was mistaken for pretentiousness. In reality, however, the person was intimidated of the particular situation and that caused the individual to be reserved. This example goes to prove that silence can be tied shyness, although it may be misdiagnosed.

This train of thought, though academic, is not my ultimate destination. My main point is that many times silence can be a signal of danger. For example, ninjas are very quiet. Their silence stems not from shyness but from their stealth. A ninja can be completely silent, but very deadly. In this way ninjas are like human flatulence, silent but deadly. In other ways, however, ninjas are totally unlike flatulence, even though scientist have shown that ninjas have the ability to break wind. Although, no one has ever smelled a ninja fart and lived to tell the tale, as ninjas are able to creep up on their victims faster than the gaseous emissions. Ninjas arrive to kill the person before the foul scent can reach the unsuspecting nostrils. (This raises the question if a ninja lets one rip, but no one is around to smell it, did they really pass gas?) That is why ninjas are able to get away with eating so many soybean based food staples. But you would never get a ninja to admit that they eat gassy food, since ninjas cherish their silence so much that they would rather kill you than talk to you. That all feeds into why ninjas are so quiet, and so dangerous.

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Intentional or not, our cars tell the world a lot about what type or person we are – our social and financial status, our need for outward validation, our security in our gender roles, or even the transitional stages we are currently undergoing. All this information is subtly broadcast to the world based on what we are driving around town.

When someone purchases a new car, there are a lot of factors motivating their choices. Consciously or unconsciously, we choose our car based on who we think we are or who we want to be. This is because, at some level, we know others are judging us when we are in very public settings like streets and highways.

But cars not only project messages to others, they also reinforce the ideas that we have about ourselves. Think about it: there aren’t many good reasons for buying a new car given that they depreciate in value so rapidly. Besides, no one really needs a new car when a reliable used car can be purchased for a fraction of the price. So, there must be something else motivating people to make such large purchases, and considering the price tags, that motivation must be quite strong.

Discussion A:
1. What message do you think the following people are conveying with their cars?
· A middle-aged man driving a sports car.
· A young mother driving a luxury SUV.
· A young man driving a minivan.
· An older man being driven in a black luxury sedan.
· A young woman driving a small sporty two-seater.

2. According to surveys conducted in North America, the color of your car also says a lot about who you are. Do you agree with the following? Is it true in your case?

Red
You’re outgoing and impulsive with a youthful attitude, but easily bored.

Silver
You have great style and are often successful, but you tend to be pompous.

White
The first choice of doctors and drivers who are reliable and methodical.

Grey
Expresses understated good taste and indicates a safe, cautious driver.

Blue
A team player who’s sociable and friendly, yet lacks imagination.

3. How much do you care about what kind of car you drive? What do you think your car says about you? Do you think that you consciously chose your car based on the messages that it communicated to others?
4. Describe the interior of your car. It is neat or cluttered? Is it personalized or does it look the same as it did when you bought the car? What do you think people would think about you if they took a ride in your car?
5. How much time do you spend taking care of your car? What are some of the things that you do take care of it?
6. What kind of car do you dream of owning? What do you think it says about your personality?
7. Research has shown that men want power and performance from their cars, and women want safety and reliability. What do you think this says about men and women?

Discussion B:
1. Do you know who is a backseat driver?
2. What is road rage? Have you ever witnessed an incidence of road rage?
3. Generally speaking, do you think it is safe to drive in Korea?
4. Have you ever driven in any other countries? How did it compare to driving in Korea?
5. Which are of Korea is the most scenic to drive in?
6. Where is the most dangerous place to drive in Korea?
7. Have you ever been involved in a serious traffic accident? Do you know of anyone who has? What happened?
8. How do you usually get to work?
9. Who’s the best driver you know? Why do you think that person is a good driver?
10. Who do you think are better drivers: men or women? (just because there are few women drivers, it doesn’t mean they are worse drivers than men.)
11. Who are better bus and taxi drivers: men or women? Who do you trust more?
12. Do you think Korean drivers have a good reputation, or are they regarded as maniac behind the wheel?
13. North Americans can obtain a driver license when they turn 16. Do you think this is a good idea? Why or why not?
14. Do you know anyone who has driven drunk? Do you know anyone who was caught by the police driving while under the influence? What happened?
15. Do you think Korean car insurance rates are too high?
16. What is your favorite domestic car? Chairman, Tico, etc? Why?
17. Would you be embarrassed to drive a Tico? What do you think of Ticos?
18. What do/ will you consider when buying a new car? (price, color, fuel efficiency, etc.)
19. Would ever consider buying a foreign car?
20. If you won an expensive car like an Equus in a contest, would you keep it or sell it?
21. What is your favorite foreign car? Are Japanese cars well-made?
22. Have you ever driven a car while traveling in a foreign country?
23. When travelling in Korea, do you prefer to travel by car, train, or bus?
24. Have you ever ridden a motorcycle or scooter? What do you think of this form of transportation?
25. What do you consider to be the safest form of transportations?

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deportment • \dih-PORT-munt\ • noun

: the manner in which one conducts oneself : behavior

Example Sentence:
The school expects students to dress in proper attire and maintain a respectful level of deportment throughout the day.

Did you know?
"Deportment" evolved from the verb "deport," meaning "to behave especially in accord with a code," which in turn came to us through Middle French from Latin “deportare,” meaning "to carry away." (You may also know "deport" as a verb meaning "to send out of the country"; that sense is newer and is derived directly from Latin “deportare.”) "Deportment" can simply refer to one's demeanor, or it can refer to behavior formed by breeding or training and often conforming to conventional rules of propriety: "Are you not gratified that I am so rapidly gaining correct ideas of female propriety and sedate deportment?" wrote 17-year-old Emily Dickinson to her brother Austin.

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