Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Show 647 Tuesday 19 February


Watch today’s show at YouTube or BlipTV.

Hi I’m Sarah. Welcome to The Daily English Show.

Today’s movie is Pretty Woman. Pretty Woman came out in 1990. It’s a romantic comedy. I think you’ve probably seen it. It’s pretty well known and apparently it’s one of the most financially successful romantic comedies ever.

Wikipedia says the film was: groundbreaking on account of its sympathetic depiction of an occupation thought dishonorable and indecent by most Americans.

And it says the film has been criticized for making prostitution seem attractive.

Anyway one of the interesting parts of Pretty Woman, I think, is how Vivian goes into some stores dressed in a certain way, and the shop assistants are not nice to her. And then she goes into the stores again dressed differently, and the shop assistants are very willing to help her.

I’ve had similar experiences myself ... mostly in New Zealand – ah, because I usually dress pretty casually so I’ve had shop staff follow me around the store and I’ve been searched by security, that kind of thing. And it always makes me think of this movie.

And I think it’s an interesting issue, and something that happens a lot – shops discriminate on how rich or poor they think the customers are, and also on race, because I guess they think customers of a certain race will behave badly, or steal stuff or scare other customers away.

You might have experienced this – either in your home country or when you’re travelling overseas. So, it’s something we need to think about how to deal with. Do we just ignore it, or make a complaint, or try and change laws?

Anyway, back to the movie, when Vivian goes into a shop with Edward, Edward has to talk to the guy in the shop to get them to be nice to her, because they’re not at first.

He says this:

(Listen to this here at :45)
Excuse me, you know what we’re going to need here? We’re going to need a few more people helping us out. I’ll tell you why, we’re going to be spending an obscene amount of money in here. So we’re going to need a lot more help sucking up to us cause that’s what we really like, you understand that?
suck up means: attempt to gain advantage by behaving obsequiously

obsequious Adj. (formal, disapproving)
Trying too hard to please sb, especially sb who is important

So students sometimes suck up to teachers to try and get good marks.

Mr Smith your classes are so interesting, I’m learning so much.
You look nice today, nice tie!



STICK NEWS

Kia Ora, in Stick News today the man who has been leader of Cuba since 1959 has resigned.

Fidel Castro 81 years old.
He’s been the leader of Cuba for almost 50 years.
Wikipedia says Castro’s leadership has evoked both praise and condemnation. Opponents characterize Castro as a
dictator, and some say his rule is illegitimate.
Supporters, on the other hand, see Castro as a charismatic leader whose presidential authority has been acquired through legitimate elections.
For the last few years Castro has been sick and yesterday he announced he was retiring from public life.

And that was Stick News for Tuesday the 19th of February.
Kia Ora




THE SNOW REPORT
in the Annupuri Gondola


with Rob

Where are you from?
Ah, Australia, New South Wales, Newcastle.

Is this your first time in Niseko?
Yes.

What do you think of Niseko?
Excellent. Great snow, great people and good food.

Are you coming back next season?
Yes, I’ll definitely come back and bring my family with me.

Are you a skier or a snowboarder?
Downhill skier.

How did you find out about Niseko?
Ah, friends have been here and in Australia it’s being advertised a lot in the snow fields, so that’s why we came.



conversations with sarah
#395 You can't charge me for directions!
watch this conversation here at :24

Step 1: Repeat Edwards’s lines.
Step 2: Read Edwards’s lines and talk to Vivian.

Edward Could you tell me how to get to Beverly Hills?

Vivian Sure. For five bucks.

Edward You can't charge me for directions!

Vivian I can do anything I want to baby, I ain't lost.

Edward Alright. OK. You got change for twenty?

Vivian For twenty, I’ll show you in person.



links

today's news
today's STICK NEWS pictures

music

show start
artist: BrunoXe
album: aprendiendo desde 2004
track: Mandrake
from: Jerez, Spain
album at Jamendo
artist at Jamendo
artist site

the snow report start
artist: Olga Scotland
album: Scotland Yard
track: Absolute
from: Moscow, Russia
album at Jamendo
artist at Jamendo
artist site

cws start
artist: San Sebastian
track: Happy Sad
artist site

qa start
artist: ioeo
album: Groovetracks
tracks: groovetracks ending
from: Saint Raphael, France
album at Jamendo
artist at Jamendo
artist site

qa bgm
artist: NarNaoud
album: Green Vision
track: Dubbing Rules
from: Gironde, France
artist at Jamendo
album at Jamendo
artist site

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