Proper British English on the Streets of London - B2 Listening

Real English With Real Teachers

8 Feb 201704:00

Summary

TLDRIn this lively street interview at Piccadilly Circus, people share the personal items they would never lend to others. Responses range from a microphone used for beatboxing, cherished keepsakes like a Buzz Lightyear toy and Chelsea boots, to everyday items like pillows, makeup brushes, and chef knives. Some cite emotional attachment, hygiene concerns, or fear of damage as reasons. The discussion touches on the personal significance of these possessions and the boundaries people set around them, making for a relatable and engaging conversation.

Takeaways

🎤 People often have personal items they would never lend to others due to sentimental value or hygiene reasons.
🤢 One individual wouldn't lend their microphone because it's used for beatboxing and gets dirty.
🛏️ Jim wouldn't lend his pillow, as he feels it's too personal and involves close contact with his face.
📱 Another person would never lend their phone due to privacy concerns and the secrets it holds.
🔪 A chef is protective of their knives and wouldn't let anyone use them because they are expensive and easily ruined.
🧸 A person is emotionally attached to their Buzz Lightyear toy and their uncle's old boots, which they wouldn't lend to anyone.
💄 Makeup brushes are another item that some wouldn't lend, as improper use can damage them.
🍲 Someone mentioned they wouldn't lend their Kimchi, a traditional food item.
👁️ Sharing eye makeup, like mascara and eyeliner, can lead to infections like styes, which is why some avoid lending these items.
👩‍🏫 The video concludes with a note to the audience, encouraging them to avoid sharing eye products to prevent infections.

Q & A

Why wouldn't the first person lend their microphone to anyone?
-The person wouldn't lend their microphone because it's dirty from beatboxing into it all the time, even though they clean it daily, it's still filthy.
What is Jim's reason for not lending his pillow to someone?
-Jim wouldn't lend his pillow because he sleeps on it all night and doesn't want someone else's germs on his face.
Why would the chef never lend his knives to anyone?
-The chef would never lend his knives because they are expensive, and he doesn't want anyone to ruin them.
What are the sentimental items mentioned that the owners wouldn't lend?
-The sentimental items mentioned are a Buzz Lightyear toy given by the speaker's grandfather before he passed away and old-school bourbon Chelsea boots from an uncle who also passed away.
Why wouldn't the speaker lend their makeup brushes?
-The speaker wouldn't lend their makeup brushes because others might use them incorrectly, causing the bristles to go funny.
What is the reason given for not lending mascara?
-The reason given for not lending mascara is that it can cause a sty, which is a small bump or eye infection caused by bacteria buildup.
What is a sty, according to the conversation?
-A sty is described as a small bump or infection that forms on the eye due to bacteria buildup.
Why does one person not want to share their kimchi?
-The person simply states they wouldn't lend their kimchi, the fermented food, to anyone.
What advice is given regarding sharing eye products?
-The advice given is to never share eye products with other females to avoid getting a sty or other eye infections.
What is the general theme of the items people would not lend?
-The general theme is that people wouldn't lend items that are either highly personal, hold sentimental value, or could lead to hygiene issues if shared.

Outlines

00:00

🎤 Never Lend Your Microphone!

The speaker, standing in Piccadilly Circus, asks Londoners which possession they would never lend to another person. The speaker personally wouldn't lend their microphone because it's dirty from beatboxing. Despite cleaning it daily, it's still filthy. Jim, another interviewee, shares that he would never lend his pillow due to personal hygiene reasons. This segment humorously explores the personal and intimate nature of certain items people hold dear.

📱 Secrets of the Phone and the Chef's Knives

Another person shares that they would never lend their phone, explaining that it's too personal and full of secrets. A chef chimes in, saying he would never lend his knives, as they are both expensive and critical to his profession. He emphasizes his attachment to them and his reluctance to let anyone else use them, even his close friends.

🧸 Sentimental Items: Toys and Boots

In this section, one individual shares that they would never lend their Buzz Lightyear toy, which has sentimental value because it was a gift from their grandfather before he passed away. Similarly, they wouldn't lend their uncle's bourbon Chelsea boots, as they hold personal memories. Aside from these sentimental items, they feel comfortable lending anything else.

💄 Makeup Brushes and Other Personal Items

Two women discuss their reluctance to lend makeup brushes. They explain that others misuse them, which ruins the bristles. The discussion shifts to other personal beauty products like kimchi and mascara, with participants expressing concerns over hygiene and contamination, particularly in relation to sharing eye products, which can lead to styes or infections.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Possession

A possession refers to an item that belongs to someone. In the context of the video, each person interviewed talks about a personal possession they would never lend to another person, highlighting their attachment to certain items. Examples from the script include microphones, pillows, phones, and makeup brushes.

💡Microphone

A microphone is a device used to amplify or record sound. In the video, one person states they would never lend their microphone to someone else because it is dirty and they frequently beatbox into it, making it a personal and potentially unsanitary item. This reflects the theme of personal boundaries regarding possessions.

💡Pillow

A pillow is a soft cushion used to support the head while sleeping. Jim, one of the people interviewed, says he would never lend his pillow to anyone because it's a personal item used every night. This highlights the personal nature of items related to comfort and hygiene.

💡Phone

A phone, specifically a mobile phone, is a personal electronic device used for communication and various digital activities. In the video, someone mentions they would never lend their phone because it contains 'too many secrets,' suggesting a deep sense of privacy and personal security associated with the device.

💡Chef Knives

Chef knives are specialized knives used for cooking. One interviewee, a chef, refuses to lend his knives to anyone due to their high value and the risk of damage. This illustrates the importance of professional tools and how their personal value can extend beyond monetary worth.

💡Buzz Lightyear Toy

A Buzz Lightyear toy is a figure representing a character from the 'Toy Story' movie series. In the video, an individual states they would never lend this toy because it holds sentimental value as a gift from their grandfather who passed away. This reflects how certain possessions carry emotional weight and irreplaceable memories.

💡Mascara

Mascara is a cosmetic product used to enhance the eyelashes. One person in the video mentions they would never lend their mascara because it can cause eye infections like a sty, emphasizing the theme of hygiene and personal care in relation to shared items.

💡Sty

A sty is a small, painful bump that can appear on the eyelid due to bacterial infection. The video discusses how sharing mascara can lead to styes, which reinforces the broader theme of the video about the personal nature of certain possessions and the reasons people might choose not to share them due to health concerns.

💡Makeup Brushes

Makeup brushes are tools used to apply cosmetics. In the video, someone mentions they wouldn't lend their makeup brushes because others might misuse them, damaging the bristles. This reflects concerns about both hygiene and proper care of personal beauty tools.

💡Kimchi

Kimchi is a traditional Korean fermented dish made from vegetables and a variety of seasonings. An interviewee humorously mentions they would never lend their kimchi, highlighting cultural or personal preferences and the unique nature of certain possessions that may not traditionally be considered 'lendable.'

Highlights

The interviewer would never lend their microphone due to its constant use for beatboxing, making it dirty despite daily cleaning.

Jim mentions that he would never lend his pillow because of its personal and intimate use during sleep.

A participant jokingly mentions that they would never lend their walking stick.

Another interviewee states that they would never lend their phone due to personal secrets.

A chef explains that they would never lend their knives because they are expensive and could be ruined by others.

The chef also emphasizes that no one, not even close acquaintances, is allowed to use his knives.

One person shares that they would never lend their Buzz Lightyear toy, as it holds sentimental value from their late grandfather.

The same participant also wouldn't lend their uncle's old-school bourbon Chelsea boots, again due to sentimental reasons.

A woman mentions she would never lend her makeup brushes because others might use them incorrectly, damaging the bristles.

Another participant echoes the sentiment, agreeing that lending makeup brushes can lead to them being misused.

One person states that they would never lend their kimchi, showing how even food items can be personal possessions.

A woman would never lend her mascara due to the risk of getting a sty, a common eye issue.

The conversation delves into what a sty is, explaining it as a bump caused by bacteria, emphasizing the importance of not sharing eye products.

Another participant agrees, stating that sharing eye products like eyeliner can lead to infections.

The interview ends with a reminder from the participants: never share your eye products, especially among females.