PE2 2 Giving opinions

Summary

In a conversation between friends at a restaurant, the topic of New York versus London arises. Carrie prefers New York for its hustle and excitement, calling it the greatest city in the world, while Rob and others express a fondness for London's more relaxed and peaceful atmosphere. Rob highlights London's charm, from its parks to cycling-friendly streets, while the debate continues with differing views on city life. Despite the contrasting opinions, the group remains friendly, and the conversation takes an amusing turn when a forgotten cell phone causes a brief interruption.

Takeaways

• 😀 Carrie is uncertain about when she'll return to New York.
• 😀 The waitstaff in New York are very attentive and tend to interrupt conversations.
• 😀 The waiter in London is friendly but doesn't intrude as much, creating a more relaxed atmosphere.
• 😀 Carrie thinks people in London are more easygoing compared to the hectic nature of New York.
• 😀 Carrie believes New York is possibly the greatest city in the world, but it's busy and overwhelming.
• 😀 Rob, who has lived in both cities, acknowledges London's relaxed vibe, parks, and cycling opportunities.
• 😀 Cycling is considered dangerous in New York, where driving is more common.
• 😀 Rob admits that London has its own charm but still finds New York incomparable.
• 😀 Carrie feels that New Yorkers' friendliness is often superficial and not entirely genuine.
• 😀 Carrie receives a call from a taxi driver about a left-behind cell phone, showing that New Yorkers are still helpful despite their busy nature.

Q & A

What are the two cities being compared in the conversation?

The two cities being compared are New York and London.

What is the main difference in the way waiters interact with customers in New York and London?

In New York, waiters are more intrusive and constantly check on customers, while in London, they are friendly but less frequent in their interactions.

What does the speaker think about the friendliness of New Yorkers?

The speaker feels that New Yorkers are friendly but that their friendliness may feel insincere or fake, especially with phrases like 'have a nice day.'

How does Rob describe London in comparison to New York?

Rob describes London as more relaxed, with great parks, a better environment for cycling, and overall less hectic than New York.

Why does the speaker think New York is the greatest city in the world?

The speaker believes that New York is the greatest city in the world because it is a melting pot of people from all over the world.

What are the drawbacks of New York, according to the conversation?

The drawbacks of New York, according to the conversation, are that it is too big, too crowded, and people are often stressed out and don't have time for others.

What is Rob’s opinion on cycling in New York?

Rob thinks that cycling in New York is dangerous and questions why anyone would cycle when it's easy to drive a car.

What specific charm does London have according to the conversation?

London is described as having its own peculiar charm, with a more relaxed atmosphere, great parks, and a more bike-friendly environment.

What does the speaker think about the idea of New York being too big?

The speaker acknowledges that New York is big, but believes that the size of the city is part of what makes it great, as it brings the whole world together.

Why does the speaker feel that New Yorkers' friendliness can seem fake?

The speaker feels that New Yorkers' friendliness, particularly phrases like 'have a nice day,' may feel superficial or insincere, lacking depth in personal connection.