Ex. 7 Talk about the advantages and disadvantages of

a) buying things from catalogues;

b) shopping online.

Ex. 8 Give expanded answers to the following questions. Express your opinion.

1. Do you think that TV advertisements influence people?.

2. If you had a possibility which kind of shopping would you prefer: shopping from catalogues or shopping online?

Ex. 9 Write an essay: "New trends in shopping".

Text 9

Fashion

 

       Fashion is an entirely unnecessary and yet delightful detail of human life. No one could contend that a person who did not follow the fashion was lacking in any great mental or moral quality; yet to be in the fashion has given joy in age after age, not only to the women who are thus up-to-date in the costume, but to the men who behold them.

      As a rule, men’s attitude towards women’s fashion is one of amused tolerance. They pretend that they are unable to detect the nice distinctions between the latest model from Paris and a dress that is hopelessly out of date. But they are in reality just as eager to conform to the popular idea of what is and what is not worn.

      But men’s fashions change slowly, and men, unlike women, like to be the last to leave an old fashion rather than the first to embrace a new. They have no desire either, that their womenfolk should be in the very front rank of fashion. It would make them embarrassed to be seen in public with a woman who was wearing something which caused every eye to be turned upon her. But they like their wives to be dressed as most other women are dressed.

     Fashion is an arbitrary mistress to whom most women are slaves, but though her mandates are often unreasonable and not seldom absurd, she is followed willingly, for the reward she offers is that sense of adventure and variety which is the spice of life.

Ex. 1. Find English equivalents to the following:

   Совершенно бесполезная и все же восхитительная деталь, никто не смог бы утверждать, из поколения в поколение; созерцать; не в состоянии различить; подчиниться мнению; первыми броситься в объятия новому; их женщины; быть в первых рядах моды; приводить в смущение; притягивать к себе каждый взгляд; капризная владычица; награда; ощущение приключения и разнообразия; изюминка жизни.

 

Ex. 2. Say whether these statements are true or false.

1. No one would contend that a person who followed fashion was lacking in any great mental or moral quality.

2. To be in fashion is always tiresome.

3. As a rule men's attitude towards women's fashions is one of the amused impatience.

4. The men are eager to conform to the popular idea of what is and what is not worn.

5. Men's fashions change slowly and that is why they are always the first to embrace a new fashion.

6. It would make them embarrassed to be seen in public with a woman who was wearing something which is out-of-date.

7. They would like their wives to be dressed as most other women are dressed.

 

Ex. 3 State the difference between men's and women's attitude towards fashion.

Ex. 4 What does fashion mean: a) for men; b) for women; c) for you.

Give your reasons.

Ex. 5 Write an essay "My attitude to fashion".

QUIZ

What sort of shopper are you?

Value

If we are buying some big item that has to last a long time, we cannot afford to make a mistake. We often learn by hard experience, but there are many precautions we can take and tips we can learn to make sure that we receive value for our money and choose what we really want.

Best buyers

We all buy things – occasionally something exciting that we have been wanting for a long time, more often rather dull, routine things that we need for everyday living. In both cases we want to enjoy spending our money and have satisfaction from the purchases. We want the best we can get; no one wants to feel cheated or that money has been wasted. It is worth taking a little trouble to learn to be a clever and contented shopper.

1. If you are given money for your birthday do you:

(a) Go out as soon as you can to browse around the shops and find something to buy?

(b) Put it towards something you are saving up for?

(c) Enjoy thinking about what you could do with it before deciding?

 

2. If you had to do the weekend shopping for the family would you:

(a) Make a list of everything wanted and keep to it?

(b) Make a list, but probably change your mind when you got to the shops?

(c) Buy things as you went along and hope the money would work out?

 

3. When you can choose where to shop, do you prefer:

(a) The supermarket?

(b) The street market?

(c) The local general shop?

(d) The High Street or main shopping centre?

 

4. If you are going to buy something that must last a long time – say a tape recorder or a sewing machine, do you:

(a) Go to a local shop and choose from what they have in stock?

(b) Spend some time finding out about tape recorders or sewing machines so that you know what to look for and what questions to ask before you buy?

(c) Choose a shop which specializes in what you want and ask the advice of an experienced sales assistant?

 

5. If you are going to buy a suit or dress do you:

(a) Fall in love with something in a shop window and buy it without trying it on?

(b) Choose several garments and try them all on before deciding?

(c) Check up on what you already have, decide what you need most and what colour would fit in best and go to as many shops as possible to find what you are looking for?

 

6. If you want something practical to wear for everyday – say a shirt or a blouse, do you:

(a) Buy what looks right without checking whether it will wash well, is drip dry, or will need ironing or dry cleaning?

(b) Look for a label on the garment giving this information and if there isn't one, check with the sales assistant?

(c) Decide in advance that you need a blouse or shirt that drip dries and only look at that kind when shopping?

 

7. When buying a gadget or piece of equipment do you:

(a) Find an advertisement that describes exactly what you want and ask for that particular product when you go shopping?

(b) Choose a good shop, discuss with the sales assistant what you want and what it will be used for and take his advice into consideration before buying?

(c) Read carefully any guarantees and keep the receipt?

 

8. If you buy something that proves unsatisfactory – a gadget that does not work or a garment that falls to pieces, do you:

(a) Think it's just too bad and do nothing more about it?

(b) Go back to the shop, complain about being cheated and demand your money back?

(c) Either write to, or ask to see, the manager and state what has happened as politely as possible?

 

Quiz - Answers

Are you safe with money?

If your answer is (a), you are probably impulsive and imaginative with a gift for enjoying yourself. The enjoyment is probably worth a lot, but you may lose in other ways. You probably buy something that you will lose interest in very quickly, that isn't really what you want or very good value for money. If you are like this, try this experiment: On the days you haven't any money to spend, take time to look around at what is available, and read articles about things you are likely to want to buy in the future. Then you will have some idea of what is good value before you rush out and buy. Score 1.

       This advice also holds good if your answer was (b) or (c), so that when it comes to the point of actually buying something, you know what is available. You are more likely to get good value and choose wisely, because you give yourself more time. Score 2 each.

2.Weekend shopping

If (a), then you are strong minded, unlikely to be suddenly tempted by special offers and displays and can probably make a budget work. But you may miss a real bargain or a lot of fun if you are too rigid. Score 3.

       Answer (b)? Watch what it is that makes you change your mind. Are you pleased you did when you get home, or rather cross about it? Did you get a real bargain or a pig in a poke? Remember the supermarket is specially designed to tempt you and make you buy all sorts of things you don't really want. There may even be background music to put you in a melting mood. You are probably just the sort of customer they hope to get! Score 2.

       Answer (c)? You could either be a very skilful and experienced shopper, or a very careless one. An experienced housewife, for example, would know the local shops and go out to see what they have in stock that she could use. Food in season is fresh and often cheap – and she would recognize it and know how to prepare it. She would also know the prices of things very well and would immediately recognize good value. Experience of knowing how much to spend on each item would make it possible for her to budget as she went along: a little extravagance on one item could be saved on another. If you reckon you could be this kind of clever shopper. Score 4.

       On the other hand, if you haven't a clue about prices, or what is in season or where to shop for good value, and are just being careless and lazy in not making a list, score 1.

 

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