5 loves and hates about ...
Try to predict the five things that he loves and hates about Spain, from the point of view of an American tourist, before listening to the video.
What are the five things that he loves and hates? Were your predictions correct? Do you agree with him?
Listen as many times as necessary. Check the word list below - can you hear them in the video?
What are the five things that he loves and hates? Were your predictions correct? Do you agree with him?
Listen as many times as necessary. Check the word list below - can you hear them in the video?
Vocabulary:
*Hi guys! -
whether -
*awesome (adj) -
tons to love -
to dislike -
tons to love -
to dislike -
to end on a high note -
funny = (adj) -
downright hot -
Southern (adj) -
Southern (adj) -
*you'd better... -
oppressively hot -
heat (n) -
heat (n) -
a mild irritation -
the lack of ... -
to take a nap -
actually -
tourist stuff -
might not -
supplies (n) -
to purchase -
annoying (adj) -
a fool -
to rip sb off (v/n) -
to turn out -
to turn out -
to get drunk -
a pickpocket -
cool (Spanish students) -
to warn sb -
to watch out for sth -
to lock (a door) -
a bag snatcher -
the sights -
the landscape -
a fair -
the beauty -
to keep up with sb -
to have a blast -
no matter if ... -
to drive sb crazy -
to show sb around -
hot and sweaty -
*Annoying expressions:
I can't stand it when people say hello with the words "Hi guys!" - even worse "Hiya!".
They often say it at the top of their voice and with emphasis so it sounds like - Hiiiiiiiyaaaaaa guuuuuys!
I don't mind the word "guy" - an informal way to say man.
- He's a really nice guy.
- See that guy over there. Isn't he a presenter on the telly?
In English, we don't have a word for "hermanos" (male and female). We say brothers and sisters.
We don't have a word for "tios" (male and female.) We say aunts and uncles.
It also gets on my nerves when Spanish men say:
- Hola tìo! = Hey man!
- Qué pasa tìo? = What's up man?
Do Spanish men think they sound more macho or tough if they call their friends "tìo"?
Call me a male chauvenist but I think it's even worse when girls call each other "tía" - I don't think there is an equivalent word in English.
How often does the guy in the video use the word awesome?
He is American and so he can use the word as often as he likes. What drives me crazy is when I hear Brits use it. Those who say "awesome" tend to overuse it.
Awe is a feeling of wonder, fear or reverence (asombro,terror o temor reverencial).
Awesome scenery is incredibly beautiful. It is inspirational. It is jaw-dropping.
An awesome challenge is one so great that you are uncertain you will succeed.
Unfortunately, you are more likely to hear awesome in contexts like the following:
- A: I got the job. B: That's
awesome. That's great. Congratulations. - Graham is an
awesometeacher. Graham is a fun / an excellent / a brilliant teacher. Graham is the best teacher I have ever had.
*Grammar Point:
Most students think "you'd better" is the short form of "you would better". It isn't a conditional sentence. The long form is "you had better".
had ('d) better + to verb
We use it to give advice about the present or the future (even though had is a past form) or to say what is desirable in a specific situation. It is a strong expression. We use it when we think there will be negative consequences if we don't do what is suggested.
- You'd better remember her birthday. She'll be upset if you forget again.
- I think we'd better leave now otherwise we will be late.
- I'd better get back to work. I have a lot to do.
The negative form is "had (`d) better not".
- You'd better not lose the receipt. Put it in a safe place.
- He'd better not make fun of me again or else I'll get annoyed
- A: Let's take the car. B: We'd better not. There'll be a lot of traffic just now. Let's take the underground instead.
For general advice and suggestions we use "should", not "had better".
- You
'd bettershould see the new Tarantino film. It's great. - We
'd bettershould go to Istanbul next summer. My brother has just been there and he says it is an incredible city. Had I betterShould I dress smart or casual?
Comments
I've watched the five loves and hates about London. I wanted to check if other people think the same as me about this city. And more or less this man has the same opinions as me.
So we both agree that the weather in London is horrible. When he filmed the video, it was June, and he said that it looked like people were wearing winter clothes. Another thing that he doesn't like is that it's really expensive. I realised when I went there that the prices are higher than here. And also you have to be careful when you cross the streets, I am not used to look to the right and then to the left.
Then, the first thing that he loves are the museums, but I cannot give my opinion because I didn't visit any museum. Some advantages of London are: the amazing organization and support network for tourists (which I agree with) and the fact that it's and international city in all the aspects (people, customs and food as well).
I found some expressions in the video which I think are typical American, such as suck ("The weather in London does suck"). He said also "You have to squeeze yourself in." I've never heard that expression before.
In conclusion, I think that this video was really interesting, although the man talks really fast.
See you on Wednesday,
Inés
London used to be famous for its smog (think of any Sherlock Holmes movie) but it isn't a problem now. Or the pollution is simply invisible nowadays.
There isn't much they can do about the grey, drizzly days though. You just have to put up with it.
I am not used to looking right and then left.
Then, the first thing that he loves is the museums, ...
... and the fact that it's an international city in all aspects (people, customs and food as well).
He said also "You have to squeeze yourself in." I've never heard that expression before.
Is he talking about the underground when he uses "squeeze"?
Well done!
See you Wednesday - at 1630 this time :-)
I think he is a bit unfair with his comments about the weather, opening and closing times and even the lack of foreign language skills.
HATES: 2)Not many people speak a foreign language.
LOVES:1)Regionality(every Spanish region is different).
I want to add to the HATES:the dirt and the noise,and to the LOVES:the freedom.
What do you mean you love "the freedom"? The freedom to do whatever you want, regardless of what other people think?
"tronco" and "macho" kind of get on my nerves me too.
The problem is when people abuse expressions...
I don't know where you can find the perfect climate.
I remember going to Seville in May and we were totally unprepared for the weather. The streets turned into rivers and the top temperature was around 13°C.
It's true that the average level of English is surprisingly poor. Having said that, it isn't so hard to find someone with decent conversational English.
I agree that in the UK there are too many rules. If you go into any public place, there are usually lots of signs warning you what not to do.
In Spain it's the other side of the coin. People do as they please, regardless if it bothers anybody else.
... (well,the weather, maybe it depends on the region).
Ah Roberto, remember you can use the space bar. :D
So, THINGS THAT HE DISLIKES
1.The weather. He explains that a lot of people think that the weather is fantastic, in Spain, but in the summer it’s very hot and in the winter can snow even in Madrid.
2.The level of foreign language in the Spanish educational system is low. So, he advises people who come to Spain to learn some Spanish before.
3.It’s difficult to find open a shop or a pharmacy in the “siesta” time, especially
on Sunday.
4.The Spanish consider foolish to tourist. It’s frequent that they try to rip the tourist off in a taxi or in a bar, for example.
5.He warns of pickpockets. The tourists have to pay attention and don’t leave anything in the car.
THINGS THAT HE DISLIKES
1.The originality is present in Spain. Everywhere you go in Spain you’ll find different food, sights, landscapes or weathers.
2.All about “tapas”, bar, “sangria” are fantastic. Eat “tapas”, drink wine or whatever you want, make you feel like Spanish.
3.The sites in Spain: Prado Museum in Madrid, one of the first museums in the world. In Sevilla, the cathedral, the Giralda, the mosque of Cordoba, etc.. There are great museums, great sites and great nature all over.
4.Other fantastic thing in Spain is the night life (“you have a blast coming here”)
5.The people are fantastic. No matter if you are in Galicia, in Zaragoza, wherever you are, Spanish people are wonderful. They are friendly and helpuf
José Luis, professor
Thanks
I was sure that I had replied to you but I don't see my reply here. Damn!
Well, here goes again.
1.The weather. He explains that a lot of people think that the weather in Spain is fantastic, but in the summer it’s very hot and it can even snow in the winter in Madrid.
3.It’s difficult to find a shop or a pharmacy open in the “siesta” time, especially
on Sunday.
4.The Spanish think that the tourists are fools. It’s not uncommon for them to try to rip tourists off in a taxi or in a bar, for example.
5.He warns about pickpockets. The tourists have to pay attention and don’t leave anything in the car.
THINGS THAT HE DISLIKES
1.The regionality is present in Spain. Everywhere you go in Spain you’ll find different food, sights, landscapes or weather.
... makes you feel Spanish.
4.Another fantastic thing in Spain is the night life (“you'll have a blast coming here”)
Fingers crossed that you get this reply :-)
What course are you doing now?
It's Marta! I've watched the video of his likes and dislikes about Latin America. I lived there when I was a child so I could add lots of things but, summarizing and to do it in a short way I am going to comment on only some of them.
It's true that countries such as Mexico Chile or Argentina are more dangerous than Spain is, you just have to watch out for your things and not wear expensive clothes when you are in a crowded place.
About the beauty of the landscapes and buildings I am totally agree. It's really incredible and I'm looking forward to going there again, even a flying visit to say hello to my old friends.
I've only been to Mexico. That was many years ago now.
I'd love to visit Argentina.
I hope you find the blog useful. Explore it.
I agree. It's interesting to hear what others think of your own country.
Feel free to comment on other posts too.
Thanks for sharing it.
I have watched the five loves and hates about London. I was there 2 years ago and really disappointed me. I agree with the man that the weather in London is horrible and when i went there all the day was raining so i confirm that. Also the lifestyle is so expensive and i didn´t have so many money so i couldn´t do things that i want because of that.Other things he said about London is that you need to look rigt but i don´t think that these is a bad thing even i think is atractive.
Also i agree with the man that the cultural options is bigger than other places and the museums are a really good option and normaly are not so expensive or free.
Other thing that i think is really good is that London is a cosmopolitan city and you can find different options and cultures.
In conclusion, for me London is not one of my favourite cities but i know that really have appeal and many people love it.
London is a foreign city for me and I would find it difficult to live there. I can't relate to the people and it can be really stressful. However, I do recognise that it is one of the world's greatest cities.
... I was there 2 years ago and it really disappointed me. I agree with the man that the weather in London is horrible and when I went there, it was raining every day, so I can confirm that.
Also the cost of living is so high and I didn´t have so much money so I couldn´t do things that I wanted because of that.
Other things he said about London is that you need to look right but I don´t think that this is a bad thing, I even find it charming.
I also agree with the man that there are more cultural options than in other places and the museums are a really good option and normally are not so expensive or even free.
*Another thing that I think is really good is that London is a cosmopolitan city and you can find different options and cultures.
In conclusion, London is not one of my favourite cities but I know that it really has appeal and many people love it.
*
http://madteachergraham2.blogspot.com.es/2014/09/another-v-other-v-others-part-2.html
I've watched the video of his 5 loves and hates about Budapest.
I agree with him in almost all things that he says but i would add the food.
You can eat very well in Budapest, the dishes are plentiful and of very good quality. I recommend the Goulash (spicy dish made with meat, onion, pepper and paprika) and the Kürtöskalács, a hungarian pie that is sold by street. Besides, you can eat by 5-6 euros, to eat in restaurants is affordable.
Also, I would add that it´s worth seeing the city at night because all tourist attractions are lit.
On the other hand, Budapest has only three lines of subway and they are very old. Furthermore, you can doing a mess with the fare of bus and tram. You have to be careful with the ticket inspectors that always try to rip you off if you don´t know how to valid your ticket on the tram, or bus.
He says that is very difficult to understand people speaking Hungarian, and is really truth. When I went to Budapest, the Hungarians didn't try help me with the language. If they don´t speak English, they don´t try to understand you, not even with signs.
See you!
I loved Budapest. It's a city in which I can imagine myself living, though the language would be a problem. I found the people pleasant enough.
I agree with him about almost everything that he says but I would add the food.
You can eat very well in Budapest, the dishes are plentiful and of very good quality. I recommend the Goulash (spicy dish made with meat, onion, pepper and paprika) and the Kürtöskalács, a hungarian pie that is sold on the street. Besides, you can eat for 5-6 euros, to eat in restaurants is affordable.
Also, I would add that it´s worth seeing the city at night because all tourist attractions are lit up.
On the other hand, Budapest has only three lines of subway and they are very old. Furthermore, you can get into trouble with the fare of the bus and tram. You have to be careful with the ticket inspectors that always try to rip you off if you don´t know how to validate your ticket on the tram or bus.
He says that it is very difficult to understand people speaking Hungarian, and it is really true. ...
I am Maria. Finally i can watch the video about the loves and hates. I agree with this man in some things. I think that is very important to learn english to work in a bar or some tourist places, because the foreing people feels better if you can understand. It isnt't necessary learn a lot of english, but some useful words. I don't like to lie to the tourists in a taxi or in a bar, because if they come to enjoy the city, it's a bad idea lie them with the prize. The five loves that he said, there are true: Spain has a lot of different festivals, the tapas bar is considerated a cultural thing, and drink sangria or wine and eat a lot. The sightseeing is amazing, there are a lot of beautiful places like buildings or museums. Spain is the best place for the nightlife and spanish people are wonderful,not every people, but the majority (LOL).
I consider that the nap or siesta is great, and if you live in Spain, you finally will do. Of course i hate the pickpockets. And the weather in summer is very hot, especially in the South, but the solution is: if you come to Spain in August, you have to go to the North, for example, to Asturias or Santander, and if you come to Spain in winter or in spring you will go to Sevilla.
I promise i write a comment about a city that i have ever been in it, but first i need to think about it.
see you soon!
Good to see you on the blog.
It's Graham (said when on the phone, at door etc when you say who is speaking)
Finally I can watch the video about the loves and hates. I agree with this man about some things. I think that it is very important to learn English to work in a bar or some tourist places, because the foreginers feel better if you can understand. It isn't necessary to learn a lot of English, just some useful words. I don't like people lying to tourists in a taxi or bar, because if they come to enjoy the city, it's a bad idea to lie to them about the price.
The five loves that he said are true: Spain has a lot of different festivals, the tapas bar is considered a cultural thing, and drink sangria or wine and eat a lot. The sightseeing is amazing, there are a lot of beautiful places like buildings or museums. Spain is the best place for nightlife and Spanish people are wonderful, not everyone but the majority (LOL).
I consider that the nap or siesta is great, and if you live in Spain, you will end up agreeing. Of course I hate pickpockets. And the weather in summer is very hot, especially in the South, but the solution is: if you come to Spain in August, you have to go to the North, for example, to Asturias or Santander, and if you come to Spain in winter or in spring you should go to Sevilla.
I promise to write a comment about a city that I have been to, but first I need to think about it.
I wanted to watch about 5 loves and hates from London because I've been twice and I agree with this guy in some loves and hates.
Firstly, one of the hates is the weather. It's completely true, it's always cloudy and it's rain a lot. So even it is summer time you have to bring a jacket. The second hate it's that is an expensive city. Absolutely! When I was in London I spent a lot of money. Number 3, I didn't have problems with the transportation, but he said that it's a city which has a lot of delates, cancels, etc. Number 4, it's true that you can miss british-isms in London such as something about Shakespeare. And the last one, it's a city with a lot of tourist and you have to be careful when you cross the streets even if the ground is painted "look right". To sum up the hates I my opinion I would put in one of the hates: people. For my experience, in general people from there were serious, unfriendly and if you don't put the correct accent in english they don't help you.
On the other hand, on of the loves are the great museums, I went to the British museum and it was awesome. The second love, when you can see the changing of the guard, in my opinion it's true it was a unique experience. Number 3, it's completely true that London is an Internacional city, people from other countries, others cultures, customs, etc. Number 4, and probably my favorite it is the food, you can taste a lot of kind of food, such as american restaurant, japanese, italian, hindu, etc. Also pubs and bars. And the last one, the amazing organization and support network for tourists, I agree with him.
In conclusion, I think it is an amazing and important city.
See you on tuesday,
Thans!
Nuria
London is undoubtedly a great city although I wouldn't like to live there. It's not an easy city to get around and it's too stressful.
I wanted to watch about 5 loves and hates from London because I've been twice and I agree with this guy about some loves and hates.
Firstly, one of the hates is the weather. It's completely true, it's always cloudy and it rains a lot. So even if it is summer time you have to bring a jacket.
The second hate is that it is an expensive city. Absolutely! When I was in London I spent a lot of money.
Number 3, I didn't have problems with the transportation, but he said that it's a city which has a lot of delays, cancellations, etc.
Number 4, it's true that you can miss british-isms in London such as something about Shakespeare. I'm not really sure what you mean here.
And the last one, it's a city with a lot of tourists and you have to be careful when you cross the streets even if "look right" is painted at the edge of the street.
To sum up the hates. in my opinion I would put the people in one of the hates. In my experience, in general people there were serious, unfriendly and if you don't speak with the correct accent in English, they don't help you.
...
Number 3, it's completely true that London is an Internacional city, people from other countries, other cultures, customs, etc.
Number 4, and probably my favorite, is the food, you can taste a lot of kind of food, such as American, Japanese, Italian, Indian, etc.
...
Didn't this guy make a video about Barcelona?
He doesn't like the weather, the lack of a foreign language, having to go shopping at siesta time or on Sundays, being ripped off as a tourist and pickpockets.
The things he liked are very predictable, but the things he didn't like have surprised me a lot.
I don't agree with being ripped off in the bars of Spain, in all of them you can see the menu, with the prices.
I also don't agree that there are many pickpockets on the streets, I think Spain is a very safe country.
And finally, he says that English is not spoken much here or any other language... And in the USA? How many languages do Americans speak?
I think he was struggling to come up with 5 dislikes. Most people, including this guy, enjoy the Spanish climate. Some people think we always have warm sunshine in Spain and don't expect it to ever get cold, so I guess he was just warning people.
I agree that Spain is a relatively safe country though Madrid and Barcelona do have more than their fair share of pickpockets. Are you more likely to be ripped off in Spain? If you compare it to Italy, absolutely not.
e loves tapas, culture, people, nightlife and regionality.
He doesn't like the weather, the lack of a foreign language, having to go shopping at siesta time or on Sundays, being ripped off as a tourist and pickpockets.
The things he liked are very predictable, but it was the things he didn't like which really surprised me.
I don't agree with him about being ripped off in the bars of Spain - in all of them you can see the menu with the prices.
I also don't think that there are so many pickpockets on the streets, I think Spain is a very safe country.
And finally, he says that English is not spoken much here or any other languages... And in the USA? How many languages do Americans speak?
I just saw the two videos on the page and I do agree with the man talking about Spain. Definitely coming to Spain on summer is not a good idea, altough we are renowed for having a great weather.
As for as the good things, I also agree with the guy. I've always though Spain had an average life outdoors and nightlife, yet after traveling to diferent places of Europe and USA I realised that the reality outside our country is diferent.
Regarding to the second video, I enjoyed it and laughed, I think the woman got a little bit too excited talking about bees and sharks jajaja. As well as her, I also think the word awesome is oversued, I also noticed this listening the american guy talking in the videos.
Apart from these two videos, I also saw another about 5 things I love and hate about London from the same guy. After spending 2 months of my life in London I can identify with what he says. The weather sucks and everything is quite pricey. But these things didn't put me off on doing activities outdoors. As for as the public transport I had a good experience with it, it was quite fast and organised, so in this point I disagree with the man. Neither I agree with the cultural feeling, I do remember it was an international city, but despite of that you can see many characteristics features about the city and its culture, such as queen's souvenirs everywhere, harrods shops or the music.
I wonder if this guy is still travelling and making videos from every place he visits. I think he always makes a comment about the price of things - Americans are obsessed with money.
I just saw the two videos on the page and I do agree with what the man says about Spain. Coming to Spain in summer is definitely not a good idea, even though we are renowned for having great weather.
As far as the good things are concerned, I also agree with the guy. I had always thought Spain had an average life outdoors and nightlife, yet after travelling to different places in Europe and the USA, I realised that in comparison it is better here.
Regarding the second video, I enjoyed it and laughed, I think the woman got a little bit over-excited talking about bees and sharks jajaja. Like her, I also think the word awesome is overused, I also noticed this listening to the American guy talking in the videos.
Apart from these two videos, I also saw another 5 things I love and hate about London from the same guy. After spending 2 months of my life in London, I can identify with what he says. The weather sucks and everything is quite pricey. But these things didn't put me off doing activities outdoors.
As for the public transport, I had a good experience with it, it was quite fast and organised, so on this point, I disagree with the man. Neither do I agree with the cultural feeling, I do remember it was an international city, but despite that, you can see many characteristics of the city and its culture, such as Queen-related souvenirs everywhere, Harrods shops or the music.