F2F Class Notes September 20th (Ben)

back-to-back

Feel free to use the restroom.

weird, odd
mind-bending

Mind-bending movies often tend to make you puzzled and confused.

Mind-bending movies tend to change your way of perceiving things.

perceive = see, consider
—

a situation 情况

The situation in Greece is very bad: high unemployment and low salaries are very common.
Unfortunately, that is an ordinary situation in Europe.

a common situation = an ordinary situation
common = ordinary = 司空见惯

A ‘situation’ is also away to say ‘a problem’.

 I am in a difficult situation: my girlfriend has met my ex.

a status 地位
In many countries, a car is a sign of social status.
In China, teachers have a good social status.
When applying for a tourist visa to Europe, richer people and poorer people have the same status.
Many parents want their children to reach a better status than them.

circumstances = the environment, the details of a situation.
The situation is the big picture, the circumstances are the details.

 I don’t know the circumstances of the accident.
Under which circumstances = How ?
Under which circumstances did you hear about Smart English?
Under normal circumstances, I don’t get up before 10.

 You might need to work overtime, but only in special circumstances.
I said I would pay you today, but the circumstances have changed.

You need to look at all the circumstances of a situation.
Or else, you will take an useless action because of changed circumstances. 刻舟求剑

Situation: the sword fell from the boat
Circumstances: the boat has moved since

We are having a situation right now. The police is coming to inspect the office.

You need to know the specific circumstances of the general situation.

condition
1. 条件
There are 2 conditions if you want to go out tonight: You must give me a call and come back before midnight.
If you don’t like the item, we will give you a refund with no conditions.

— 10 HOURS OF ENGLISH LESSONS FOR FREE !!— (*)

*conditions may apply

 2. 状态
The country is in a bad condition.
If you buy an item in a bad condition, you can get a refund with no conditions.

 3. 病情
I have a heart condition.
I have a back condition. My back is in a bad condition.

My kid doesn’t have any condition, but he often creates situations. However, he is a good kid under normal circumstances.

regular =
1. that happens often
regularly = often
I am a regular customer of the restaurant next door.

 2. standard
This fabric is regular. I like regular-sized women.

 3. normal
Under regular circumstances, my kid is very nice.

——
-Do you have a girlfriend yet?

There is an interesting general situation in China, that parents tend to handle their children’s love life very closely.

Many mothers and fathers are constantly looking for the perfect match for their kid, even when that kid is over 30.

For many families from poorer conditions, marrying is indeed a way to reach a better social status and a better general situation.

Under some circumstances, some parents even buy the services of a match-maker to find the perfect fit.

This is becoming more and more common in China. It is ordinary to see parents and grandparents going to regular meetings where questions about money and status become very normal.

However, this often creates a situation after the wedding is pronounced, as people who let their family take all decisions are commonly said to be plain and ordinary.