HeadWay English course/ Intermediate - Interview about London | Текст песни

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• HeadWay English course/ Intermediate
• Interview about London

- Alan, how long have you lived in London?
- Fifteen years.
- And do you like it here?
- Sure I like it – but London is one of those cities that you love and hate at the same time.
- So first – what do you hate?
- Oh the usual big city things – the crowds, the dirt, the traffic, and of course the Underground – it’s so expensive compared with subway in New York.
- And what do you like?
- Oh, a lot: fantastic theaters – I’m an actor so that’s important for me – great art galleries, museums, I love the Natural History Museum. Concerts, wonderful orchestras. The best of everything comes to London.
- And what’s best for you?
- For me? Oh, I just love standing on Waterloo Bridge and looking down the river at the Houses of Parliament and now, of course there’s the London Eye – I think it’s just wonderful. And I like travelling in the black cabs. Taxi drivers here are great, so friendly! They tell you their life stories and they know every street in London – not like in New York.
- And what about the people? What do you think of Londoners?
- Ah well – generally speaking, I think that they do live up to their reputation – they are reserved. It takes a while to get to know people. They won’t tell you about themselves. You say to an American “Now are you?” and you get “Oh, man! I’m just great. I got the promotion and I love working here in Dallas, Denver, Detroit or Delaware etc.” you know. Ask an Englishman “Now are you?” and you get “Er… fine, thank you”
- So the stereotype’s true?
- Yeah, they’re – they’re pretty reserved. They don’t like giving personal details, but they complain a lot about life generally. They seem much less positive about life – much more cynical than Americans. They grumble about transport and politicians and money, how much things cost, their work …
- So, we’re a miserable lot then!
- Not really. Leisure time – sorry free time – is really important to the British. I think for many Americans, work is the most important thing in their lives. Americans work much longer hours. In Britain they get more vacation time and time off …
- … and still they grumble!
- Yeah.
- You’ve been in London 15 years. Has it changed in that time?
- Oh yeah a lot – especially the shops, they stay open much longer now. They used to close every Wednesday afternoon. People in the States could never believe that. Oh and the food!
- Everyone says English food is terrible. Is it?
- Well, when I first came it was terrible. It was so hard to get good food. Nowadays it’s not hard at all. London has some great restaurants – my favourite here is the Indian food, it’s fantastic. I think we have one of the best right here on our street. Just the best!
- You live in south London. Do you like it there?
- Very much. I love the mix of cultures and nationalities in every street.
- Now long do you think you’ll stay here?
- Oh, I don’t know. Maybe five more years. Maybe forever!


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