【明報專訊】Unlike most people, Britons do not seem to be annoyed by unpredictable weather.
“ Dr Panda: The sun's come out. A lovely day, isn't it? ”
“ Pat: We couldn't ask for a better day than this. ”
“ Pat: Oh! Are we expecting constant rain? ”
“ Dr Panda: Bit of a cold wind, probably. ”
“ Eason: Why are they so obsessed with talking about the weather? ”
■Culture tips
People in the UK often start a conversation by discussing the weather. It is a well-known British trait. A survey discovered that British people spend six months of their lives talking about the weather. It is believed that the unpredictable weather in the UK gives its people a chance to talk about something different every day. Weather is also considered a neutral and casual topic of conversation which helps break the ice when one meets strangers, or when one doesn't want to have a serious or meaningful conversation with someone.
(See photo C )
■English highway﹕break the ice
It is a phrase that means making people feel more friendly and willing to talk to each other.
e.g. He tried to break the ice by sharing with me a bar of chocolate.
■Glossary
unpredictable (adj) 變幻莫測的
obsessed (adj) 着迷的
trait (n) 特點
neutral (adj)中立的
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