이번주 강의 ― Annie's Mailbox

[조국현]

Annie's Mailbox의 문장이나 단어는

저널리스트가 아닌 일반 미국인들이

일상생활에서 쓰는 표현들을 고루 담고 있기 때문에

영작이나 영어회화 자료로 훌륭합니다.

쉬운 단어라도

나라면 이 자리에 이런 표현을 쓸 수 있는지 고민해 보고,

그럴 수 없는 표현이라면 한국인에게 중요한 표현입니다.

그게 진짜, 콩글리쉬가 아닌 잉글리쉬이니까요.

시사영어가

세상사에 대한 이해력과 분석력, 그리고 예측력을 길러주는 멘토라면,

Annie's Mailbox는

Annie의 통찰력 있는 충고를 감상하며

토론 실력과 설득력을 위한 훌륭한 멘토입니다.

영어 실력도 기르고, 삶의 지혜도 얻을 수 있는 Annie's Mailbox,

저와 함께 감상하시죠.

The one-date wonder

Dear Annie: I am 17, a senior in high school and have never had a girlfriend. It seems like no matter what I do, I never can find a girl to go out with. Any girl I’ve managed to date will only go out with me once, and after that, we are just friends.

I freeze up on dates and have no clue why. I’ve known one girl since I was 3, but for some reason, I couldn’t find a single thing to say to her when we were out. Mind you, I can talk to a girl all day at school, but alone with her, my mind goes blank and she loses interest.

I am tired of this happening every time and don’t want to go through the rest of the year like this. I am often told that I am good-looking and kind, but I always manage to mess things up. How can I overcome this? Any input would be greatly appreciated. — Never Kissed a Girl

Dear Never Kissed: Your shyness may be severe enough to qualify as a social anxiety disorder. Still, sometimes all it takes is practice. Because you can carry on a conversation at school, some of these girls may mistake your shyness for boredom or disdain.

Prepare a couple of things to say. Ask what she thinks about one of your classes. Tell her she looks nice or that you like her earrings. Smile. Consider going out in a group. Also, you’d be surprised to learn that some women think shy guys are adorable, and if you confess that you are nervous, they will do their best to put you at ease.

Freeloaders (밥벌레, 식충이)

Dear Annie: I have a suggestion for “Life’s a Beach,” who was tired of entertaining her husband’s freeloading relatives every summer, and he refused to tell them not to come.

We recently called friends who live out of state and asked whether it would be OK to visit them for the day. We offered to take them out for lunch, but they refused. After a simple and delicious meal, the lady of the house simply announced, “We will clear the table, and then the kitchen is closed.” My husband and I went sightseeing that afternoon and then treated our friends to dinner.

“Life’s a Beach” has to pull up her socks and stop letting them take advantage of her, even if she has to pack a sack lunch and take Hubby and the kids to the park, leaving the refrigerator nearly bare for the uninvited “guests.” If Hubby doesn’t want to join her, let him figure out what to feed his relatives.

The old saying is true: “Guests and fish go bad after three days.” People can be selfish and thoughtless unless educated by events. “Life” might invest in a sign that says “Kitchen Closed Until Further Notice,” although I’d just handwrite a note and tape it to the bathroom mirror. — A Grandmother who Loves Company but not Freeloaders in Nebraska

Dear Grandmother: It’s unfortunate that some people can be clueless or inconsiderate when it comes to good manners.