(Intermediate) Haggling scene (Monty Python)

The weird ritual of street market negotiation...

Watch:

Haggling scene

Brian is desperately trying to escape the Roman soldiers. He tries to purchase a disguise in a hurry. 

Who says it? Write B for Brian and S for Seller 

“How much? Quick!” 

“It’s for the wife” 

“There you are” 

“Wait a minute” 

“Do we have to?” 

“Now look” 

“Come one do it properly!” 

“Oh dear oh dear” 

“That’s more like it!” 

“Now you’re getting it” 

“Did I hear you right?” 

“You want to ruin me?” 

“Are you joking!? 

“My last word” 

“Nice to do business with you” 

“That’s fine that’s fine” 

“You must be mad!” 

(Any level) Sign of the Times

Andres Serrano purchased 200 signs from homeless people in New York City. The collection tells the story of poverty in America and the world.

Watch video:

Sign of the Times


Verb forms - chose the best one - or both, if both are possible....

Sign of the Times was conceived in early October when I started seeing / to see what I perceived as a greater number of homeless people in New York City. As a native New Yorker, it surprised me because I had / have never seen so many people beg / begging and sleep / sleeping on the streets. It occurred to me to start buying / to buy the signs that the homeless use to ask for money.

I immersed myself in the project, going out almost on a daily basis and walking five, six, seven hours a day. Once, I even walked 12 hours around the city – uptown to Harlem, East and West, downtown to Battery Park and back home to the East Village. I never took transportation anywhere because I felt that since the homeless live on the streets, I had to walk the streets like they do. After a while, a few said me / to me, "I've heard of you. You're the guy going around to buy / buying signs. I was wondering if you were ever going to find me." I bought about 200 signs and usually offered $20 which they were happy, even ecstatic, to get / getting. (Once, though, I saw a sign that said, "Just need $10". So I said to the guy, "I'll give you $10 for it" and he said, "You got it. I guess the sign did its job!")

What struck me about the people who sold me their signs was their willingness to let go /  going of them. It was as if they had little attachment to them even though some signs had been with them for a long time. Of course, they needed the money. Many people would tell me they made / had made nothing that day. But I also think that those who possess little have less attachment to material things. They know what it's like to live with less.

I had a certain way of approaching people. Whenever I saw anyone sit / sitting on the street with a sign I wanted, I would crouch down, but not sit down. To sit down next to them would be like to sit / sitting on their couch without to ask / asking permission. But by crouching down, I could look them in the eye and be / being on the same level. Then I would say, "Can I ask you a question?"

They always said yes and I'd say, "I'm an artist. And artists see things in a different way. And one of the things I see are the signs the homeless have / has. I'm buying these signs because I see /  am seeing every sign as a story. There are many stories out here that should be heard. Can I offer / to offer you $20 for your sign?" They would all say yes, and it was touching / touched me how grateful many people were when I bought their sign. I had got / got several hugs and many a "God bless you."

I bought signs from people of all ages, including some who were my age. I remember to buy /  buying a sign from a man in his 60s who was sitting / sat outside the McDonald's around 10pm. He looked at me as if I was an angel from heaven. He had pennies in his cup and couldn't believe I wanted / had wanted to give him $20 for his sign. He said, "Now, I can get a bed and a meal."

The youngest person I bought a sign from was probably 16. I forgot asking / to ask her age, but she could have been even younger. Her sign read:

Mom had told / told us to wait right here. That was 10 years ago.

Read more and check here:

Andres Serrano

(Student Writing - B1.3 level) Ojigi - Bow (by Kimie)

Teacher's note: First of all, thank you Kimie. I really admire how brave and determined you are in using my stupid language so expressively and generously. I can't even make one sentence in Japanese so you should be very very proud of your abilities in my language. 

In Japan there's a unique greeting custom: “ojigi”. You may know it a_ “bowing” in English. All Japanese understand how to bow from childhood. It's quite natural. We ___ this gesture not only to greet, but also to apologise and ___ expressing gratitude.

You can see people bowing anywhere, any time. Actually, if you think about it, it's a really funny custom. But we’re not kidding at all. “Ojigi” as a custom is expresses truly Japanese values. We express our feelings with a bow.

In general, people bow with respect and a warm mind. One thing that is important is the bowing angle. There are three ____ of different angles which express three meanings.

1. “Eshaku”  

This light bow is for informal greeting_ (bowing angle: about 15 degrees). We usually use this standard form instead of saying “Hello!”

2.  “Keirei” 

This is a general formal bow. It can express greeting or apology (bowing angle: about 30 degrees).

3. “Saikeirei”

This deepest bow is highly effective in showing respect or offering a deep apology (bowing angle: about 45 degrees)

Saikeirei is not used very often. Only when needed.

The Japanese place a lot of importance on pleasing others. If you visit Japan, you may notice that people are very friendly and polite there! After leaving, you may want to come back to Japan, and also you might keep on bowing in NZ!

- Kimie

Compare the original text: see how many changes you can find.

Uncorrected text

In Japan has a unique greet custom as you may know it called “Ojigi” “Bow” in English

We usually use this gesture so as to greet, not only greeting but also it can be shown apology and expressing gratitude as well.

All Japanese have understood how to bow since we were child. That’s quite natural

You can look at  people who are bowing anywhere everywhere at any time.

Actually, if you think about that…that’s really funny.

But we’re not kidding at all .that’ why Japanese value “Ojigi” as a custom.

All people express our feeling with bow.

In general, people bow with respect and warm mind equally important is bowing angle.

There is three of different angle which mean different degrees of bow has a different mean about three ways of expressing.

*A light bow called “Eshaku” is for informal greeting (bowing angle, about 15 degrees)

“Hello!” usually we use this standard form instead of saying “Hello!”

*The other one a general bow called “Keirei” is formal. 

It can express greeting or showing apology to someone (bowing angle, about 30degrees)

*And one more a deep bow called “Saikeirei”

We think this way should highly effective against showing respect or telling deep apology (bowing angle, about 45 degrees)

We don’t use very often just use it when it’s needed.

People pay a lot of attention to give others satisfaction in Japan

If you visit to Japan, you may notice that People are very friendly and polite there!

After you leaving, you may want to come back to Japan and also you might bow in NZ!

kimie