Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- stereotype /STEER-ee-uh-tahyp/
- shun /shuhn/
- excruciating /ik-SKROO-shee-ey-ting/
- get under somebody’s skin /get UHN-der SUHM-bod-eez skin/
- beholder /bih-HOHL-der/
[noun] – a set idea that people have about what someone or something is like, especially an idea that is wrong
It’s a stereotype that Americans eat burgers than actual meals.
[verb] – to ignore someone and not speak to that person because you cannot accept their behavior, beliefs, etc.
He was shunned by his friends for his habitual telling of lies.
[adjective] – extremely painful
This weekend is so excruciating. There’s nothing interesting to do.
[idiom] – to annoy someone
Weather changes have been getting under my skin lately.
[noun] – a person who sees or looks at someone or something
Beauty is subjective. As they say, it lies in the eyes of the beholder.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
We snap-judge those who fit “boring” stereotypes, assuming they’re less capable than the typical person and unfairly shunning them in social situations. Why do such people make us yawn before meeting or conversing with them?
New research shows that people have a lot of notions about what makes a stereotypical bore. These biases may not be objectively true but can have detrimental repercussions. You may miss out on a potentially nice chat if you go into a meeting with negative expectations, whereas a more open mind may allow a budding friendship to blossom. A 2014 research done at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, has proven that boredom is one of our most excruciating emotions, and it has a startling impact on our behavior. For example, it’s far more difficult for people to sit in a room doing nothing when they see an unfinished jigsaw puzzle that they’re not permitted to touch. This could explain why being stuck with a bore gets under our skin while we hear all the other lively conversations around us. Instead of having the opportunity to have a deeper social connection with someone, we’re obligated to learn every detail about our new acquaintance on the surface. Alas, we have a bad habit of harshly prejudging people before they’ve even had a chance to pique our interest. Social scientist Wijnand van Tilburg points out that people are considerably more inclined to use unfavorable stereotypes of others when they feel threatened.
Someone may just be concealing their insecurity by evaluating you harshly because of your profession or hobbies. Like beauty, boringness lies in the mind of the beholder.
New research shows that people have a lot of notions about what makes a stereotypical bore. These biases may not be objectively true but can have detrimental repercussions. You may miss out on a potentially nice chat if you go into a meeting with negative expectations, whereas a more open mind may allow a budding friendship to blossom. A 2014 research done at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, has proven that boredom is one of our most excruciating emotions, and it has a startling impact on our behavior. For example, it’s far more difficult for people to sit in a room doing nothing when they see an unfinished jigsaw puzzle that they’re not permitted to touch. This could explain why being stuck with a bore gets under our skin while we hear all the other lively conversations around us. Instead of having the opportunity to have a deeper social connection with someone, we’re obligated to learn every detail about our new acquaintance on the surface. Alas, we have a bad habit of harshly prejudging people before they’ve even had a chance to pique our interest. Social scientist Wijnand van Tilburg points out that people are considerably more inclined to use unfavorable stereotypes of others when they feel threatened.
Someone may just be concealing their insecurity by evaluating you harshly because of your profession or hobbies. Like beauty, boringness lies in the mind of the beholder.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- How do you “snap-judge” people? (by the way they are dressed, they talk, etc.)
- Have you met somebody whom you thought was “boring”? Please tell me more about your experience.
- If you were introduced to someone, would you rather talk about your profession or your hobbies? Why?
- Do you agree that pre-judging people shows signs of insecurity?
- How can we make a “boring” conversation more engaging?
Summarization
Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.
Describe:
Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.
- converse
- budding
- obligate
- pique
- conceal