📘 Part 3: Street markets and shopping

This episode's vocabulary

Handmade (adj.) - made using the hands rather than a machine.

Craft (noun) - skill and experience, especially in relation to making objects; a job or activity that needs skill and experience, or something produced using skill and experience.

Readily (adverb) - quickly, immediately, willingly, or without any problem.

Farmhouse (noun) - the main house on a farm where the farmer lives.

To flood (verb) - to fill or enter a place in large numbers or amounts.

Mass-produced (adj.) - produced cheaply and in large numbers using machines in a factory.

Goods (phrase) - things for sale, or the things that you own.

At the touch/push of a button (idiom) - very easily.

Embrace (verb) - to accept something enthusiastically.

Authenticity (noun) - the quality of being real or true.

Status symbol (noun) - a thing that people want to have because they think other people will admire them if they have it.

Conversation piece (noun) - an unusual object that causes people to start talking.

Chain (noun) - a group of shops, restaurants, hotels, or other businesses owned by the same company.

Personalized (adj.) - used to describe an object that has someone's name on it, or that has been made for a particular person.

To fork out something (phrasal verb) - to pay an amount of money, especially unwillingly.

Convenient (adj.) - suitable for your purposes and needs and causing the least difficulty.

En masse (adverb) - all together and at the same time, in large numbers.

Questions and Answers

M: What kinds of markets are there in your country?

R: Well, aside from what's normal in most other countries, I have no idea. I mean, we have farmers' markets where farmers, well, market their goods. And art shows and things like that. But these are all things which are commonly found everywhere. I'm not sure there are unique markets, although the goods at them would be unique to the country.

M: What are the differences between shopping in street markets and in big shopping malls?

R: Oh, there are lots. Like with street markets, you can be sure that you're supporting local businesses and the local economy, though the quality and availability of products might be questionable, which is usually what a shopping mall can give you, usually.

M: What goods are typically sold in street markets?

R: I think it's usually freshly made or handmade in nature. But I haven't seen enough to say for certain, that you can often find food or arts and crafts since these are things which are readily freshly made or made by hand. Like in my own country that might include farmhouse cheeses or toys made of wood.

M: Do you think small markets will disappear in the future?

R: That's a very good question. I mean, there's a temptation to say that they will, as large companies flood the market with mass-produced goods. And these are readily available online at the touch of a button. On the other hand, people are embracing authenticity more and more. So perhaps that will be enough to keep these places alive.

M: Why do some people like to buy luxuries and expensive goods?

R: Because they have more money than sense? No, not really. I think there's a correlation between expense and quality. So the more you pay for something, generally, the better it is. And some people will pay for something more expensive as a status symbol, or as a conversation piece to show off to others. You can't discount that.

M: Some people think that the goods sold at discount stores are of poor quality. But what do you think?

R: Well, I suppose it depends on how you use whatever it is you're buying. I mean, generally, clothes made at fast fashion chains are lower quality. But if you wear it right, then it might not matter whether it's low quality or not.

M: How have people's shopping habits changed in recent years?

R: Well, there's definitely a lot more online shopping going on, isn't there? And aside from that, services becoming more personalized, or at least personalizable for lack of a better term. The goods themselves are also a lot more tailor-made than they used to be if you fork out enough since... I think these digital systems can let you specify what you want, and make it more likely you can get it because the communication channels are more direct.

M: What are the advantages and disadvantages of shopping in a big shopping centre?

R: Well, it certainly seems like everything you need is in one place. So it's quite convenient. And then you see it all in real life, which is important for a lot of people like with clothes, you can try them all. I suppose the downsides might include queuing, a lack of availability and personalization and just the noise of that many people being in one place.

M: What makes large shopping centres popular?

R: I think it's just convenience, really. Like I said everything is there and mostly readily available en masse. The parking might also be more available. Though, that's just another aspect of the convenience, really.

M: Hey! Thank you, Rory, for your answers!