Showrooming and shopping

Are these shoppers 'showrooming'?

Have you ever visited a shop to see and test a product but then gone and bought it cheaper online?

If so, you have been 'showrooming' - a new word to describe this activity.

In 6 Minute English, Rob and Finn talk about why people do this and how it is affecting the shops in our town centres. They'll also be explaining some of the vocabulary related to shopping.

This week's question:

Which of these countries has the most online shoppers? Is it:

a) The United Kingdom  b) The USA  c) Korea

Vocabulary:

break the bank - cost too much

on plastic - on a credit card

showrooming - an activity where customers visit shops to see and test products before going online to buy them

the high street - a typical street in the centre of a town or village, where everyday shops and businesses are located

a knock-down price - an extremely cheap price

retailer - person or shop selling things to the public

reassurance - (here) getting comfort and confidence from seeing something yourself

a bargain - a price that is lower than usual

shop around - go to several shops before deciding what to buy

product reviews - opinions and comments about what a product is like

browsing - looking at things in one or more shops without intending to buy anything

incentives - things that make people want to do something, because they know they will get a benefit

aftercare - support or advice offered to a customer after buying something

Listen here

Rob: Hello and welcome to 6 Minute English with me, Rob.

Finn: And me, Finn.

Rob: Hello Finn. Well, Happy New Year to you. Here we are in 2014, the festive season is over – so Finn, did all that Christmas shopping break the bank?

Finn: You mean, did I spend too much money? Well, yes I did, but I put most of it on plastic – my credit card – so I’ll pay for it next month.

Rob: Well, clearly you didn’t have enough money to buy me a present! Anyway, today we are talking about shopping and a relatively new style of  shopping called showrooming.

Finn: Yes, showrooming – this is where customers visit shops to see and test products before going online to buy them.

Rob: We’ll be discussing that soon and looking at vocabulary to do with shopping. But before we do, Finn, you’re a man who likes to shop - but do you know which country has the most people who shop online? Is it:

a) The United Kingdom  b) The USA  c) Korea

Finn: Well, I know the internet is very big in Korea but I think the USA has more online shoppers.

Rob: OK, well, I’ll let you know the answer at the end of programme. So today we’re talking about how technology is changing the way we shop and how it could spell disaster – or be very bad for – the high street.

Finn: The high street – this is a term we use in Britain to mean the collection of everyday shops that we normally see in our town centres. Things like shoe shops, newsagents, supermarkets.

Rob: We know that the high street is competing with the internet. I buy things like CDs, electrical goods and food online, from the comfort of my home.

Finn: Ah but have you ever ‘showroomed’ before, Rob? That means going to a shop, having a look at something and then going home to buy it online.

Rob: Yes, I bought a camera at a knock-down price online, although it was from the same retailer as the shop that I saw it in. I know I’m not alone in doing this though. Research by a company called Foolproof, found 24%of people ‘showroomed’ while Christmas shopping last year.

Finn: And a market research company called TNS found one third of consumers around the world said they used this tactic – or this type of shopping.

Rob: Now, although people do it to try and save money, there are other reasons for this too, as we can hear from the Head of Technology at TNS UK, Amy Cashman. See if you can hear what the three reasons are:

Head of Technology, TNS UK, Amy Cashman:

There’s basically three main points that this kind of behaviour can overcome. People are short on time, short on money and they want reassurance about the products they are buying. So they use the internet in store and online on their mobile which we found is particularly prevalent, to do things like try and get to the bottom of where they can find a cheaper price elsewhere but also get information, product reviews and also do things like look at store layouts and see where products are so they can go and find them faster.

Finn: So she says there are three main reasons for people to showroom: They are short on time, short on money, and they want reassurance.

Rob: Yes, reassurance – so they want to know what the product really looks like and they want to be confident they are buying the right thing.

Finn: I think that’s true, I like to inspect what I am buying. If you go to a shop and look at the real thing, you get a much better idea of what it’s like than from a photo on the internet or in a catalogue – but I also want a bargain– in other words, the best price.

Rob: That’s why Amy Cashman said customers sometimes use the internet in store – so in the shop – to ‘get to the bottom of’ where they can get it cheaper. We could say they use the internet to shop around.

Finn: That's a good phrase, meaning to look around for the best deal. Using a smartphone is an increasingly popular way to do this.

Rob: Smartphones are also useful for getting product reviews – these are the kind of opinions or comments about the product.

Finn: Yes, and you can also use smartphones to scan the barcodes on the product and compare prices that way.

Rob: So it seems browsing – that’s looking at things to buy – but not actually purchasing something in store – is set to increase. Does this mean the death of the high street, Finn?

Finn: I think it will have to adapt or make changes. It could try to compete on price more or offer more incentives when you are in the shop.

Rob: Incentives – these are things to encourage you to buy the product there and then. Perhaps a discount voucher or a free gift?

Finn: And we mustn’t forget that buying in a shop means you can get expert advice from the sales assistant and you can get good aftercare.

Rob: Well, I didn’t need expert advice buying my Christmas presents this year.

Finn: Oh, why was that?

Rob: Well, I bought gift vouchers for everyone! Now Finn, it’s time to see if you belong to the nation with the biggest online shoppers. Earlier I asked you if you knew which country has the most people who shop online - is it:

a) The United Kingdom

b) The USA

c) Korea

Finn: I said b) The USA.

Rob: A good guess but you were wrong. The answer is the UK. I don’t know if it means we're the laziest people or just the best bargain hunters! Well, that’s it for this programme. Please join us again for 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English.

Both: Bye.

Is there more of the world to explore?

The essential tool for an explorer

There are many famous explorers - people who have travelled to and discovered new parts of the world. Nowadays, it seems that every corner of our planet has been explored. Technology and modern transport means we can get to the most remote parts.

So does this mean there is nowhere left to explore? Rob and Finn discuss this question - and discover some exploration-related vocabulary.

This week's question:

In 2011, explorer Ed Stafford became the first person to do what? Was it:

a) go all the way round the world in a canoe

b) ski down Mount Everest

c) walk the length of the Amazon River

exploration - a journey to a place to discover something new about it

explorers - people who go on a journey of exploration

seeking out - finding something by looking for it in a determined way

circumnavigate - to travel all the way around something (particularly the world)

natural resources - valuable things that occur naturally, such as wood or oil, that can be made into things we can use

inquisitive - keen to learn and ask questions

uncharted territory - an area of land not shown in detail on a map

tribes - (here) large groups of related families who live in the same area and share the same language, customs and beliefs

culture - a set of ideas, beliefs and behaviour held by a particular group of people

venturing - going on a journey that may be dangerous (odvážné cestování)

wanderlust - a strong desire to travel (touha cestovat)

Listen here

Rob: Hello, I’m Rob. Welcome to 6 Minute English. I’m joined today by Finn. HelloFinn.

Finn: Hello Rob.

Rob: In this programme we’re talking about exploration – that's a journey to a place to learn something new about it. It's a sort of educational trip.

Finn: Yes, you may have heard about famous explorers – the people who made these journeys and learned new and amazing things – like Captain Cook or Christopher Columbus.

Rob: Yes, Columbus was the Italian explorer who explored the Americas over 500 years ago. There are many other people who travelled around the world seeking out – or looking for – new land, people, plants and animals. But now in the 21st century, do you think there’s any more of the world left to discover?

Finn: Ah, well, that's a question we'll be 'exploring' today and we'll also discover some exploration-related vocabulary. But first Rob, I'm sure you have a question for me?

Rob: Of course, yes. My question is about a modern-day explorer from the UK.

He's called Ed Stafford. In 2011 he became the first person to do what? Was it…

a) circumnavigate – or go all the way round – the world in a canoe

b) ski down Mount Everest

c) walk the length of the Amazon River

Finn: I'm going to say a) the first person to go round the world in a canoe.

Rob: OK, well, we’ll find out if you are right or wrong later on. So let’s talk more about exploration. There are many reasons why people have wanted to explore.

Finn: Yes. Sometimes it was to find new natural resources – things like oil, rubber or gold. Sometimes people wanted to find new land to occupy and build on; and sometimes people have just been inquisitive – or interested –in finding out what somewhere is like. That sounds a bit like you Rob?

Rob: Well, I do enjoy travel and adventure – and although I've explored places that are new to me – I haven't yet found an undiscovered river or island.

Finn: Well, I hope you do. With satellite technology and modern transport, maybe every corner of planet Earth has already been discovered and there’s nothing left to find, I wonder?

Rob: Well, that's not something that the travel journalist, Christina Lamb, would agree with. She's seen a lot of the world but says there's still more to be discovered. Let's hear from her now. What phrase does she use to describe somewhere that hasn't been found yet?

Christina Lamb, travel journalist

There still are a few places in the world that are unexplored. I've travelled quite a lot in the Amazon and there, there really are still places where maps don't have anything on them and it says uncharted territory, which I think is the most exciting thing you can see on a map.

Rob: So there are still a few places to explore – places that are not on a map! Christina Lamb called them 'uncharted territory'.

Finn: 'Uncharted' means a place that is completely new – and 'territory' is another word for an area of land. So, uncharted territory – imagine discovering somewhere like that!

Rob: It would be amazing – but sometimes people are already living in these places – these are the tribes – or groups of people – who have never had contact with the outside world.

Finn: Well, even if every tribe, every lost city, every piece of land had already been discovered, a travel writer called Colin Thurbron claims we can still re-explore and discover new things. So, what things keep changing which mean we should never stop exploring?

Colin Thurbron, author

What there's always a role for, is for reinterpreting a culture – going back there for every generation. Not just because the culture has changed but the judgements and priorities of every generation of traveller has changed too.

Rob: OK, so he talks about culture – that's the way of life for a particular group of people. Cultures change, but also our views change too: he says our judgements and priorities change – that means we keep seeing things differently.

Finn: So you mean we see things in a new way every time we go back and look at them. In that case, maybe we will never stop exploring our planet.

Rob: Yes, there's always something new to discover in the world and even beyond it – people are already venturing into space, the universe – where next?

Finn: Yes, absolutely. But I think I still need to explore my own city first – there's a lot more to discover in London before I head off to Mars!

Rob: Maybe you just haven't got any wanderlust – that's the desire to travel –unlike explorer Ed Stafford. Earlier I asked you what he became the first person to do in 2011?

Finn: I said a) go round the world in a canoe. I guess I'm wrong.

Rob: You're wrong. Nice try! He was actually the first person to walk the length of the Amazon River. Your challenge now Finn is to remind us of some of the vocabulary that we've explored today.

Finn: In a canoe? Of course. Well, we had…

exploration

explorers

seeking out

circumnavigate

natural resources

inquisitive

uncharted territory

tribes

culture

venturing

wanderlust

Rob: Well, that brings us to the end of today's 6 Minute English. We hope you’ve enjoyed today’s programme. Please join us again soon.

Both: Bye.

Scottish independence

This flag will change if Scotland votes for independence

We often hear about regions or nations that want to break away from the country that rules them.

In the United Kingdom, people from Scotland are to vote on whether they want to become independent.

Rob and Neil discuss why people fight for independence and why, in some cases, they want to merge with other regions and become one united country.

Vocabulary:

independence - (here) freedom from political control by another country

declaration - an official statement saying something is going to happen

campaigning - trying to persuade other people or the government to change something

referendum - a time when everyone in a country can vote on a particular issue

in favour of - supporting an idea

debate - a serious discussion of a subject in which many people take part

divergent views - different opinions

robust - (here) firm and determined

passionate - showing strong beliefs, enthusiasm or emotion

smears - lies that damage someone's reputation

rivalry - competing with each other

commemorated - remembered (a person or event)

self-rule -when people from a country or region choose their own government

Listenhere

Rob: Welcome to 6 Minute English with me Rob…

Neil: …and me Neil.

Rob: Today we're talking about national independence - that's when one nation is free from control by another country. Neil, can you think of any countries that have become independent?

Neil: Well, Scotland is talking a lot about this at the moment.

Rob: Yes, it is. It's a big political issue which we'll talk more about soon. And of course we'll be looking at some words related to independence. But let's start with a question. How well do you know your history? The Declaration of Independence was made by thirteen American colonies that were fighting for freedom from the British Empire. But do you know what year that declaration – or announcement – was made? Was it:

a) 1776    b) 1786   c) 1796

Neil: I am pretty sure it's a) 1776.

Rob: You sound quite confident, don't you, but I'll let you know the answer later on. Let's talk more about independence. We often hear about groups of people campaigning or fighting for independence from the country that rules them.

Neil: Yes, like the Basque people in Spain, or the Kurds in Iraq. This is when a certain group of people want their own homeland to preserve – that's keep alive – their culture or beliefs.

Rob: And sometimes, a whole nation wants to break away from the country that rules it because it feels it would be better for its people. That's what's happening in Scotland right now, isn't it Neil?

Neil: Well, not quite. Not everyone in Scotland wants to break away from the United Kingdom. This is a plan suggested by the ruling political party in Scotland – the Scottish National Party. But they are asking people to vote on the decision.

Rob: And this vote on a single issue – or referendum – is happening in September. Politicians who want Scotland to be separate from the UK are trying to persuade the public to vote in favour of independence. Other politicians are trying to persuade people to vote 'no'.

Neil: Independence would mean Scotland would be able to control things like its tax system, its immigration policy and people would have a Scottish passport.

Rob: Well, let's hear from Alex Salmond, the Leader of the Scottish National Party, talking when he first announced there would be a referendum. What words did he use to describe how he wanted the debate – or discussion – on independence to be?

Alex Salmond, Leader of the Scottish National Party

Divergent views are the very essence of democracy; robust debate is part of what makes us Scottish. The exchanges, the criticism and the debate must be passionate –how else could it be in Scotland? But let these contributions be based on fact, reason, logic, rather than smears, or allegations or misinformation.

Neil: Alex Salmond said divergent views are the very essence of democracy –so all different views are important and that is what makes a democracy. And he encouraged debate about independence.

Rob: Yes and he said the debate should be robust – so strong, firm and determined…

Neil: …and it should be passionate – expressing powerful emotions.

Rob: But most importantly, the debate should be based on real information –facts – not misinformation or what he calls smears – in other words, lies.

Neil: Well, Scottish people will go to the ballot box in a few months' time to vote. And if they vote 'yes' for independence, we, Rob, might have to show our passports if we cross the border from England into Scotland.

Rob: Imagine that! And the Scottish people might lose the BBC – the British Broadcasting Corporation – and get their own smaller Scottish Broadcasting Corporation.

Neil: Of course, there's always been a – let's say – friendly rivalry between the two countries. And we are used to our nations competing independently in football and rugby tournaments.

Rob: Of course, being an Englishman I know who's best! But seriously, the idea of an independent Scotland isn't that strange. The Act of Union, which brought Scotland together with England and Wales, only came into being in 1707. Before that, Scotland was independent.

Neil: And only last century, Ireland fought for its independence from Britain.

Rob: And in 1947, India succeeded in becoming independent from British rule, a day that's now commemorated – or remembered – as a national holiday.

Neil: But, while some countries aim to have self-rule – another word for independent rule – others want to share things which are usually unique to a country. For example, the member states of the European Union work together in trade and some share the same currency – the Euro.

Well, this brings us back to your question Rob, when some American states declared independence from British rule.

Rob: Yes, that was the Declaration of Independence – but what year was it?

Neil: I said a) 1776.

Rob: And of course, you were right. It was 1776. This was the beginning of a new nation that became the USA – and Independence Day is now celebrated every year on the 4th of July. I wonder if Scotland will be celebrating its own independence day in just a few years' time? OK Neil, please could you remind us of some of the independence-related words that we've heard today.

Neil: OK, here we go:

…

Rob: Thanks Neil. We hope you've enjoyed today's 6 Minute English. Please join us again soon for another programme.

Neil: Goodbye.

Rob: Bye.

When does adulthood start?

When do we really grow up?

At what age do we become adults? Many people assume it’s 18. It's an age when many leave home for university and also when we can vote in elections the UK.

But new guidance for psychologists in the UK says that adolescence - the time when we change from being a child to an adult - now lasts until the age of 25. Does this mean we are growing up later, or are there other factors?

Vocabulary:

adulthood - the period of life when you are an adult

stand on your own two feet - be independent; look after yourself

maturity - behaving and thinking like a grown up

adolescence - period in your life when you change from being a child to an adult

psychologist - person who studies the human mind, their emotions and behaviour

hormones - chemicals in the body that influence the development, growth and sex of an animal

formative years - period of time when someone develops their character and beliefs

social death - embarrassing situation

mollycoddling - over protecting or doing too much for someone

juvenile - young person but not yet considered an adult

 Listen here

Neil: Hello I'm Neil. Welcome to 6 Minute English. I'm joined today by Finn. Hello Finn.

Finn: Hello Neil.

Neil: Now, I have a question for you: what age did you leave home?

Finn: I left home at 18, Neil.

Neil: That's quite young, isn't it? Why did you leave home?

Finn: Well, I really wanted to see more of the world.

Neil: We could say that was the end of your childhood and the beginning of your adulthood. It's a time when you begin to stand on your own two feet.

Finn: You mean it's when I started to be independent, to look after myself and act like a grown-up – well, maybe, a bit like a grown-up!

Neil: Yes, it's when you're supposed to think and act like a man! Well, according to some experts, the age when adulthood begins could be increasing. I'll tell you more about that soon and we'll look at some vocabulary to do with growing up. But before that, I have another question for you Finn. In

England, people can get married without asking their parent – or without consent, at the age of 18. Do you know what the youngest age is men can legally marry in Bangladesh? Is it:

a) 15

b) 18

c) 21

Finn: I honestly have no idea. So I'll say b) 18.

Neil: OK. I'll let you know the answer at the end of programme. Back to our discussion about the age we really become an adult. Leaving home or getting married could be some of the signs of maturity and becoming a grown-up.

Finn: There are many other signs too but, certainly in the UK, people regard 18 as the age when we reach the end of adolescence – a point where you've changed from being a child to being an adult. You should, in theory, think and behave like one.

Neil: Well, that is the theory. We know that people develop at different speeds and some never grow up. I'm sure we know people like that! I'm sure we know people like that! 

Finn: One or two! But child psychologists – the people who study how children behave – now think adolescence could last until the age of 25.

Neil: Twenty-five is when they stop being an adolescent. Medical and educational professionals now have a better understanding of how our hormones – the chemicals in our body – develop and how our brain works.

Finn: Yes. They say that we keep developing into our twenties.

Neil: A child psychologist called Laverne Antrobus, who works at the Tavistock Clinic in London, appeared in a BBC magazine article recently and said: "The idea that suddenly at 18 you're an adult just doesn't quite ring true... my experience of young people is that they still need quite a considerable amount of support and help beyond that age."

Finn: So she says the idea that we become an adult at 18 doesn't ring true – that means, it doesn't sound true. Young people need help and support until they're older.

Neil: She also suggests that some young people continue to live at home because they need more support during these 'formative years' – the time when you are growing up. Well, that might be true for some but I was ready to leave home at 18 – I was bored at home and ready for my freedom!

Finn: I know the feeling. Well, in the same BBC article, Frank Furedi, Professor of Sociology at the University of Kent, thinks what you did is a good thing. He says: "There is a loss of aspiration for independence and striking out on your own. When I went to university it would have been a social death to have been seen with your parents, whereas now it's the norm."

Neil: So he thinks living at home makes you lose the aspiration – or the desire to be independent, and he says in his day it would have been social death – so embarrassing - to be seen by others to live at home!

Finn: Yes, and I think he's saying living at home stops you growing up quickly.

Neil: Does this mean we are developing a generation of big babies?

Finn: Maybe not Neil but this is an interesting subject. Could it be we are mollycoddling young people for longer – that means protecting them and looking after them?

Neil: Yes, or it could be that young people are living at home for longer for economic reasons – they can't afford to leave home.

Finn: Or maybe there is some truth in the idea it takes longer for us to grow up? I think I'll go with that theory.

Neil: That would explain your juvenile behaviour Finn! Now, let's find out if you got today's question right. Earlier I asked you if you knew what the youngest age a man can legally marry in Bangladesh is?

Finn: I said 18, I think Neil.

Neil: You were wrong. It was option c) 21. Apparently, it's 21 for men, and 18 for women. Now Finn, could you remind us of some of the growing up related words that we heard today.

Finn: Yes, we heard:

Neil: Thank you. We hope you've enjoyed today's programme. Do join us again soon for 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. Goodbye. Finn: Goodbye.