Taboo conversation topics

Discussion
Work in pairs. Discuss these questions:
When you fill in a form, are you happy t o give this information:
Your age?
Your marital status?
Your income?
Are there any other questions you don't like answering?

Reading
Read through the four conversations below. Who are the people and what is the situation?

Conversation 1
A: Your blood pressure is absolutely fine. Have
you been eating normally?
B: O h yes. The same as normal.
A: And d o you take any regular exercise?
B: Yes, I play squash twice a week.
A: Mm. Tell me, how much do you weigh?
B: About 68 kilos.
Conversation 2
A: Hello, I'm Jean Walker. We've just moved in
next door.
B: Paul Burton. Pleased t o meet you. D o you
work locally?
A: Yes, I'm a solicitor with a firm o n the High
Street.
B: A solicitor. That's a good job. H o w much do
you earn?
Conversation 3
A: Hello. I'm looking for a white tennis shirt.
B: OK. Tennis shirts are over here.
A: As you can see, I'll need a fairly large size. "Good morning. I'd like to talk
B: Yes, I can see that. H o w much do you weigh, to you about the Bible."
if you don't mind me asking?
Conversation 4 Discussion
A: Gareth, you will be delighted t o hear that we
1. In each dialogue there is a personal question.
would like t o offer you the job.
Decide if the question is appropriate to the
B: Great! Thank you very much. situation and the speakers. If it is not
A: We need t o talk a bit about salaries. appropriate, why isn't it?
B: Right, yes, of course.
2. The questions in conversations 2 and 3 do not
A: Remind me, how much d o you earn a t the have answers. How do you think the speaker
moment? should reply in these situations?
B: About L35,000 a year. 3. Have you ever been asked an inappropriate
A: Yes, well, we won't be able t o give you more question? When and who by? How did you
than that initially, but we should be able to respond? Have you ever asked an inappropriate
match it. question by accident? What happened?

4 Taboo conversatioa topics Taboos and Issues

1
Language
Mark the expressions below in the following way:
Q if they are polite ways of asking personal questions
R if they are ways of responding to personal questions
1. I hope you don't mind me asking, but ...
2. I'd rather not answer that (if you don't mind).
3. I know this is a bit nosey, but ...
4. Mind your own business!
5. Why d o you ask?
6. Can I ask you a personal question?
7. That's rather a personal question.
8. I know this is a bit personal, but ...
9. I'm afraid that's really none of your business.

Discussion
Look at the questions below. Decide who has the right to ask you these questions. It may be a particular
person, for example, a doctor, a priest, a police officer, a partnerllover. It might be anybody or it might
be nobody. Write anvone, a articular Rerson or no one next to each question.

H o w old are you? Have you ever taken drugs?

H o w much d o you weigh? Are you planning t o start a family?
H o w tall are you? W h o did you vote for at the last election?
H o w much d o you earn? Have you got a criminal record?
Have you got a boylgirlfriend? Are you gay?
Are you a virgin? H o w much was your CD-player?
Are you married? What religion are you?
Were your parents married? H o w d o you feel about abortion?

Work in pairs. Ask your partner the questions. Use the expressions in the Language work to help you
ask and answer the questions.

Your best friend

Could you say these things to your best friend?

Your breath is terrible. I think you've had enough t o drink.

You smell nice. What is it? You look silly in that shirt.
You need a, haircut. I think you should ring and apologise.
Your boy/girlfriend's got nice legs. If you want t o smoke, d o it outside.
I wish you'd learn how t o make coffee. Your fly is undone. (fly = trouser zip)
Could you say the same things to your teacher or your boss?
Do you have a friend you can say anvthing to?
Are you a tactful person or are you more blunt and direct?
Do you think being direct is a good or a bad thing?

Taboos and I Taboo conversation topics 4

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