HORIZONS VOLUME 114 SEPTEMBER 01 ~ 05, 2014

HOLIDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS

"A feast is made for laughter.”

—Ecclesiastes 10:19

RELATED VOCABULARY:

celebrate | honor | festival | parade | fireworks | carol accompany | celebration

costumes | veteran | ancestor homesick | fantasy | ritual | procession

VOCABULARY USAGE THROUGH CONVERSATION:

Q1. What is your favorite holiday or festival? How do you celebrate it? What do
you enjoy most? Which special foods are available or served during this
celebration?
Q2. Is gift giving a part of Korean
the Thanksgiving
the Vietnamese
Vietnamese holiday? Are there specific types
TetHoliday?
Tet Holiday?
of gifts to be given?
Q3. Why do you think so many people find the holiday season stressful? How
do you make it a positive experience?
Q4. Do you feel more homesick near holiday time? What do you especially
miss?
Q5. Think of some movies centered on a holiday. What kind of movies do you
like watching during the holidays?
Q6. Would you like to add, or create, a new holiday? How would you like to
celebrate this new holiday?
 HORIZONS VOLUME 114 SEPTEMBER 01 ~ 05, 2014

The pope rides a Kia Soul in Seoul

Pope Francis’ choice of wheels during his South Korean visit has surprised many in this
country, where big shots rarely hit the streets in anything but expensive luxury cars. The
pope left the airport in a compact black Kia Soul that many South Koreans would consider
too humble a car for a globally powerful figure. Francis’ humbleness has been noticed in
South Korea, a very competitive country that celebrates displays of status and wealth. This
national trait can be seen in industries such as private tutoring and plastic surgery. For the
“The People’s Pope” the choice makes sense. He has refused the bulletproof “popemobiles”
that his predecessors used and urged priests around the world to travel in simple cars. The
pope requested the smallest South Korean car during his visit. While the Soul’s design
appeals to young and practical drivers, it has never been a car of the rich and powerful.
(Source: Global News)

1. Comment on this passage from the article: “Pope Francis’ choice of wheels during his
South Korean visit has surprised many in this country, where big shots rarely hit the
streets in anything but expensive luxury cars.”
2. Do you think that the Pope is sending a message to Koreans by choosing a simple
official car? What kind of official car is given to a visitor as important as the Pope?
3. Comment on the Pope’s recent visit to Korea. Did you see him? What did his visit
accomplish?
4. What do you think about the Kia Soul? Who usually buys it? Do you know anyone who
owns one? Do you think that more people would want to buy the Kia Soul now?
5. Explain, how you understand the following sentences with SOUL idioms:
a. Mary bared her soul to Jane and Jane told Mary her problems too.
b. If the day comes when
I begin to sell my soul
like the managers do,
that’s the day I’ll quit.
 HORIZONS VOLUME 114 SEPTEMBER 01 ~ 05, 2014

Who, Whom, Whoever, Whomever

Who vs. Whom
Rule. Use this he/him method to decide whether who or whom is correct:

he = who
him = whom
Examples:
(Who/Whom) wrote the letter?
He wrote the letter. Therefore, who is correct.

(Who/Whom) should I vote for?

Should I vote for him? Therefore, whom is correct.

We all know (who/whom) pulled that prank.

This sentence contains two clauses: we all know and (who/whom) pulled that prank. We are interested in the second
clause because it contains the (who/whom). He pulled that prank. Therefore, who is correct.

We wondered (who/whom) the book was about.

This sentence contains two clauses: we wondered and (who/whom) the book was about. Again, we are interested in the
second clause because it contains the (who/whom). The book was about him. Therefore, whom is correct.

Note: This rule is compromised by an odd infatuation people have with whom—and not for good reasons. At its worst, the
use of whom becomes a form of one-upmanship some employ to appear sophisticated. The following is an example of
the pseudo-sophisticated whom.

Incorrect: a woman whom I think is a genius. In this case whom is not the object of I think. Put I think at the end and
witness the folly: a woman whom is a genius, I think.

Correct: a woman who I think is a genius. Learn to spot and avoid this too-common pitfall.

Whoever vs. Whomever

To determine whether to use whoever or whomever, the he/him rule in the previous section applies:

he = whoever
him = whomever

Rule 1. The presence of whoever or whomever indicates a dependent clause. Use whoever or whomever to agree with
the verb in that dependent clause, regardless of the rest of the sentence.

Examples:
Give it to (whoever/whomever) asks for it first.
He asks for it first. Therefore, whoever is correct.

We will hire (whoever/whomever) you recommend.

You recommend him. Therefore, whomever is correct.

We will hire (whoever/whomever) is most qualified.

He is most qualified. Therefore, whoever is correct.

Rule 2. When the entire whoever/whomever clause is the subject of the verb that follows the clause, look inside the
clause to determine whether to use whoever or whomever.

Examples:
Whoever is elected will serve a four-year term.
Whoever is the subject of is elected. The clause whoever is elected is the subject of will serve.

Whomever you elect will serve a four-year term.

Whomever is the object of elect. Whomever you elect is the subject of will serve.

A word to the wise: Whomever is even more of a vogue word than whom. Many use it indiscriminately to sound cultured,
figuring that no one will know any better.
 HORIZONS VOLUME 114 SEPTEMBER 01 ~ 05, 2014

QUICK QUIZ: Choose the correct answer.

Q1. A) Whom is your closest friend?

B) Who is your closest friend?

Q2. A) Who do you bank with?

B) Whom do you bank with?

Q3. A) Who do you think will win the award?

B) Whom do you think will win the award?

Q4. A) Clare knows whom the winner is already.

B) Clare knows who the winner is already.

Q5. A) Omar will talk about his girlfriend with whoever asks him.
B) Omar will talk about his girlfriend with whomever asks him.

Q6. A) Kimiko donates her time to whoever needs it most.

B) Kimiko donates her time to whomever needs it most.

Q7. A) Quinton will work on the project with whomever you suggest.
B) Quinton will work on the project with whoever you suggest.

Q8. A) Whom was that in the clown costume?

B) Who was that in the clown costume?

Q9. A) Kathy was not sure who she was voting for.
B) Kathy was not sure whom she was voting for.

Q10. A) Whoever wins the lottery will become a millionaire.

B) Whomever wins the lottery will become a millionaire.
 HORIZONS VOLUME 114 SEPTEMBER 01 ~ 05, 2014

COMPLAINING AT A RESTAURANT
At Carmen’s Bistro, all is not going well. John complains to Kevin, the waiter, about his overdone
steak. Tanya complains that her fish is too rare and that the music is too loud.

Kevin: How are we doing?*

John: Not very well. I ordered my steak medium rare, and it’s burnt to a crisp!
Kevin: I’m sorry about that. I can ask our chef to prepare another one.
John: Okay, please do that.
Kevin: You bet. And how’s your fish, ma’am?
Tanya: It’s very rare.
Kevin: Would you like me to have the chef put it back in the oven?
Tanya: No, I’ve lost my appetite for fish.
Kevin: I’d be happy to bring you something else.
Tanya: Okay, let me try the stuffed chicken breast.

(Ten minutes after the waiter has brought the new meals.)

Kevin: How are we doing over here?

Tanya: I was wondering if you could turn down the music. Loud music in restaurants is a pet peeveof
mine.
Kevin: Sure, I’ll take care of that. Can I get you another round of drinks?
John: No, we’re all set for now.

(The waiter returns after 15 minutes.)

Kevin: Are you still working on your meals?

Tanya: I’ll need a doggy bag.
John: Would you mind wrapping this up, too?
Kevin: I’ll bring you some containers, and you can box upyour leftovers. Can I interest you in dessert?
Tanya: I’m stuffed.
John: Could you please bring the check?

* Sometimes waiters will ask, “How are we doing?” instead of “How are you doing?” This sounds very friendly and informal.

IDIOMS & EXPRESSIONS:

all set – not needing anything else
Example: When the waitress asked if we needed anything else, we told her we were all set.

(to) box up – to put leftover food from a restaurant in a container

Example: It looks like you’ve got a half a hamburger left. Would you like to box that up?
Note: In the USA, the trend is for restaurants to give customers a white container (box) and have them put their own leftovers in
it.

burnt to a crisp – completely burnt; very overcooked Example: Joe put the hamburgers on the grill and then forgot
about them for an hour — no wonder they’re burnt to a crisp!

Can I interest you in dessert? – Would you like to order dessert?

Example: When the waitress asked, “Can I interest you in dessert?” I replied, “Yes, we’ll take a look at the dessert
menu.”

doggy bag – a bag or container to take home food that a customer could not finish at a restaurant
Example: This salad was huge. I’m going to need a doggy bag.

leftovers– food that is not eaten at a meal; extra food that is eaten later
Example: After our big Thanksgiving dinner, we had leftovers for three days. We were all sick of eating turkey by
then!

(to) lose one’s appetite – to not want to eat any more due to a bad experience
Example: After finding a hair in her soup, Andrea lost her appetite.
 HORIZONS VOLUME 114 SEPTEMBER 01 ~ 05, 2014

medium rare – cooked just past the raw stage

Example: This steak is overcooked. I ordered it medium rare, but it’s brown in the middle.

pet peeve – an annoyance; a particular thing that bothers someone more than the average person
Example: Paul hates it when people talk on their cell phones while driving. That’s his pet peeve.

round of drinks – drinks for a whole group

Example: Ed offered to buy all of his friends at the bar a round of drinks.

stuffed– to be completely full

Example: After eating five pieces of fried chicken each, we were all too stuffed to eat any dessert.

(to) turn down the music – to lower the volume of the music
Example: I can’t hear you. Can you please turn down the music?

(to) work on – to eat; to finish eating

Example: When the waitress asked me if I was finished with my lobster, I said, “No, I’m still working on it.”

(to) wrap up – to put in a container or box (to take home)

Example: Sue didn’t finish her meal so she asked the waiter to wrap it up.

You bet – yes; no problem

Example: “If this DVD doesn’t work in my DVD player, can I return it?” — “You bet.”

Practice the Expressions: You did well on the exercise in Lesson 113, and you still have your
job as a waiter/ waitress at Anita’s Restaurant. Choose the appropriate replies to your
customers:

Q1. Customer: “The music is so loud, we can’t hear each other speak.”
Your reply:
a) “Let me turn up the music.”
b) “Let me turn down the music.”
c) “You’ll need to speak louder.”

Q2. Customer: “Can we get another round of drinks over here?”

Your reply:
a) “Sure. I’ll bring the check right away.”
b) “Sure. What would you like?”
c) “Sure, but first you should finish what’s in your glasses.”

Q3. Customer: “This fork is dirty. Dirty silverware is a pet peeve of mine.”
Your reply:
a) “Right. I don’t like pets in restaurants either.”
b) “Sorry about that. Let me bring you a clean fork.”
c) “I don’t mind dirty silverware either.”

Q4. Customer: “There’s a hair in my soup. I just lost my appetite!”

Your reply:
a) “Sorry. Let me get you a fresh bowl of soup.”
b) “Sorry. I forgot to mention we serve all our soups with hair.”
c) “Sorry. Let me just reach in and remove it for you.”

Q5. Customer: “I ordered my steak rare, but this is burnt to a crisp!”

Your reply:
a) “I’m sorry. Let me tell the chef to put it back in the oven.”
b) “I’m sorry you don’t like burnt meat.”
c) “I’m sorry. Let me have the chef prepare another one for you.”
 HORIZONS VOLUME 114 SEPTEMBER 01 ~ 05, 2014

Q6. Customer: “The pasta was good, but now I’m stuffed!”
Your reply:
a) “I’ll let you relax for a while before bringing the dessert menu.”
b) “Okay, then let me bring the dessert menu right away.”
c) “I’m sorry you didn’t get enough to eat.”

Q7. Customer: “This steak was delicious, but I couldn’t finish it.”
Your reply:
a) “Should I throw it in the trash for you?”
b) “Should I put it on a new plate and serve it to somebody else?”
c) “Should I wrap it up for you?”

Q8. Customer: “I’ll need a doggy bag.”

Your reply:
a) “We don’t allow dogs here.”
b) “I’m not surprised. The portions are big here.”
c) “I’m glad you were able to finish everything.”

Q9. Customer: “I’ m still working on my dessert.”

Your reply:
a) “Okay, let me take your plate away.”
b) “Okay, I’ll be back in a few minutes to check on you.”
c) “Okay, I’ll bring the check right away.”

Q10. Customer: “We’re all set here.”

Your reply:
a) “Okay, I’ll bring more drinks.”
b) “I’ll let the chef know.”
c) “Okay, I’ll bring the check.” Secret
HORIZONS VOLUME 114 SEPTEMBER 01 ~ 05, 2014