Town or Country: What’s Your View?

Town or Country: What’s Your View?

Angela: The suburbs aren't bad, but I think I'd rather live in the country.

Everything is slower and quieter and more peaceful.

Ben: Yes, that's what I don't like about the country. Nothing ever happens there. I'd be bored to death.

Chris: I'm not sure I agree with you. I think there are plenty of things to do...

Ben: Such as?

Chris: Well, you can go for walks...

Sue: Yeah, and get all wet and muddy. No thank you. Anyway, there aren't any shops to look at.

Angela: There are other things apart from shops to look at. There are trees and flowers and birds and animals...

Ben: O.K., so it's pretty. But I still reckon it's much less exciting than the town.

Angela: If you call it exciting to be almost run-over by a car every time you go out...

Ben: No, come off it! I mean there are fewer cinemas and shops, and no theatres and nowhere to go,

Chris: But how often do you actually go out?

Ben: Well. I go to the cinema twice a week, and I often go out a couple of other nights too.

Angela: There are cinemas in the country, you know.

Sue: And all the films they show are fifty years out-of--date.

Chris: Now you're exaggerating, though I agree that some films are rather old, but...

Sue: And  the clothes are old-fashioned too. And there isn't a decent transport system.

Angela: Yes, you do need a bike in the country, but there are problems with the town.

Sue: Like what?

Angela: Well, you must admit it is noisier and dirtier than the country. It's busier and no one has time for anyone else.

Sue: Rubbish!

Chris: No, she's got a point there. In villages people really are friendlier. For example, in towns we look after our old people very badly. Often, nobody bothers to lock after them at all, and they die and nobody knows for weeks. That doesn't happen in the country.

Angela: Because everyone knows everyone else.

Ben: That's because there are fewer people. You go on meeting the same people day after day. In the country there's no change, no variety.

Chris: That's true. But I'd still like to live in the country because of the fresh air; it's less polluted. I'd like to grow my own vegetables, and keep a few chickens...

Ben: You are an idealist! What would you live on? There are fewer jobs in the country, and you don't have much choice.

Chris: You could always work in a nearby town and live in the country.

Angela: But if you commute every day, you're not really living in the country.

Sue: No, and I don't want to. I'd like to live in the centre of town instead of the suburbs. I like all the shops and cinemas, all the noise and excitement. I want to know what the latest record is, latest film and the most fashion-able clothes. I want to have my friends all around me. and have a good time. I like meeting new people all the time. And I hate animals, and fresh air and exercise.

Ben: Well, that's pretty definite. I like some of the things Chris likes, and some of the things Sue likes. So, I'm going to stay in the suburbs and get the best of both worlds.

From ‘Club’

Karen: What are your views on living in the country, a… as opposed to living in the city?

Melinda: Well, I’d say that for most people it’s just not practical. I think it’d be awful to be living in the middle of nowhere. Do you see what I mean?

Karen: No, I’m sorry. Could you explain why?

Melinda: Well, you’d be cut off from all the amenities of urban life: supermarkets and cinemas, shops, theatres, things like that. Part of your life would be missing, don’t you agree?

Blain: Um … that’s one way of looking at it, I suppose.  (=not really)