Are people drinking less alcohol?
Introduction
When was the last time you had an alcoholic drink? Some people choose to live without drinking any alcohol, but for many others drinking alcohol is a normal part of life. Even so, in recent generations many people have chosen to stop drinking alcohol. Georgie and Neil discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary.
This week's question
Many people in the UK and other countries choose to give up alcohol in the new year for the whole of the month of January, but what is the challenge called?
a) No-drink New Year
b) Alcohol-free January
c) Dry January
Listen to the programme to hear the answer.
Vocabulary
sober
not drinking alcohol or taking recreational drugs
societal pressure
feeling that you should do something because lots of other people expect you to
the norm
the usual or common thing to do
self-optimisation content
videos, posts and other media about being fit, healthy and achieving big goals
tout
praise something or talk about it a lot to get others to try it
pushback
strong criticism of a trend; people doing the opposite of a trend
TRANSCRIPT
Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript.
Georgie
Hi Neil.
Neil
Hi Georgie. Do you want to hear something quite unusual for me?
Georgie
Err, yes!
Neil
I haven't had an alcoholic drink this year.
Georgie
Wow! That is really impressive. How do you feel? Like a new person?
Neil
I do feel very good, I have to say.
Georgie
I can't say the same – I did have a few alcoholic drinks at the weekend with my friends. But in many parts of the world, people don't drink alcohol at all. In the UK it's very common – that is until recently. Today on 6 Minute English, we're going to find out why many people are choosing to give up or cut down on alcohol, and we'll be asking, "Is this the end of British drinking culture?"
Neil
But Millie says that being sober isn't always about being super fit and healthy. For her, it's about being sane.
Georgie
But still, Millie thinks there's a pushback against self-optimisation content. Pushback means a criticism of the content, and people are pushing back by doing the opposite. For example, lots of celebrities post about themselves drinking and smoking.
Neil
Well, Georgie, I've decided to try to give up alcohol for a whole year, but I don't think everybody should do that if they don't want to. It's really up to the individual.
Georgie
Yeah, I still enjoy having a few drinks with my friends. I think it's just all about balance, really. OK. Neil, it's time to reveal the answer to this week's question. I asked, "What was the name given for when people give up alcohol in January?"
Neil
Yes. And the answer is Dry January.
Georgie
That is correct. Well done! Let's recap the vocabulary we learned in this programme, starting with sober, which describes someone who doesn't drink alcohol or take recreational drugs.
Neil
Societal pressure is the feeling that you should do something because lots of other people expect you to.
Georgie
Saying something is the norm is a way to say it's usual or common.
Neil
Self-optimisation content means videos and posts about being fit, healthy and achieving big goals.
Georgie
If somebody touts an idea or lifestyle, they talk about it a lot and try to convince people to do it.
Neil
And pushback is strong criticism of a trend, and people doing the opposite.
Georgie
Once again, our six minutes are up, but don't forget to test what you've learned with the worksheet on our website, bbclearningenglish.com.
Neil
Thank you for joining us and goodbye.
Georgie
Goodbye!