Read the dialogue and answer the questions: FACING THE REAL WORLD – Have you already begun developing your plans for the future? – It is very difficult to give a definite answer right now. But every time I am asked the question “What do you want to be?” I feel nervous. I usually never tell the truth and say “I haven’t the slightest idea” and try to sound mysteriously. – But why? – That makes other people feel more nervous than me. – Have you ever turned to your parents for advice? – Oh. My mother is convinced that I should follow in the footsteps of my father and become a lawyer. My granny thinks that I should find a nice wealthy man to marry. And my father says “Just do what makes you happy”. My uncle encourages me by promising a job in his company. Being a child I wanted to be like a cashier in the supermarket with long hair, blue eye shadows and long fingernails moving the cash. But my mother would say “You are not suitable for the job like that. You are too smart”. It is very difficult to face the real world after being spoonfed with knowledge at school. And the question “What do you want to be?” never used to be threatening like now. What if I choose the wrong thing and feel regret a mistake in future? Of course like everyone I have some skills and interests and inclinations. But they seem to be undeveloped and may seem outstanding. I realize that I should plan out the rest of my life and explore my choice from every angle, but I have never thought more than six months ahead. There is one thing I know I wouldn’t like to be “a square in a round hole”. Questions for discussion: 1. What problems are involved in this interview? 2. Why is the girl afraid to enter the real world after being spoonfed with knowledge at school? 3. What does the real world mean for her? And for you? 4. Why does her mother say that she is too smart to be a cashier? 5. Does it mean that a man doing a less prestigious work is a loser? 6. The girl doesn’t want to be a square peg in a round hole. Do you know someone who is a square peg in a round hole? 7. What would you do if you were in the same situation? Give your piece of advice.

1. What problems are involved in this interview?

The main problem in the interview is the difficulty of choosing a future profession. The girl does not know what she really wants to become and feels nervous when people ask her about her plans. She has many opinions from her family members, but they are different from each other. Her mother wants her to become a lawyer, her father says she should do what makes her happy, and her uncle offers her a job. The girl is afraid of making the wrong choice and regretting it in the future.

2. Why is the girl afraid to enter the real world after being spoonfed with knowledge at school?

She is afraid because school gave her knowledge, but it did not prepare her completely for making serious life decisions. At school she had clear tasks and answers, but in real life she has to choose her own path and take responsibility for her decisions. She worries that her skills and interests are not developed enough and that she may choose the wrong profession.

3. What does the real world mean for her? And for you?

For the girl, the real world means adult life with difficult choices, responsibility and uncertainty. It means having to decide what she wants to do, earn money and build her own future.

For me, the real world means the stage of life when a person becomes independent and has to make important decisions without always relying on parents or teachers. It means understanding that mistakes are possible, but they help people learn and grow.

4. Why does her mother say that she is too smart to be a cashier?

Her mother probably thinks that being a cashier does not match her daughter's abilities and education. She believes that the girl can achieve more and should choose a profession that requires more knowledge and skills. However, this does not mean that working as a cashier is a bad job.

5. Does it mean that a man doing a less prestigious work is a loser?

No, it does not. Every honest job is important and deserves respect. A person's value does not depend only on the prestige of their profession or their salary. Someone can be successful and happy even if they work in a simple profession, while someone with a prestigious job can be unhappy.

6. The girl doesn’t want to be a square peg in a round hole. Do you know someone who is a square peg in a round hole?

Yes, many people can find themselves in such situations. For example, someone may choose a profession because of family pressure or social expectations, but their personality and interests do not match this work. Such people often feel uncomfortable because they are doing something that is not suitable for them.

7. What would you do if you were in the same situation? Give your piece of advice.

If I were in the same situation, I would try to understand my own interests, abilities and goals before choosing a profession. I would talk to different people, learn more about possible jobs and try different activities to see what I really like. My advice to the girl would be not to be afraid of making mistakes. It is impossible to know everything about the future, and sometimes people find their true path only after trying different things. The most important thing is to choose a profession that matches her personality and makes her feel satisfied.