知ってる内容を英語ルートで理解。
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Recently, there was news about big department stores closing one by one. This is because more people shop online now, and the department store buildings are very old. The news reporters were sad and shared fond memories of going shopping at department stores with family when they were young.
This news from Japan reminded me of a story from a few years ago about shopping malls in the USA becoming less popular.
However, I was surprised to learn that shopping malls are actually becoming more popular again, especially with the younger “Generation Z”. Many of them say they like going to malls now because they want more social interaction after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Who do you think this new generation wants to socialize with at the mall?
Based on my experience in a rural area of Wisconsin, they seem to enjoy casual conversations with shop assistants and cashiers. I remember customers at the cashier would happily chat with the cashier, even if there was a long line behind them.
In Japanese culture, it seems less common to have friendly conversations with shop staff. The TV reporters did not mention missing that social interaction when department stores were closing.
But the desire for more social contact may exist in Japan too. For example, my wife went to a nearby supermarket, and an elderly lady approached her. The lady shared personal stories about her difficult marriage. After opening her heart, she thanked my wife sincerely for listening.
So why not try having small talks with strangers, even shop assistants or cashiers when the line is not too long? You may be happily surprised by how satisfying a brief friendly chat can be.
私立学校に英語教師として勤務中、40代半ばに差し掛かったころ、荒れたクラスを立て直す策として、生徒に公言して英検1級に挑戦することを思い立つ。同様の挑戦を繰り返し、退職までに英検一級（検定連合会長賞）、TOEIC満点、国連英検SA級、フランス語一級、スペイン語一級（文科大臣賞）、ドイツ語一級、放送大学大学院修士号などの成果を得る。
アメリカで生徒への対応法を学ぶ為に研修（地銀の助成金）。最新の心理学に触れた。4都県での全発表、勤務校での教員への研修を英語で行う。現在も特別選抜クラスの授業を全て英語で行っている。「どうやって単語を覚えればいいですか？」という良くある質問に答える為、印欧祖語からの派生に基づく「生徒には見せたくない語源英単語集」を執筆中。完成間近。常日頃洋書の読破で様々な思考にふれているが、そうして得た発想の一つを生かして書いた論文がコロナ対策論文として最近入賞。賞品の牛肉に舌鼓をうっている。元英検面接委員