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 child I wanted to be like a cashier in the supermarket with long hair, blue eye shadows and long fingernail moving the cash. But my mother would say “You are not suitable for the job like that. You are too smart”. It is a very difficult to face the real world after being spooned 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.