Please answer this: Phil: Yes, and what an experience.  Nate: What do you mean?  Phil: Well, it's nothing like visiting a swimming pool in the States.  Nate: Well, what do you do when you go to a public bath?  Phil: First, you take off your shoes before you enter.  Nate: Okay.  Phil: Then, you pay an entrance fee to the man or woman at the front counter. [Um-huh]. Next, you get undressed in the dressing room. And I was very surprised ... and a little embarrassed to see that the woman who took my money was sitting on a platform where she had a clear view of the men's side of the dressing room. [Really?] This allows the workers to keep an eye on the patrons' belongings while they are in the bath.  Nate: Wow. And do you wear a bathing suit or something?  Phil: Oh no! You don't wear anything. Then you go into the main bathing area and wash your body while sitting on a small stool about 40 centimeters high.  Nate: On a stool!?  Phil: Yeah. It was really hard getting used to bathing in that position. Sometimes, even, people wash each other's backs.  Nate: Oh really. So, what do you do after that?  Phil: Well, after you've rinsed off all the soap, they usually have two or three large baths where you can soak for a while.  Nate: Do you actually share the bath with other people?  Phil: Yeah. Traditionally, the bath played an important role in the community. It gave neighbors an opportunity to socialize while bathing.  Nate: Huh. Interesting.  Phil: When you're all done bathing, people relax in the dressing room by watching TV, drinking tea or juice, or talking to friends. It's quite an experience.  What was said before this conversation?
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Answer: Nate: Hey Phil: Have you ever been to a Japanese public bath? I hear it's quite an experience.


Please answer this: W: Yes, speaking?  M: Hello, it is Eric from London.  W: Hello, Eric. How can I help you?  M: I'm fixing up on next project team meeting, and I just want to check some possible dates with you.  W: Fine, let me just get my diary. Ok, which dates are you looking at?  M: I've spoken to the others, and they prefer either the third week of May or the second week of June.  W: Yeah, both of the weeks are pretty clear at the moment except for the 11th of June.  M: Right, I've got that.  W: So where is the meeting taking place this time?  M: It was going to be in London. But I spoke to Carlos in Mexico City and he suggested Chicago. He thinks it will be more convenient for most of the team.  W: He's probably right. It'll certainly be much easier for me as well. Because I can fly from Toronto, and I'm sure you can find a meeting room somewhere near the airport.  M: That's a good idea. I'll check up some hotels in that area and get back to you towards the end of the week.  W: Fine, but I'm not in the office on Friday.  M: Ok, I'll call you later in the afternoon on Thursday.  W: No problem. Bye.  What was said before this conversation?
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Answer: M: Is that Anne Shaw?


Please answer this: M: Yes, I know. I decided to work during the evening rush hour.  W: And so your dinner's cold. Why do you work so hard?  M: I just start, and then I can't stop.  W: You can stop any time. You don't need to keep on working at all.  M: And then what could I do?  W: We could move to Florida.  M: Oh, Florida. Is it any better than New York?  W: It's warm and sunny all year round. No more snow, no more ice.  M: And what about the children and the grandchildren?  W: They could come, and visit us every winter.  M: And what would we do every spring, summer, and fall?  W: A lot of our friends have moved to Florida. We know a lot of people there.  M: Well, I'll think about it.  What was said before this conversation?
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Answer:
W: It's seven o'clock already, dear.