Aussie jokester spends a day on the town with a rubbish bin

Category: Human Interest

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. hit / hɪt / (v.) – to go to or arrive at a place
    Example:

    I often hit the gym after work.


  2. sanitation worker / ˌsæn ɪˈteɪ ʃən ˈwɜr kər / (n.) – a person who’s responsible for cleaning establishments
    Example:

    Jim’s tasks as a sanitation worker include cleaning public toilets and emptying trash cans.


  3. get a kick out of (something) / gɛt ə kɪk aʊt ʌv / (idiom) – to find enjoyment or amusement in something
    Example:

    I get a kick out of funny videos online. I watch them if I want a good laugh.


  4. rubbish / ˈrʌb ɪʃ / (n.) – something, such as an idea or word, that’s considered foolish or silly
    Example:

    I don’t believe any word that Ria says. It’s rubbish!


  5. suffer / ˈsʌf ər / (v.) – to experience loss, damage, or a bad effect
    Example:

    The Tokyo Yakult Swallows became the 2021 Champions of the Japan Series after Orix Buffaloes suffered a loss.


Article

Read the text below.

During the pandemic, Australia enforced some of the severest lockdowns in the world. But now that the latest coronavirus wave is falling, the nation seems ready to embrace life anew, Aussie style.


That means more communication, more fun and a lot more sharing of good humor where you can find it.


In Mackay, Queensland, a man named Carl Stanojevic decided to take his neighbor’s words literally when the latter asked him to “take my (trash) bins out please.” The neighbor, Nick Doherty, couldn’t do it himself since he had to get to work.


Instead of just taking the single wheelie bin to the curb, Stanojevic loaded it into his car and took it with him to the surf club, the hardware store, a few pubs plus a drive-thru restaurant.


Later, feeling in need of a bit of relaxation, Stanojevic and the bin hit a massage and tattoo parlor. The bin, refreshed and tattooed, called home from a phone booth and posed for photos with some sanitation workers. The pair spent five hours in each other’s company, with Stanojevic taking photos every step of the way.


The next day, Stanojevic shared the pictures with Nick, who got a huge kick out of them and contacted the local news station. “Bin day not half rubbish for Mackay man doing his neighbour a favour” ran the headline.


Stanojevic was quoted as saying: “It’s heartbreaking to see all those businesses doing it tough, so I thought if I could put a smile on a couple of people’s faces, then so be it.”


Doherty and his bin are together again but their relationship may have suffered a setback. He later told reporters that Stanojevic has “definitely raised the expectations of my bin now. I’m going to have to start taking it out regularly or it’ll find another owner.” (The Japan Times)


This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Instead of just placing the bin on the curb, Stanojevic took it to the surf club, the hardware store, a few pubs, plus a drive-thru restaurant. Would you ever go that far for the sake of sharing good humor? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Nick, the man who owns the bin, enjoyed what Stanojevic did so much that he shared the pictures with the local news station. If you were Nick, would you have done the same? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Stanojevic said he did the gag because he wanted to put a smile on people’s faces during this tough time. In your opinion, what’s the best way to cheer people up during tough times (ex. performing an uplifting song, creating an inspiring video)? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, how important is humor in a person’s life? In what situations is humor helpful? When is it more appropriate to be serious? Discuss.