INTRODUCE
More and more companies in Japan are starting to address the concept of smell harassment. While on the surface it may seem like a laughing matter, one’s personal odor can be a rather sensitive subject, making it difficult to take action against offenders.
PRESENT
STEP A EXPRESSIONS
Go over the first two expressions with your tutor and choose T for true or F for false. Then, guess the meaning of the third expression based on the clues provided.
1. When you say less is more, you’re saying that something simple is better than something elaborate or complicated.
I always go for a clean, fresh look. When it comes to make-up, I think less is more.
When it comes to decorating your home, I believe that less is more. ( T / F )
2. Too much of a good thing means that something good can be bad if it’s done in excess.
I now know why they say you can have too much of a good thing… I ate two boxes of cookies, and now my stomach really hurts!
When it comes to rest or relaxation, I believe that you can’t have too much of a good thing. ( T / F )
3. _____________ ______.
Have you been drinking at the bar again? You reek of alcohol and cigarette smoke.
Q: What do you think reek means?
STEP B SPEAK YOUR MIND
Sometimes you want to explain something by giving an example.
Looks can be deceiving. Take Mark, for example. He looks like a simple guy, but he’s actually the CEO of a very successful company.
Really? I didn’t know that!
UNDERSTAND
READING
This is a blog post about smell harassment in the office.
Stop and smell your coworkers.
Do you have a colleague who reeks of cigarette smoke every day?
A boss who has clearly never bought deodorant in his or her life?
Maybe a coworker who doesn’t know that less is more when it comes to perfume or cologne?
How about a teammate who has never heard the phrase “too much of a good thing” and makes you dizzy with his or her overly scented lotions and fabric softeners?
Are you dying to say something to them but don’t know if you can? Well, worry no more! You can now go straight to HR and declare, “I am a victim of smell harassment!”
In the last few months, a number of companies in the service sector have implemented regulations to address the issue of smell harassment. Take Scan, a leading eyeglasses chain, for example. Employees at Scan are now required to brush their teeth after meals and to avoid eating strong-smelling food during work hours. Apparently, the company decided to take action after receiving a complaint from a customer who was fitted with eyeglasses by an employee whose breath apparently reeked.
Although bad or overly strong odors can be a sensitive issue, that should not stop us from taking action against it. Let us be vigilant and protect our noses! Stop and smell your coworkers and eliminate smell harassment at the workplace.
TRIVIA
Many Japanese students translate the word kousui (香水) into English as perfume. While this is not technically incorrect, most native English speakers prefer to use different terms depending on whether the fragrance is intended to be used by women or by men. In general, women say they use perfume and men say they use cologne.
PRACTICE
Complete the dialogues using the pictures and the expressions in parentheses. More than one answer may be possible.
ex.
Tutor: I’m thinking of having plastic surgery. Maybe I should get my nose, eyes, and cheekbones done. What do you think?
Student: (less is more) No, I think that’s too much. Less is more.
1.
Tutor: Joe’s been napping for three hours! Can we wake him up?
Student: (too much of a good thing) __________.
2.
Tutor: The boys just finished playing a game of football. When we drive home, do you think we should put the windows down?
Student: (reek) __________.
3.
Tutor: Okay, I’m ready for my date! Do you think my make-up looks okay?
Student: (less is more) __________.
CHALLENGE
Challenge 1
Your company received a complaint about a smelly staff member, so your HR has decided to take action. Read an office memo about a seminar on how to avoid smell harassment. Then, talk to a coworker about it.
Today's Expressions
- less is more
- too much of a good thing
- reek
Speak Your Mind
- Take …, for example.
For: All Employees
Subject: Summer Reminders
Dear staff,
As we strive to provide the best service to our customers this summer, we aim to avoid complaints due to employees who have strong or unpleasant odors.
Employees are advised to use mild fragrances. Remember that it is possible to have too much of a good thing when it comes to perfume, cologne, and scented lotion.
Employees are also cautioned against the use of too much scented fabric softener for their clothes. The less is more principle should be followed.
In line with our goal to avoid customer complaints, all employees are required to attend an Odor Etiquette Seminar to be hosted by Sweet Smell Corp. on Wednesday, June 17. The seminar will cover topics about the causes of body odor, ways to prevent it, and other tips and tricks to put an end to smell harassment at the office.
Attendance is a must! Compliance will be checked by team leaders and HR personnel.
Thank you. We expect to see you there.
Sincerely,
Natsumi Mori
Head, Human Resources Department
Challenge 2
What do you think? What does your tutor think? Discuss.
If TimeAllows
1 SMELL HARASSMENT |
2 LESS IS MORE |
|---|---|
|
1 SMELL HARASSMENT
|
2LESS IS MORE
|
FEEDBACK
I can read and understand a text about smell harassment.
LESSON GOAL ACHIEVEMENT
-
4
Very GoodCould complete the task with ease
-
3
GoodCould complete the task with some clarifications
-
2
FairCould complete the task with additional instructions
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1
PoorCould somehow complete the task with difficulty
PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK
- RANGE
the ability to use a wide variety of vocabulary - ACCURACY
the ability to speak correctly - FLUENCY
the ability to speak smoothly without pauses or fillers - INTERACTION
the ability to manage a conversation
