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[MARC FRANCO] You're listening to Snap Language.
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[JENNIFER] Hello, everyone.
Welcome back to “Talk Time with Jennifer and George.”
I'm Jennifer.
[GEORGE] And I'm George.
So what's on your mind today, Jennifer?
[JENNIFER] You know, George,
I was walking through downtown yesterday,
and I saw something crazy.
[GEORGE] Uh... Oh, what happened?
[JENNIFER] A woman drove her car half a block to get coffee.
Half a block!
I was, like, “Really? You can’t walk that far?”
[GEORGE] Mmm... I guess you want to talk about the American car culture, then.
But, you know, what you saw is normal in this country, isn't it?
And, um... I do that too sometimes, especially if I’m in a hurry.
[JENNIFER] But why?
I mean, walking is good for you.
I think Americans do this
without even thinking about it.
[GEORGE] For sure. It's part of the culture. Also...
well, it depends where you live, too.
In my suburb, there are no sidewalks.
And the coffee shop
is on the other side of a big highway.
You can't walk there safely!
[JENNIFER] No sidewalks?
Ugh! Why do we do that in the United States?
In many other countries,
you can walk everywhere
or ride a bicycle.
Yeah. American cities are different.
Everything is far apart.
My grocery store is 20 minutes away by car.
My office is about 50 minutes away in light traffic.
[JENNIFER] In light traffic?
[GEORGE] Uh-hm. If the traffic is really heavy,
sometimes it takes over an hour to get to work.
Without a car, well, um... I can’t do anything.
[JENNIFER] Well that's true.
Having a car gives you the freedom to just go.
You don't have to wait for anything.
You don't have to wait
for a taxi or a bus.
You just get in your car and drive off.
[GEORGE] That's why my teenager can’t wait to get her license next year.
[JENNIFER] Sixteen. Ooh.
She wants to be free, doesn't she?
[GEORGE] Oh, yes.
Being able to drive means freedom to anyone,
especially teenagers.
[JENNIFER] I guess the good part is
you don't have to drive her around anymore.
[GEORGE] Exactly.
But it's expensive.
Gas, insurance, car payments.
And if your car breaks down,
you're stuck.
[JENNIFER] Does she have a job?
Well, let's just say
she doesn't make enough money
to own a car.
Guess who's stuck with the bill.
[Jennifer laughs]
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