The Three “Treasures” in Life By Cathy Chang

Outline Starting Questions Family –Starting Questions –Useful Expressions –Discussion Questions Friends Significant Other

Starting Questions The 3 treasures in life ( 人生的三寶 ): –Family –Friends –Girlfriend/Boyfriend (the significant other) Do you believe in this saying? Why or why not? Are there different degrees of importance between the three? Are there other “treasures” in life?

Family (Starting Questions) Introducing your family members Who is the closest to you? Or influences you the most? Why or why not? Do you live with your parents? Advantages and disadvantages What kind of family would you like to have yourself in the future?

Useful Expressions Adoptive parents (stepfather, step mother) - 養父養母 Siblings - 兄弟姊妹 In-law(s): –Brother-in-law = 姊（妹）夫 –Son-in-law = 女婿 –Daughter-in-law = 媳婦 Spouse - 配偶 (ex-wife/former wife, separated, divorced) Types of Family - nuclear, extended, DINK (double- income-no-kid), bi-cultural, blended (step)

Discussion Questions Family Resemblance: Who do you look like more in your family? Personality-wise? Generation Gap: Do you think that it is hard to communicate with the older generation? Can you describe one thing that makes your family unique and different from others?

Friends What is the difference between acquaintances, friends, and best-friends? Do you have this distinction? What is your definition of friendship? How do you maintain friendships? What are some characteristics that you think a friend should have?

Useful Expressions (1) Pen pal - 筆友 Internet friends - 網友 Friends from different generations - 不 同世代的朋友 Fair-weather friend - 酒肉朋友 Bad/good/best friends - 壞 / 好 / 至友 True/false friends - 真正 / 虛偽的朋友

Useful Expression (2) Loyal 忠誠的 Sincere 誠懇的 Supportive 支持的 相挺的 Close/intimate 親近的 Mutual understanding 互相瞭解 Have sth. In common 有共同點 Care about somebody (sb.) 關心某人 Take care of sb. 照顧某人 Get along (well) with sb. 與某人和睦相處 keep in touch with sb. 與某人保持聯絡 Lose touch with sb. 與某人失去聯繫 Maintain the friendship 維持友誼 Drift apart 疏遠

Significant Others What do you look for in a boy/girlfriend? Do you believe in love at first sight? Do you believe in having only one true love? Are there any differences in expectations between boy/girlfriend and husband/wife? What are the important things in maintaining a relationship? What is your opinion towards couples living together before marriage?

Useful Expressions One night stand 一夜情 Man of your dreams 夢中情人 True love 貞愛 Cohabitation 同居 Heartbroken 失戀 Have a crush on sb. 迷戀某人 Puppy love 少男少女間短暫的愛情

Further Discussion Do you feel that marriage and creating a family is the ultimate goal in life? What are the attitudes of today’s youth that are different from older generations? Do you feel that the relationships between people, including families and friends, have become weaker? Or stronger?

References Materials from Paul’s PowerPoint files