Wellness Tourism (6)
TALK THE TALK
Satoshi Sugita: Our current vignette talks about wellness tourism or travel aimed at improving participants' physical and mental well-being. Have you ever done that, Heather?
Heather Howard: No, but I woud love to. It sounds terrific. I wouldn't mind a yoga trip, for example ― a package at some quiet resort where I could take daily yoga classes, eat healthy meals packed with fruits and vegetables and take long reflective walks on a beach. I maybe do some meditation too.
It also might be fun to try something new. Like, archery, which I've always longed to try, or surfing, which I've only done one single time in my life. What about you, Mr. Sugita?
Satoshi Sugita: I have always lived in a world obsessed with working long hours and staying busy. That's how we all contributed to the business world and to our economy. So but the only thing I've done to combine wellness and travel is to go to onsen. I still leave the hustle and bustle of Tokyo every once in a while and unwind by going to an onsen and getting a massage and a haircut.
hustle and bustle 雑踏 - 英辞郎 on the WEB
unwind 〔緊張がとれて〕くつろぐ、リラックスする - 英辞郎 on the WEBより
Heather Howard: Oh, massages! Massages are one of the best things human being's ever invented. There is a massage salon near my office, and every couple of months or so, I go there for a foot rub or a hand rub ― sometimes both. So I would have to add those to my fantasy wellness tour too.
And acupuncture. I had acupuncture every month when I was pregnant with my daughter. And my body felt lighter after every session. I really think it helped me stay in good condition.
Forest bathing sounds nice as well. You haven't done that, Mr. Sugita.
Satoshi Sugita: No, I haven't. The concept of shinrinnyoku or forest bathing was patterned after sun bathing. It was promoted by the Japanese government in the early 1980s and eventually made its way overseas.
The health benefits of spending time in forests are said to be more psychological than scientific. But chemicals emitted from trees known as phytoncides are believed to reduce stress levels. Some scientists also suggest that forest sounds, birds chirping, rustling leaves have a physiologically calming effect. But evidence to support that theory seems limited.
pattern after ～を模範とする - 英辞郎 on the WEB
birds chirping 鳥のさえずり
physiologically 生理（学）的に - 英辞郎 on the WEB
calming effect 心を落ち着かせる効果、沈静効果 - 英辞郎 on the WEB
Heather Howard: Well, I'm a big believer in the idea that a tranquil mind contributes to a healthy body. At the very least, there's no harm to things like forest bathing. If they make people feel happier and less stressed, I'm all for it.
Satoshi Sugita: The vignette also mentions that Millennials are the main target for wellness tours.
Heather Howard: I am definitely getting old. When I read that, I couldn't help thinking, "Millennials? Why do they need extra help with their health? They're still fairly young and strong. Their metabolisms haven't slowed to a crawl. Move over, kids, and make room for those of us who really need some nurturing"! But no, seriously, it's good that Millennials prioritize their health. Their bodies will thank them for it in later years. So will their bank accounts. They won't have to spend as much on medical care if they've kept themselves healthy and in good physical shape.
slow to a crawl 鈍化する、のろくなる - 英辞郎 on the WEB
move over 場所を空ける、脇へどく - 英辞郎 on the WEBより
LISTENING CHALLENGE
CHALLENGE 1:
Which chart in the text shows the correct sales figures?
Okay? Here we go.
And now, if I may direct your attention to the following chart, you can see how our merger with Axcenile Corporation in April 2018 affected our total revenues afterward. As with all mergers, the acquisition of debt negatively affected our revenues. As can be seen in June when they dropped slightly. They continued declining throughout the third quarter, seen here on the chart in September likely as a result of expenses related to opening a new office in Cleveland. Thankfully, by the end of the year revenues rebounded significantly to double where they were in March.
The answer is （ありませんが）B.
CHALLENGE 2:
When will the meeting take place?
A. 11 a.m. tomorrow.
B. 11 a.m. the day after tomorrow.
C. 1 p.m. the day after tomorrow.
Okay? Let's listen.
Bill: Nadine, we're having our weekly meeting tomorrow at 11, aren't we? Same as usual.
Nadine: Hi, Bill. I was just going talk to you about that. Darren told me one of his clients called earlier today. He needs to go meet them at their office at around 1 p.m. They're way across town. So you'll need to leave before noon to avoid lunch time traffic.
Bill: I see. Well, how about the day after tomorrow at 11?
Nadine: I could make it. But Darren always look so busy in the mornings.
Bill: You're right. One p.m. is a better option. I'll ask Darren.
The answer is C. 1 p.m. the day after tomorrow.
AS THEY SAY
石の上にも3年
To sit on the stone for 3 long years.
冷たい石でもその上に3年続けて座っていれば暖かくなる、というところから、辛抱すればやがては成功するperseverance prevailsの意味で使われる。
A rolling stone gathers no moss.
転がる石に苔むさず
もともとは「転居や転職を繰り返せば成功しない/お金はたまらない」などといった意味で用いられていた。現代において特に転職が当たり前のアメリカでは、「苔がつかない」を良い意味にとって肯定的に使うことも少なくない。
転職を繰り返していけば、嫌な上司に使えることもない、といった意味で
A rolling stone gathers no boss.