May.31 Retouched Photos

Article:

Influencers in Norway Must Label Retouched Photos

In Norway, influencers who don't let people know that they've retouched photos on social media could soon get a fine or go to prison.

A new law has been introduced with the hope of fighting unrealistic beauty standards.

Soon, any influencer for posting retouched photos on social media will have to add a label from the government to their photos.

According to the new rules, retouches include making changes to a person's shape, size or skin. So an influencer would have to let people know if they, for example, make their waist smaller, or their muscles bigger.

The law will affect posts on social media sites like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Snapchat. The rules will also apply to advertisements posted by companies.

The law has been introduced as people in Norway worry about the effects of social media on how people feel about their bodies. In the new law, the Ministry of Children and Family Affairs agreed with studies that have found that unrealistic beauty standards can cause low self-esteem.

However, the ministry also said that it will be difficult to make sure that the government's new label will be used for all retouched photos, because it's not always easy to know if a photo has been edited.

Questions:

What do you think about this article?

Do you agree with this Norway's new law?

Do you think Japan should apply the same law?

Have you come across images on social media that are obviously retouched?

Are you concerned about social media's impact on people's mental health?

Have you ever retouched your photos?

If you could introduce one law related to social media use, what would it be?

Have you ever gotten any king of fine before?

Conversation starters

・最近の社会問題で何か関心や気になることはありますか？
　Is there any recent social issue that you are interested in or concerned about?

・好きな季節や天気: 季節や天気の好みを共有します。
　Favorite seasons or weather: Share your preferences for seasons or weather.

・自分探しをしたことはありますか？
　Have you ever gone through self-discovery?

・他の国との文化の違いで驚いたことや面白いと感じたことはありますか？
　Have you ever been surprised or found something interesting due to cultural differences with other countries?

・いま立てている計画や目標などありますか？
　Do you have any plans or goals you are currently working on?

・家でのリラックスタイムに欠かせないものはありますか？
　Is there anything you can’t do without during your relaxation time at home?

・健康のために何かしていることや気を付けていることはありますか？
　Is there anything you do or pay attention to for your health?

・異性の仕草で魅力的な仕草はありますか？
　Are there any gestures or behaviors of the opposite gender that you find attractive?

・何か最近身の回りで起こった興味深い出来事やニュースはありますか？
　Has anything interesting happened around you recently, like events or news?

・もし1日だけ有名人になれるとしたら、誰になりたいですか？
　If you could become a famous celebrity for one day, who would you choose?

 

May.24 Money or Relationship?

※無料のオンライン英会話ミーティングはこちら(Free English Conversation Meeting is here)

Article:

Would you tell your partner if you won the lottery?

Winning the lottery is a dream many people secretly carry in their hearts. People imagine quitting stressful jobs, buying luxury apartments, traveling around the world, or eating at famous restaurants every weekend. Yet history also shows that sudden wealth can damage relationships, destroy trust, and even change personalities. A recent online discussion in Japan revealed how complicated money can become when love is involved.

A 32-year-old man named Minoru posted on an online forum after winning 100 million yen, roughly several hundred thousand dollars. Surprisingly, his biggest concern was not how to spend the money, but whether he should tell his girlfriend about it. He had started dating her only six months earlier after meeting through a matching app, and he was already considering marriage. However, he worried that revealing the truth could affect her attitude toward work or create financial expectations in the future.

The responses from readers were intense. Many advised him to keep the secret forever. Some argued that money changes people and that even kind partners may begin depending too heavily on someone once they know large amounts of cash exist. Others said that if they were the girlfriend, they actually would not want to know. One woman explained that knowing about the money would make ordinary conversations uncomfortable. Asking for a small gift or suggesting a vacation could suddenly feel selfish or suspicious.

Still, not everyone agreed. One married man wrote that he would tell his wife because he trusted her personality. he believed she would respond calmly and focus on saving and investing rather than spending wildly.

The story highlights an important lesson: relationships are often tested not during hard times, but during unexpected good fortune. Money itself is neither good nor bad, but it magnifies people’s values, fears, and habits. In everyday life, whether receiving a bonus, inheritance, or lottery prize, honesty and trust matter more than the size of a bank account. Sometimes the real question is not “How much money do I have?” but “Who can I truly trust with it?”

Questions:

What do you think about this article?

Do you buy lotteries or do you do gambling? 

If you win a big money lottery, do you keep it a secret?

If you won $2 million with a lottery or gambling, what do you spend the money for?

How much money did you win with lottery or gambling at most?

Would you quit your job if you won $2 million? Why? Why not?

Do you think marriage is a gambling?

Do you have any financial advice to younger people than you?