Aug.30 Eat Less Junk Food

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Article:
People Eat Less Junk Food When Buying Groceries Online

For people who just can't seem to pass up the candy or cookies but still want to cut down on unhealthy foods, there might be a simple solution — shopping for groceries online.

A recent study, published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, looked at the shopping habits of 137 people over a period of 44 weeks between 2015 and 2017. The study found that, when shopping online, people spent an average of about $2.50 less on unhealthy impulse purchases, such as candy, ice cream and cakes, compared to shopping in stores.

While the study did not look at the reasons why people spent less on unhealthy foods when shopping online, the authors say that customers may not feel such a strong need to buy these products when they don't see them in person. Also, many supermarkets allow customers to use pre-saved shopping lists online, so they don't go around looking at other products.

When it comes to spending money on sugary drinks, and sweet and salty snacks, however, there seems to be no difference between shopping online and in stores. This is probably because many people plan on buying these items and purchase them regularly, the researchers say.

And while online shopping might help people make healthier food choices, it comes at a cost. Shoppers were found to spend 44% more money and purchase more items when buying groceries online.

The study also found that most shopping is still done in person, with participants ordering groceries online only around 20% of the time.

Questions:

What do you think about this article?

Have you ever bought groceries online? Why? Why not?

Why do you think people spent 44% more money when shopping for groceries online?

Are there any good points about buying groceries online?

Are there any bad points about buying groceries online?

What junk food do you like the most?

Do you often make impulse purchases when you go shopping?

Do you generally prefer sweet or salty snacks? Why?

What are your favorite sugary drinks? How often do you have them?

Are there any foods that you're trying to cut down on? Why?

Have you ever used Uber Eats? How was that?

Conversation starters

・好きな食べ物や好きな料理、好きなレストランを教えて頂けますか？
　Could you tell me your favorite food, favorite dish, and favorite restaurant?

・一番好きな季節はいつですか？　何故ですか？
　Which season do you like the most? Why?

・今までに人生で大きな決断をしたことがありますか？
　Have you ever made a big decision in your life?

・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?

・交通事故にあったことありますか？
　Have you ever been in a traffic accident?

・貴方のよくある週末の過ごし方について教えて頂けますか？
　Could you tell me how you usually spend your weekends?

・今思い返すとなんで流行ってたのっていうファッションや流行について教えて下さい。
　Could you tell me about fashions or trends that were popular before, but you can't understand why, looking back now?

・金縛りの経験はありますか？
　Have you ever experienced sleep paralysis?

・論理的思考と直感とどちらをより信用しますか？
　Which do you trust more: logical thinking or your intuition?

・今までの人生で何か思いきって挑戦したことはありますか？
　Have you ever taken a bold challenge in your life?

Aug.9 Sick Leave

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Article:

Germany to Make It Harder for Workers to Call in Sick

Workers in Germany may soon need to get a doctor's note before calling in sick.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the goal of the new requirement is to reduce the number of sick days taken by workers.

At the moment, workers can simply call their boss to tell them that they're sick and unable to work.

They don't need to show proof that they're sick unless they've missed three days of work. After that, they need to get a note from their doctor if they need to miss a fourth day.

However, the government now wants workers to get a doctor's note from the first day of their sickness.

According to the German Economic Institute, German workers take an average of 14.8 sick days per year. That's more than many other European countries.

Merz said that reducing the number of sick days German workers take will help to boost the economy.

However, some experts say the new plan is a very bad idea.

Some have said that when people are sick with something like a stomach bug or a cold, they shouldn't be going to the doctor, where they could spread infection.

They should be at home, where they can get better.

These people will also make doctors busier just so that they can get a sick note. This would mean that people with other problems may find it more difficult to get an appointment.

However, Merz said he wants to get the plan through parliament by the end of the year.

Questions:

What do you think about this article?

Have you taken any sick leave from work recently?

About how many days of paid vacation do you use in a year?

The average worker in Germany takes 14.8 sick days per year. Do you think that's a lot?

At your current workplace, do you ever feel it's psychologically difficult to take a day off when you're sick?

Have you ever gone to work or worked remotely even though you were feeling sick?

When you take a day off from work, which do you think is the better way to notify your employer: a phone call or a chat message (or email)?

To be honest, have you ever taken a sick leave when you weren't actually ill? (In other words, have you ever taken a fake sick day?)