BBC 6 minute English-Crying men

Transcript of the podcast

NB: This is not a word for word transcript

Neil: Hello and welcome to 6 Minute English with me, Neil, and a very sad looking Finn

Finn: Hi Neil

Neil: Oh dear, what’s wrong Finn

Finn: It’s just this beautiful piece of classical music always makes me cry

Neil: Ah… I see! Finn is a man who cries. That is interesting because this programme is all about men who cry

Finn: Well, I don’t cry all the time, Neil

Neil: We can talk more about your crying later, but first it’s our quiz question. And, of course, it’s about crying. Finn, take this tissue and dry your eyes and answer this

Finn: Thank you. I’ll try my best

Neil: An organisation of eye scientists, called the German Society of Ophthalmology, did some research about male crying habits. I want to know how often men cry every year. Is it

a) Between one and five times

b) Between six and 17 times

c) Between 18 and 25 times

Finn: I think it’s b): six and 17 times

Neil: OK, we will find out at the end of the programme. But back to your classical music now Finn. Do you often cry when you hear a piece of music you love

Finn: Well, not always. It depends on a few different things. And if the music reminds me of something, I can become emotional

Neil: You can say someone is ‘emotional’ if they are showing strong feelings. Well, Finn, you are not the only man who has cried in public recently. David Beckham cried at the end of the final football match of his career. And George Osborne, who is the British finance minister, was recently seen on TV crying. He was at the funeral of the former British prime minister, Margaret Thatcher

Finn: A funeral is the ceremony people go to when someone has died. But why do you sound surprised? It’s normal to cry – especially at a funeral

Neil: But, is it normal for men to cry? People thought it was so strange for the finance minister George Osborne to cry in public that they asked him why he did it. Listen to his answer. He uses that word we talked about – ‘emotional’. Listen for it

British finance minister, George Osborne

I guess I welled up a bit because I thought it was a very emotional and moving occasion and at times overwhelming

Neil: So, he cried because it was an emotional occasion. He used another two words to describe the funeral. Now let’s listen again. Can you hear what they are

British finance minister, George Osborne

I guess I welled up a bit because I thought it was a very emotional and moving occasion and at times overwhelming

Neil: What did he say, Finn

Finn: He said it was moving. If something is moving, it means that it makes you feel sad

Neil: Just like that piece of music that makes you cry, Finn

Finn: OK, Neil. That piece of music is very moving for me

Neil: He also said that the ceremony was overwhelming. When something is overwhelming it makes you feel so emotional, you can’t cope! You have to cry

Finn: Come on, Neil. It’s time for me to ask you some questions. Don’t you ever well up – meaning your eyes fill with tears? You must have had a moving or overwhelming experience

Neil: Of course I have. I welled up when I got married and I cried like a baby when my children were born – but that was because I was so happy

Finn: Ah, so are you saying that it’s OK to cry from happiness

Neil: Maybe that’s true. Lots of men cried during the London Olympics in 2012. Perhaps it’s becoming more normal, but it still seems that if you are a man and you cry in public, it will be talked about in the media as if it is strange or wrong. But, enough about me

Finn: I can see you are trying to avoid talking about this subject, Neil. Does it make you feel uncomfortable or embarrassed

Neil: Not at all. I am a modern man. But just let me turn this on again and see what happens

Finn: Ah, that’s not fair, Neil

Neil: He’s going to start again. Yes, I can see tears – he’s welling up. Here’s the answer to our quiz question. How often do men cry every year

Finn: I said between b) six and 17 times

Neil: And you are right. Join us again for 6 Minute English