81Expressing doubts
and uncertainty
Conversation: Advice to a friend
Pat: Hi, Katie—I’m calling you to cry on your shoulder. Do you mind if I come over?
I really need to talk to you.
Katie: Of course I don’t mind; come over. I’ll make a pot of tea. Pat, what’s the matter?
Pat: It’s just that everything is wrong with my life. In the first place, there are so
many problems at work. My boss is really out to get me. He’s on my case for every
little thing. Lately I can’t do anything that pleases him. Plus, he makes me so
nervous that I’m beginning to make unnecessary mistakes.
Katie: So, what’s the reason for all that?
Pat: It’s probably because he has problems at home. But that doesn’t give him the
right to take it all out on me, does it?
Katie: It’s just the opposite. It’s at work where he ought to seek a little peace so he
can work out his personal problems at home. At least that’s what I think.
Pat: I have the impression that nobody is really happy. The situation at my house
doesn’t exactly cheer me up either. You know what? Those two guys I share the
house with don’t have a clue about how to keep it clean. They don’t lift a finger to
help me. Last night I spent two hours cleaning the kitchen while they pigged out on
pizza and watched TV. I’m sick and tired of their behavior. But that’s not the worst!
As if that weren’t enough, Brad refuses to talk to me. Like out of the blue he’s
decided he wants his space. I really feel like throwing in the towel.
Katie: Calm down, Pat, and let’s look at one thing at a time. I don’t think things are
as bad as they seem right now. For a start, why don’t we make a list of the positive
things in your life? That way, you’ll realize what your strengths are. Then we’ll
make a plan to begin changing the things that aren’t working for you. You
shouldn’t let yourself get depressed.
Pat: Thanks, Katie. You know, I already feel much better. You really know how to
cheer me up.
Katie: I care about you. After all, you are my best friend—and have been from the
get-go. I know I can count on you for good advice from time to time.Improving your conversation
In the first place
In the first place is an expression that precedes the first point or argument you
present when trying to convince someone of something.I don’t want to live in the southern part of the county. In the first place, the
schools are not very good there.· 8 ·