EP352 雇佣帮手 | 日常生活

My name is Marco.

My name is Marco.

My name is Catherine, and today we're going to be helping you find someone to help out around the house.

My name is Catherine, and today we're going to be helping you find someone to help out around the house.

That's right, so we're looking for someone to help us do some things around the house, so We're gonna talk about this more in depth, but first, let's take a look at one word on vocabulary preview.

That's right, so we're looking for someone to help us do some things around the house, so We're gonna talk about this more in depth, but first, let's take a look at one word on vocabulary preview.

Vocabulary preview.

Vocabulary preview.

So, the beginning of today's dialogue has to do with a newspaper ad.

So, the beginning of today's dialogue has to do with a newspaper ad.

We are writing an ad for the newspaper.

We are writing an ad for the newspaper.

Now, what exactly is a newspaper ad, Marco?

Now, what exactly is a newspaper ad, Marco?

That's right.

That's right.

So, in the newspapers, usually there is a section called the classifieds, where people post ads or advertisements or adverts.

So, in the newspapers, usually there is a section called the classifieds, where people post ads or advertisements or adverts.

Where uh maybe they're selling their car, or they're looking to hire people.

Where uh maybe they're selling their car, or they're looking to hire people.

So, this is what a newspaper ad is.

So, this is what a newspaper ad is.

You you're selling something, you're buying something, or maybe you wanna hire people, et cetera.

You you're selling something, you're buying something, or maybe you wanna hire people, et cetera.

It is a a basically an advertisement in the newspaper to find help.

It is a a basically an advertisement in the newspaper to find help.

All right, so let's listen to our dialogue, and when we come back, we'll be talking more about the words and phrases you've heard.

All right, so let's listen to our dialogue, and when we come back, we'll be talking more about the words and phrases you've heard.

Can you help me write a newspaper ad?

Can you help me write a newspaper ad?

Sure, uh, what are you looking to buy or sell?

Sure, uh, what are you looking to buy or sell?

Actually, I want to hire someone to help me around the house.

Actually, I want to hire someone to help me around the house.

Oh, you want to get a maid?

Oh, you want to get a maid?

Well, I think it's better if you call her a cleaning lady or domestic help.

Well, I think it's better if you call her a cleaning lady or domestic help.

OK, so what do you want her to do?

OK, so what do you want her to do?

Well, let's see.

Well, let's see.

I want her to come in 3 times a week for a couple of hours to clean the kitchen, bathroom, and maybe do some cooking.

I want her to come in 3 times a week for a couple of hours to clean the kitchen, bathroom, and maybe do some cooking.

Got it.

Got it.

And how much do you offer per month?

And how much do you offer per month?

I would pay her hourly.

I would pay her hourly.

I don't know what the going rate is, though.

I don't know what the going rate is, though.

I know for sure it's more than minimum wage, but maybe you should just negotiate with the person that answers the ad. Great, thanks for your help.

I know for sure it's more than minimum wage, but maybe you should just negotiate with the person that answers the ad. Great, thanks for your help.

Alright, we're back. So now, let's take a look at language takeaway.

Alright, we're back. So now, let's take a look at language takeaway.

Language takeaway.

Language takeaway.

OK, so first of all today, Marco, the advertisement is about wanting to hire someone.

OK, so first of all today, Marco, the advertisement is about wanting to hire someone.

Mm hmm.

Mm hmm.

And this is an important verb, especially when we're trying to find help.

And this is an important verb, especially when we're trying to find help.

The verb to hire.

The verb to hire.

That's right.

That's right.

So, to hire means to give someone work, to offer a contract to someone.

So, to hire means to give someone work, to offer a contract to someone.

OK, so, my boss hired me 3 years ago.

OK, so, my boss hired me 3 years ago.

Mm hmm.

Mm hmm.

That means he gave me a job 3 years ago.

That means he gave me a job 3 years ago.

That's right.

That's right.

But this is not just for office jobs, this is for all kinds of job.

But this is not just for office jobs, this is for all kinds of job.

So what about cutting your grass or, uh, doing your your lawn?

So what about cutting your grass or, uh, doing your your lawn?

That's right, so you can hire a gardener for example, and uh It it's basically the same thing.

That's right, so you can hire a gardener for example, and uh It it's basically the same thing.

It's it means that you're going to pay someone to work for you.

It's it means that you're going to pay someone to work for you.

OK, so today we wanted to hire a maid, m a i d, a maid.

OK, so today we wanted to hire a maid, m a i d, a maid.

Mm hmm.

Mm hmm.

uh, But this is a little bit old fashioned, right?

uh, But this is a little bit old fashioned, right?

This word, what does a maid do, or what did a maid do?

This word, what does a maid do, or what did a maid do?

Well, a maid is basically a woman.

Well, a maid is basically a woman.

A female servant so to say, a person that uh basically serves you.

A female servant so to say, a person that uh basically serves you.

All right, so she cleans the house, she maybe puts the covers on the beds, washes the dishes, cooks, uh huh uh does all of these domestic things, so she works around the house.

All right, so she cleans the house, she maybe puts the covers on the beds, washes the dishes, cooks, uh huh uh does all of these domestic things, so she works around the house.

um, But because there's a bad association, we don't like to think, oh, we have servants.

um, But because there's a bad association, we don't like to think, oh, we have servants.

Right?

Right?

We don't say maid anymore.

We don't say maid anymore.

We have two other ways of saying this word.

We have two other ways of saying this word.

That's right.

That's right.

So, we could say that we wanna hire a cleaning lady.

So, we could say that we wanna hire a cleaning lady.

Right, or we wanna hire domestic help.

Right, or we wanna hire domestic help.

OK, now there's an important difference between these two words.

OK, now there's an important difference between these two words.

First of all, cleaning lady is a woman, a lady. uh huh, Um, and she is someone who.

First of all, cleaning lady is a woman, a lady. uh huh, Um, and she is someone who.

Only cleans, right?

Only cleans, right?

She doesn't take care of your children, she doesn't walk your dogs, right?

She doesn't take care of your children, she doesn't walk your dogs, right?

She basically just cleans the house, uh huh, washes the dishes, cleans the clothes, washes the floors.

She basically just cleans the house, uh huh, washes the dishes, cleans the clothes, washes the floors.

So she's a cleaning lady.

So she's a cleaning lady.

Mm hmm.

Mm hmm.

Now, domestic help, this is a little bit more general.

Now, domestic help, this is a little bit more general.

Right, so uh domestic help would be a little bit more uh in depth of what the person's gonna do.

Right, so uh domestic help would be a little bit more uh in depth of what the person's gonna do.

So Will help with the domestic work, with domestic meaning the house.

So Will help with the domestic work, with domestic meaning the house.

So, this person will maybe cook for you, um, clean the house, take care of the kids, do everything that uh as so is associated with the house.

So, this person will maybe cook for you, um, clean the house, take care of the kids, do everything that uh as so is associated with the house.

So it's important to see that domestic means something that has to do with the house.

So it's important to see that domestic means something that has to do with the house.

Mm hmm.

Mm hmm.

So this is help, man or woman, in the house.

So this is help, man or woman, in the house.

Right.

Right.

All right, so that's all we have for language takeaway, but we do have another section, fluency booster, in which we're going to look at some great words and phrases.

All right, so that's all we have for language takeaway, but we do have another section, fluency booster, in which we're going to look at some great words and phrases.

Fluency Builder.

Fluency Builder.

All right, so first on fluency builder, let's take a look at uh how we're going to pay the person, because obviously we were saying that we wanna hire this person, we're gonna pay them.

All right, so first on fluency builder, let's take a look at uh how we're going to pay the person, because obviously we were saying that we wanna hire this person, we're gonna pay them.

So how are we gonna pay them?

So how are we gonna pay them?

uh, The person said, I would pay the woman her hourly, I would pay her hourly.

uh, The person said, I would pay the woman her hourly, I would pay her hourly.

OK, so this is the rate, this is how much she will be paid.

OK, so this is the rate, this is how much she will be paid.

And uh we don't say she will be paid 10,000 dollars per year, we say she will be paid 10 dollars per hour, right?

And uh we don't say she will be paid 10,000 dollars per year, we say she will be paid 10 dollars per hour, right?

So, we pay per hour, this is paying her hourly.

So, we pay per hour, this is paying her hourly.

Mm hmm.

Mm hmm.

Right, so if you have an hourly wage.

Right, so if you have an hourly wage.

That means that you get paid per hour, uh, in contrast with a salary, that means that you would get a fixed amount every month.

That means that you get paid per hour, uh, in contrast with a salary, that means that you would get a fixed amount every month.

All right, so if the monthly salary is 1,000 dollars, for example.

All right, so if the monthly salary is 1,000 dollars, for example.

Mm hmm.

Mm hmm.

You could break that down and say, but every day you earn 100.

You could break that down and say, but every day you earn 100.

Right?

Right?

uh, You work 10 days.

uh, You work 10 days.

But if it's hourly, uh, you say you'll get paid 10 dollars per hour.

But if it's hourly, uh, you say you'll get paid 10 dollars per hour.

So if you work four hours today, you will earn 40 dollars.

So if you work four hours today, you will earn 40 dollars.

That's right.

That's right.

OK, so, now now uh we wanna pay the cleaning lady lady hourly, but We don't know what the going rate is.

OK, so, now now uh we wanna pay the cleaning lady lady hourly, but We don't know what the going rate is.

Going rate, uh huh, going.

Going rate, uh huh, going.

So this is an interesting phrase, and it's important to notice that it's not, going rate is an amount of money, uh huh, but it's not always the same.

So this is an interesting phrase, and it's important to notice that it's not, going rate is an amount of money, uh huh, but it's not always the same.

Right, it depends on the industry.

Right, it depends on the industry.

So the going rate for a teacher is different from the going rate for a.

So the going rate for a teacher is different from the going rate for a.

Cleaning lady, hmm, which is different from the going rate for a language tutor.

Cleaning lady, hmm, which is different from the going rate for a language tutor.

Right?

Right?

Or like a an English, an English tutor.

Or like a an English, an English tutor.

So, hmm, first of all, the going rate is how much?

So, hmm, first of all, the going rate is how much?

These people, these cleaning ladies normally earn, right?

These people, these cleaning ladies normally earn, right?

It's an average.

It's an average.

Right, so y- you would, yeah, you would usually calculate it say the approximate going rate is between maybe 8~10 dollars per hour.

Right, so y- you would, yeah, you would usually calculate it say the approximate going rate is between maybe 8~10 dollars per hour.

So, it's not like an exact amount.

So, it's not like an exact amount.

You would say the going rate is more or less uh a certain amount.

You would say the going rate is more or less uh a certain amount.

It's not exact.

It's not exact.

So, you might ask your friends, wh- what do you pay your cleaning lady?

So, you might ask your friends, wh- what do you pay your cleaning lady?

And one friend says, oh.

And one friend says, oh.

I pay 12 dollars per hour, and my other friend says, oh, I pay about 8 dollars per hour.

I pay 12 dollars per hour, and my other friend says, oh, I pay about 8 dollars per hour.

So, to me, it sounds like the going rate is about 10 dollars per hour.

So, to me, it sounds like the going rate is about 10 dollars per hour.

Right, exactly.

Right, exactly.

So we're not really sure what the going rate is.

So we're not really sure what the going rate is.

um, So our friend says, well, you know what?

um, So our friend says, well, you know what?

I'm sure it's more than minimum wage.

I'm sure it's more than minimum wage.

Now minimum wage is actually something that the government decides on, or either the federal government in America or the state. uh huh, And each state will have.

Now minimum wage is actually something that the government decides on, or either the federal government in America or the state. uh huh, And each state will have.

A a number that they say that is the least you can pay a person per hour.

A a number that they say that is the least you can pay a person per hour.

Right, right.

Right, right.

So, it is the law.

So, it is the law.

If you pay less, it's illegal, it's illegal.

If you pay less, it's illegal, it's illegal.

um, And this is because we expect everyone to be treated fairly, right, right, right.

um, And this is because we expect everyone to be treated fairly, right, right, right.

So so you don't wanna take advantage of people.

So so you don't wanna take advantage of people.

No, and so for example, in America, in my state, Illinois, I think the minimum wage is 7 dollars and 25 cents per hour.

No, and so for example, in America, in my state, Illinois, I think the minimum wage is 7 dollars and 25 cents per hour.

Oh, really?

Oh, really?

Wow.

Wow.

It's pretty high, and this is because people need to pay for health care and cars and houses and children, so We say the least you can pay someone is 7 dollars and 25 cents.

It's pretty high, and this is because people need to pay for health care and cars and houses and children, so We say the least you can pay someone is 7 dollars and 25 cents.

Now, this is different, as you said, it could be different from state to state, right?

Now, this is different, as you said, it could be different from state to state, right?

Yes.

Yes.

Because I know in some states, uh, if I'm not mistaken, it's like 5 dollars and fifty cents or something.

Because I know in some states, uh, if I'm not mistaken, it's like 5 dollars and fifty cents or something.

Yeah, some says it's 5 dollars.

Yeah, some says it's 5 dollars.

It depends on the cost of living.

It depends on the cost of living.

Mm hmm.

Mm hmm.

If it's cheap to rent an apartment or to tran- to find transportation, then obviously the minimum wage is going to be lower.

If it's cheap to rent an apartment or to tran- to find transportation, then obviously the minimum wage is going to be lower.

Mm hmm.

Mm hmm.

Um, obviously there's no maximum wage.

Um, obviously there's no maximum wage.

There's no number that is the most you can pay someone, right?

There's no number that is the most you can pay someone, right?

But all states have a minimum wage is the least that you can pay someone.

But all states have a minimum wage is the least that you can pay someone.

Per hour.

Per hour.

OK, and now uh for our last phrase, uh, we we don't know what the minimum wage is, we're we're not really sure what the going rate is.

OK, and now uh for our last phrase, uh, we we don't know what the minimum wage is, we're we're not really sure what the going rate is.

So, we shou- we should just negotiate with The person that answers the ad.

So, we shou- we should just negotiate with The person that answers the ad.

All right, now, to negotiate is a great verb.

All right, now, to negotiate is a great verb.

uh, It is something that all of us do all the time.

uh, It is something that all of us do all the time.

Right?

Right?

uh, So to negotiate means to try and compromise or to reach an agreement. To reach an agreement, and so maybe I say.

uh, So to negotiate means to try and compromise or to reach an agreement. To reach an agreement, and so maybe I say.

The most I will pay is 11 dollars.

The most I will pay is 11 dollars.

Mm hmm.

Mm hmm.

So I say, OK, I'll pay you 9 dollars.

So I say, OK, I'll pay you 9 dollars.

And I say, no, I'm, I'll take 12.

And I say, no, I'm, I'll take 12.

Yeah, sorry, 12 is too much.

Yeah, sorry, 12 is too much.

I'll pay you 10.

I'll pay you 10.

OK.

OK.

11.

11.

11.

11.

OK.

OK.

Agreed.

Agreed.

OK.

OK.

So, it's a way of uh of Reaching an agreement like you say, where both sides have their goals, right?

So, it's a way of uh of Reaching an agreement like you say, where both sides have their goals, right?

And they try to find a price that is the best for both parties.

And they try to find a price that is the best for both parties.

That's right.

That's right.

So, it's basically a verb to negotiate, and this is what you do, and like as you said in many circumstances, especially whenuh, You're getting a job.

So, it's basically a verb to negotiate, and this is what you do, and like as you said in many circumstances, especially whenuh, You're getting a job.

Yes.

Yes.

All right, so let's listen to the dialogue one last time, and we'll be back in a bit.

All right, so let's listen to the dialogue one last time, and we'll be back in a bit.

Can you help me write a newspaper ad?

Can you help me write a newspaper ad?

Sure, and what are you looking to buy or sell?

Sure, and what are you looking to buy or sell?

Actually, I want to hire someone to help me around the house.

Actually, I want to hire someone to help me around the house.

Oh, you want to get a maid?

Oh, you want to get a maid?

Well, I think it's better if you call her a cleaning lady or domestic help.

Well, I think it's better if you call her a cleaning lady or domestic help.

OK, so what do you want her to do?

OK, so what do you want her to do?

Well, let's see.

Well, let's see.

I want her to come in three times a week for a couple of hours to clean the kitchen, bathroom, and maybe do some cooking.

I want her to come in three times a week for a couple of hours to clean the kitchen, bathroom, and maybe do some cooking.

Got it.

Got it.

And uh how much do you offer per month?

And uh how much do you offer per month?

I would pay her hourly.

I would pay her hourly.

I don't know what the going rate is, though.

I don't know what the going rate is, though.

I know for sure it's more than minimum wage, but maybe you should just negotiate with the person that answers the ad. Great, thanks for your help.

I know for sure it's more than minimum wage, but maybe you should just negotiate with the person that answers the ad. Great, thanks for your help.

All right, so talking about minimum wage, is there any exception to why a person would would earn less than minimum wage?

All right, so talking about minimum wage, is there any exception to why a person would would earn less than minimum wage?

uh, I don't believe so, well, if there Not legally employed, right?

uh, I don't believe so, well, if there Not legally employed, right?

So, if you're talking about people who we say are under the table, uh huh, working under the table, that means that they're not working legally, they're not paying taxes.

So, if you're talking about people who we say are under the table, uh huh, working under the table, that means that they're not working legally, they're not paying taxes.

uh huh, Then maybe those people will be paid less.

uh huh, Then maybe those people will be paid less.

What about uh waiters and waitresses?

What about uh waiters and waitresses?

I've heard that they earn less than minimum wage, but because they earn tips.

I've heard that they earn less than minimum wage, but because they earn tips.

This is true, so, most restaurants say, OK, we will pay you as a waiter 3 dollars an hour, uh huh, but because you will earn tips, you will Earn more than the minimum wage, right?

This is true, so, most restaurants say, OK, we will pay you as a waiter 3 dollars an hour, uh huh, but because you will earn tips, you will Earn more than the minimum wage, right?

So this is a is a good exception.

So this is a is a good exception.

um, Unfortunately, there's no promise.

um, Unfortunately, there's no promise.

If you have no customers, you earn no tips.

If you have no customers, you earn no tips.

So you're still earning less than minimum wage.

So you're still earning less than minimum wage.

That's right.

That's right.

But it's possible that you also have many many customers.

But it's possible that you also have many many customers.

And you earn lots of tips, and you make 15 dollars an hour, or something much higher than the minimum wage.

And you earn lots of tips, and you make 15 dollars an hour, or something much higher than the minimum wage.

That's right, and actually uh being a waiter or a waitress, uh is a very common.

That's right, and actually uh being a waiter or a waitress, uh is a very common.

um, job that a lot of people have when they're still in school or over the summer, and I've heard that it it could be quite good because uh you know Americans areuh, Pretty good tippers.

um, job that a lot of people have when they're still in school or over the summer, and I've heard that it it could be quite good because uh you know Americans areuh, Pretty good tippers.

That's right, Americans generally tip between 15 and 20 percent.

That's right, Americans generally tip between 15 and 20 percent.

Wow!

Wow!

And uh you know that you have to tip because your waiter does not earn minimum wage.

And uh you know that you have to tip because your waiter does not earn minimum wage.

Right, right.

Right, right.

And so, so there's this expectation, yeah.

And so, so there's this expectation, yeah.

So if your bill comes out to like a hundred bucks.

So if your bill comes out to like a hundred bucks.

Then you're you are most definitely gonna leave at least a 20 dollar tip.

Then you're you are most definitely gonna leave at least a 20 dollar tip.

Usually fi-, yeah, 15~20 dollars, 20 dollars if it's that much money.

Usually fi-, yeah, 15~20 dollars, 20 dollars if it's that much money.

Mm hmm.

Mm hmm.

Wow wow, that's that's very very interesting, especially considering that in many countries tipping is not really um considered, uh it's not expected or it's not really something that people do.

Wow wow, that's that's very very interesting, especially considering that in many countries tipping is not really um considered, uh it's not expected or it's not really something that people do.

Exactly, and in America it is something that you have to do.

Exactly, and in America it is something that you have to do.

So I think a lot of times when people come to America, they don't expect to pay this.

So I think a lot of times when people come to America, they don't expect to pay this.

There's tax, there's tip.

There's tax, there's tip.

So when you see a menu, remember that the cost is a lot higher than what you see.

So when you see a menu, remember that the cost is a lot higher than what you see.

Right.

Right.

Exactly.

Exactly.

Alright, very very interesting topic.

Alright, very very interesting topic.

uh, Let us know if you have any questions, any doubts or comments.

uh, Let us know if you have any questions, any doubts or comments.

You can find us at englishpod.com. We'll see you guys there. Bye bye.

You can find us at englishpod.com. We'll see you guys there. Bye bye.