Listen
In this week's The English We Speak programme, William is sad about his cat and Li encourages him to get in touch with his feelings.
William misses his cat Tigger.
The script for this programme
Li: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Yang Li.
William: (subdued) I'm William Kremer.
Li: So, what English are we speaking today, William?
William: (sigh) I don't know.
Li: Oh what a big sigh! What's wrong?
William: Oh, it doesn't matter.
Li: Oh, come on! I can see something's not right. What's wrong?
William: (sigh) It's... well, if you must know, it's Tigger... he's died.
Li: Tigger? Who's Tigger?
William: Tigger... Tigger is... Tigger was my beautiful cat. He was my best friend. I suppose you could say that. I'm going to miss his stripey face in the morning. And his purr, yeah, I'm going to miss that. But, you know, these things happen. I shouldn't get so upset...
Li: Why not? I think it's normal to be very sad when a pet dies.
William: No, no, it's silly! I'm getting upset over an animal! I'm not a baby! I should grow up.
Li: But you might find it helpful to talk about your feelings for Tigger.
William: No, no, no, no! I hate all of that touchy-feely stuff!
Li: Touchy-feely?
William: Yeah, if something is touchy-feely it's very emotional. If you are a touchy-feely person you don't mind talking about your feelings and maybe actually hugging people.
Li: I see. So is this a negative phrase, touchy-feely?
William: Yeah, a little bit. Let's hear a couple of examples of it in use:
- Man: Do you know, I never once saw my mum and dad kiss or hug.
- Man 2: Really? Gosh, that seems incredible.
- Man: But I think they really loved each other. They just weren't all touchy-feely about it.
- Woman: Did you go to that drama group?
- Woman 2: Yeah. I don't think I'll go again.
- Woman: Oh? Why not?
- Woman 2: Well, the acting was fine. But it's all that touchy-feely stuff they do that I don't like.
Li: Look, you English people! You just can't talk about your feelings, can you?
William: Well, you might be right Li – we're not famous for talking about our feelings. Now, before we finish, I have heard this phrase touchy-feely being used in a very different way too. Listen to this:
- Woman: I love your sweater!
- Man: Thanks.
- Woman: It's so soft! I love this material. It's so touchy-feely!
- Man: OK. Shall I take it off and then you can touch it properly?!
Li: So in that example, 'touchy-feely' was being used to describe a kind of material.
William: Yes. If something is touchy-feely it is very soft. You want to stroke it, just like Tigger. I'm going to miss stroking Tigger.
William: The way he used to purr... And sometimes he would bring me a little present, you know. A dead mouse or maybe a little bird. So thoughtful.
Li: Hmm. It's OK to cry you know, William...
William: (recovering himself) No! No it's not. No touchy-feely stuff!
Li: Oh I give up. Goodbye everyone.
William: Bye!
