Читать книгу Brush Up On Your English, фразовые глаголы, учебник. Учебник и рабочая тетрадь для годового курса изучения фразовых глаголов - Игорь Николаевич Евтишенков - Страница 31

My granny used to tell me she had to go to the market every day to buy fresh meat and vegetables for dinner. It was before the refrigerator was invented. Traditionally, eating was something that all family members did together because there was no chance to grab a bite or have a snack on the go like nowadays. In the past, most parents insisted that the whole family sat around the dining table at a certain time. They prayed and tried to act politely while eating. Even my mother used to tell me, «When my lunch is at its peak, I’m deaf and mute, so please don’t speak.» I can’t hear it today among my friends, and it is most unlikely that I will say it to my kids.

Technical inventions have dramatically changed our habits and behaviour. Usually we watch TV, smartphones or tablet PCs while we eat; we don’t share breakfast and lunch with our family and eat at different times. Microwaves have changed the way we cook and today it’s easy to do it in seconds without having to wait until your parents come back home from work. I know that it’s very rare for a lot of my friends’ families to sit at the table together and share their news over a good meal. Moreover, the thought of cooking for someone at home makes them nervous and anxious, for guests in particular. If it happens, the day turns into a nightmare and the hosts don’t feel happy at all. So, most prefer having snacks and lunch outside and ordering pizza or other convenience food has become quite natural. That’s why, times change, but not necessarily for the better.

· TIMES CHANGE, BUT NOT NECESSARILY FOR THE BETTER / времена меняются, но необязательно к лучшему