James Baquet

    Mark is chatting with his classmate Ming in the common room of their dorm.

    Mark: So, Ming? How did the English corner go?

    Ming: Thanks to you, Mark, it was a smash!

    Mark: That’s great!

    Ming: Yeah, just one problem: they’ve asked me to lead another one!

    Mark: Wow, you must have really been good! What’s the topic next time?

    Ming: “Marriage and family.” And I’m having the same problem as last time: My questions are boring.

    Mark: What’s your first question?

    Ming: Do you want to get married, or stay single?

    Mark: Actually, that’s not bad. Or you could ask a bigger question.

    Ming: Like what?

    Mark: Well, you know, marriage is changing. So you could ask if people think marriage is still useful, or if it’s too old-fashioned. Or maybe ask if they think their marriage will be the same as their parents’ or grandparents’.

    Ming: I see. We’re asking about marriage itself, not just if the person will get married.

    Mark: Exactly. What else do you have?

    Ming: How many kids do you want to have?

    Mark: Not bad — assuming they want to have kids. But again, a more philosophical question might be more interesting.

    Ming: Like what?

    Mark: Like, “Is it better to be an only child, or come from a medium- or large-sized family?”

    Ming: That’s good.

    Mark: Or, “Would you rather be the oldest child, the youngest, or somewhere in the middle?” “Would you rather have only brothers, only sisters, or a mix?”

    Ming: Yeah, those are good. Maybe something about child-rearing, too?

    Mark: Good idea. “Would you push your children in a certain direction for school, or for a career, or just let them do whatever they choose?”

    Ming: I like that!

    Mark: “How much influence do you want to have on your kid regarding things like choice of friends, smoking, alcohol, and so on?”

    Ming: Yeah, I get it! These are great, Mark.

    Mark: I’ve done a lot of English corners, so it kind of comes naturally.

    Ming: Cool. Maybe I could ask something about technology, too. “How old will you want your kid to be before he gets his first phone? His first computer? Will you let your kid play with your phone or tablet when he’s still really young?”

    Mark: That’s a big topic today.

    Ming: I’m also interested in university —

    Mark: Of course!

    Ming: Like, “Would you insist your child should go to university? Is university really that important these days?”

    Mark: That should take some time to discuss!