From the students today, one a junior high boy and the other girl just out of university and into her first job. I set them up in a role play, deciding what to take on a picnic. To the girl, “you are going somewhere quiet and peaceful to view cherry blossoms”. To the boy, “You are going with your friends and you want to play loud music on your guitar”. To both “Decide what you are going to take to the cherry blossom viewing party”.
The boy accepting that taking the guitar was a foregone conclusion launched into the fray with “We should take a seat”, “and what do we need that for” came the reply from the girl. “When I play guitar I need something to sit on”. “Well you can take the seat but we don`t need the guitar” quipped the girl.
I had to laugh, politely and professionally of course, but I honestly felt like crying, it was well timed and delivered with just the right touch.