Lifestyle in Britain. Дворжец О.С. - 79 стр.

                                                                          Call M. –
                                                                          George to
                                                                          come too?
                                 Extra tickets?

               2     GEORGE        9                   16   Tennis       23                 30
SUTURDAY                           Rock concert                               Maria’s
                    VISITING                                Coaching
                                   at Apollo                                  party
                    Museum?                                 WEEKEND

               3    Excursion      10                  17                24  Morning:       31
SUNDAY                             Morning:                 Find out
                    to Botanic                                           English Club
                    Gardens?       English Club             if guests    Meeting: Planning
                                   Meeting (film)           allowed.     next year’s activities


                                       Find out which film
                                       - George might be interested.


Topic 3
15     One Christmas and New Year tradition that seems to be increasing in popularity is
that of writing letters to the newspapers to complain about Christmas and the New
Year. Below you are given an example of such a letter written by George F. Fairfax,
aged 21.


                                                                        16 Carlton mansions,
                                                                        Manchester, MA1 62D
                                                                        14th December 1997

The Editor
‘The Times’
200 Gray’s Inn Road,
London, WC1X8EZ

Sir,
Since I last wrote to your newspaper a year has passed. However your paper’s attitude to these
idiotic festivities has not changed at all.
Although it is clear to most right-thinking people that the so – called ‘festive season’ is noth-
ing more than a time for synthetic sentiment, your paper persists in perpetuating the myth of a
‘time of good will’ etc. For example last week you published a nauseating piece on ‘Childhood
Christmases’ and printed photographs of the tasteless illuminations that ‘decorated’ (your
word!) some provincial town. In this way you are encouraging those who see the last week of
December and the first week in January as an opportunity for reckless self – indulgence.
However, in spite of my distaste for this nonsense, perhaps because I don’t want to be thought
of as a miserable crank, I should like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Yours faithfully,
George F.Fairfax

                                                  79