Society

Questions for discussion: Is it possible to balance alcohol consumption and a healthy lifestyle? What is your favorite alcoholic beverage? Should parents be able to determine drinking age for their children before the age of 18 (as opposed to the government controlling this)? Drink driving: in some countries it’s ok to drink a little before driving. Is it possible to have similar law in Russia? Why or why not? Should alcohol be sold after 10pm? What are the pros and cons? Do Russians really drink too much? Is alcoholism a big problem in Russia? Is contraband/low quality alcohol a big problem in Russia?

Questions for discussion: Russians distrust anything cheap. The English word "bargain" cannot be adequately translated into Russian. Although Russians distrust anything with a cheap price, they are fine with freebies. A Russian who reaches high levels of power feels it his his/her duty to put down those who don't. In Russia you need to call the lazy waitresses over by aggressively yelling "Girl!" One needs skills in hitting people with your elbows on the Moscow Metro. In Russia you can drink beer on a park bench without getting arrested. Russians gather in the kitchen and stay up very late, talking about "life". Russians usually avoid talking about work. During any reception in Russia people are immediately separated by gender.

Questions for discussion: What can you say about the present economic situation? Compare the economic situation of today with the situation 2 years ago. Do you think that unemployment will increase / decrease in the next few years? What can we do with people who have been laid off and who have no real chance of finding another job? Has computer created or killed jobs? Describe the current business situation in your company. Has your company ever laid off employees? Do you have flextime in your company? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Which business areas have a bright future in your opinion? Should every European country join in the European Union?

Questions for discussion: (ask and answer) Are young people generally more selfish than their parents and grandparents? Should adults try to teach young people lessons, such as the dangers of drinking too much, taking drugs or contracting the HIV virus, or should they leave them alone to find out about these things themselves? What do you think is the best age to be? Explain your opinion. Most countries give young people rights as they reach a certain age. For example, British people can legally make love or fight for their country at the age of 16; they can drink, vote and drive a car when they are 18. Does your country have similar laws? Do you think that any of the age limits need changing? Should young people have to do some form of military or community service by law?

What do you think is the best age to be? Why are so many differences between generations? Can you name them? Should adults try to teach young people lessons, such as the dangers of drinking too much, taking drugs or catch the AIDS virus, or should they leave them alone to find out about these things themselves? Do you feel respectful to the older generation and for what? If people are still able to (and want to) work, should they have to retire when the reach a certain age? Are you afraid of getting old? Have you ever thought about what would you like to do in old ages? In Russia and in many other countries, there is a tradition of choosing leaders who are quite advanced in years. Do you think that older people are better leaders? Some people say that youth is a state of mind, do you agree?

Questions for discussion (ask and answer): What do you think are the characteristics of a good member of society? What contributions have you made to society, in your opinion? Do you believe in a high tax economy (e.g. Sweden) which distributes money to education and health or a low tax economy (e.g. the U.S.A.) where people make private provision for good services? How would you describe your society? Do you have a vision of a better society? What changes would you make? Should governments use the welfare system to encourage people to live within two parent families? At what age should a son or daughter be permitted to leave home? Should young people be allowed to buy contraceptives as soon as they reach puberty? Should the age of consent be the same for both gays and heterosexuals? Should gays and heterosexuals have the same right to join the armed forces? Should abortion be available to women on demand?

Questions for discussion: Immigrants: who are they? Issues with adaptation to a new country Why do people immigrate? (please enumerate the most frequent causes for immigrating) Major immigration itineraries: from where to where? Do the countries always have to accept immigrants? Immigrants of the 21st century Integration and competition

Questions for discussion: What images spring to mind when you hear the word ‘globalization’? What are the good and bad things about globalization? How long has the term ‘globalization’ been around? Do you think it’s possible to ignore globalization? How has globalization affected your life? Is globalization good for the world? What will globalization look like fifty years from now? Do you think globalization will make us all the same in the future? Which countries do you think like or hate globalization most? What concept do you think will come after globalization?

Questions for discussion: With the age comes the freedom!? (Open discussion) Two aspects of being adult - physically and psychologically. "Being adult" according to socially accepted vision Adults today and yesterday - is there any difference? Why do some people die "young" and others live "old"? Children who want to grow up faster. Older people need more attention and care - the art of being a good child!!!

Questions for discussion: Consumption and capitalism: do they go in lockstep? Syndrome of the "new merchandise" fetishism: symptoms? Products we consume most: from cars and electronic devices to clothing and food. Credit cards: pro and contra. Public commercials and advertising - how powerful are they? Young generations and Consumption - victims or beneficiaries? Adults and symbols of their status.