自転車

In Britain, cyclists must use the road along with other vehicles. Cycling on a footpath or in a pedestrian zone is illegal and the police will stop cyclists.

No cycling sign (UK)

Many roads have a cycle lane to make cycling safer. A white or yellow line-drawing marks the cycle lane.

Cycle lane (UK)

Cycle lane sign (UK)

Owning a bicycle in Britain:

• In Britain, we are allowed to ride a bicycle after drinking alcohol.
• We do not need to register ownership.
• Some trains have a bicycle section.

住宅

Here are some differences between Japanese and British homes.

In Japan, front doors open outwards but in Britain, front doors usually open inwards.

In Japan, the washing machine is usually in the washroom (attached to the bathroom) but in Britain, the washing machine is usually in the kitchen or utility room.

In a Japanese house, the bathroom is usually downstairs but in a British house, the bathroom is usually upstairs. Many years ago, bathrooms were downstairs in British houses and toilets were in a small room outside.

無精ひげ

There is another way to describe stubble:

• 5 o'clock shadow

This expression describes stubble that appears on a man's face late afternoon despite shaving in the morning.

5 o'clock shadow is a noun-phrase.

Example:

• Your 5 o'clock shadow is terrible. You should buy a new razor.
• My facial hair grows very quickly so I always get a 5 o'clock shadow.

Back in the 1980s, designer stubble was fashionable. The pop singer George Michael was famous for his designer stubble.

迷信

Superstition

There are many superstitions but not everyone is superstitious.

Here are some common superstitions in Britain:

• If you break a mirror, you'll have seven years of bad luck.
• If you spill salt, you must throw some over your left shoulder using your right hand.
• A black cat crossing your path is bad luck.
• Walking under a ladder is bad luck.
• Opening an umbrella indoors is bad luck.
• Seven (7) is a lucky number.
• Thirteen (13) is an unlucky number.
• Friday 13th (any month) is an unlucky day.

Some people carry a lucky charm or talisman. A popular lucky charm is a rabbit's foot.

Some people believe a horseshoe is lucky and will protect buildings and ships. We can sometimes see a horseshoe on the front door or above the front door of a building.

良かった！

Idiom:

• That's music to my ears.

Meaning:

• That's good news!
• I'm pleased to hear that.

We use this idiom when the good news affects us directly.

Example:

Kenta: "We are getting a pay rise."

Yoichi: "That's music to my ears."