Deciding and choosing

Choices, opportunities, advice

• Tim: I’m going to have to make a choice soon about next year. I’ve been given the chance of going on a six-month expedition to South America and I’ve been offered a job in a bookshop here.
• Laura: Wow! South America! That sounds like the opportunity of a lifetime! How could you say no?
• Tim: Well, believe it or not, I don’t have a burning desire to see the world, I’d much prefer just to stay at home. Anyway, I’m going to consider all the options before I decide.
• Laura: Well, I know you never take my advice but I would strongly advise you to think of the future. Overseas experience is much more useful than working in your home town. You’re lucky to have a choice, a lot of people stay at home because they have no option.
• Tim: I know, I know, but it’s a tough choice. You wouldn’t understand.
• Laura: Well, I think you’re just taking the soft option if you choose the bookshop. I can’t believe you’re going to pass up the opportunity of a trip to South America.
• Tim: Well, we all face difficult choices now and then.
• Laura: Difficult! You’re mad! Look, just don’t reject South America out of hand. Promise me you’ll think about it.
• Tim: Yes, yes, I already said I’m going to weigh up the options and come to a decision.