– English Lyrics

Lyrics & Translation

[English]

Passive aggressive neighbor complaint.

Hi, I'm your neighbor. You know, I'm I'm

from above. Sometimes like the doors are

quite loud. Gosh, I'm so sorry. Really?

It's really no problem at all. Yeah.

Yeah, it won't. I'm I'll try to remember

to keep it down. You have a great day.

Fabulous. Thank you so much. Bye. Bye.

This is so awkward and it's happened to

me on countless occasions. Oh, great. I

did it again and no one mentioned

anything but everyone remembers.

Everyone will remember just constantly

after I mean that is more awkward.

You got cheese. Oh, what cheese is your

favorite? Bri

and I was like okay then. Thank you so

much. Lovely.

Thank you. I'll just go to the bathroom

and get a drink myself already. That's

even worse than being around Ducka.

Excuse me. Sorry. Um, do you speak

English? No, I don't. Sorry.

[Music]

English. Do you speak it? Yes. English.

English. Do you English? English. Do you

speak it? Ha. Welcome to the Easy

English podcast. Easy. How's it going?

It's going. It's going very good. That's

a very British response. So, today uh I

wanted to like in the last video

episode, test you on your British

cultural knowledge. Oh dear.

Uh so for those of you who are listening

um you can also if you'd like watch this

podcast on YouTube on our YouTube

channel. So head over there to watch us

debate some British culture topics. So

what I'm going to do is I'm going to

propose a scenario to you and maybe give

you some options about what you could

possibly do or you can you can only go

wrong. Yeah, exactly. You can volunteer

your own your own response if you like

as well. We'll see. That was last time

already. Really good. Yeah. Yeah.

Because the answers are maybe not what

you might expect. Okay.

Okay. I'm ready. So, this one I would

like to call the passive aggressive

neighbor

complaint. Passive aggressive neighbor

complaint. So, the scenario is you're in

your flat and you keep hearing that your

neighbor keeps slamming their doors very

loudly throughout the day, throughout

the night, disturbing your Sundays, and

disturbing your sleep pattern. Okay.

What not nice do you do in Britain?

What's the most appropriate way to act?

You never say anything.

Yeah. Perfect. Next question. Really?

No. No. I mean there is no real answer

for this but I just want to know what

you would do then I would mostly people

don't say anything they just suffer.

Exactly. Yeah. And probably would maybe

speak to their friends, family, everyone

else apart from the neighbor. Silent

suffering. Exactly. There's almost a

sadistic enjoyment of um suffering. Then

you can complain more to other people.

Yeah. Okay. But let's say you've really

hit a point. And we we need to talk.

Okay. Exactly. How would you go about

doing it? Well, I would I would go

there. I would knock on the door. Put on

my biggest smile. Okay. Do it now.

Oh, hia. How are you? I'm fine, thanks.

A Isn't that a beautiful day today? Have

you been out in the sun already? It's

gorgeous.

Are you the television license lady?

Hey, I'm your neighbor. You know, I'm

I'm from above. How long have you been

living there? Oh, yeah. Already for 10

years.

Oh, really? Yeah. Oh. Oh, it's so so

good to to speak, you know, have a talk.

How how are you today? Everything good?

How are the children?

Fine. I don't have children. Oh, that

was the other neighbor.

Um, you know, I'm I'm very sure you

don't do this on purpose or don't even

notice and it's really no problem at

all. Yeah. But just because you know I

get more and more tired and I have to

work very early in the morning sometimes

like the doors are quite loud. So I just

wanted to ask maybe you could try to not

like like take a notch down and maybe

just Oh gosh, I'm so sorry. Really? It's

really no problem at all. Oh, really?

Okay. Yeah. It's just, you know,

sometimes I get a bit British people say

this often. No problem at all. But why

are you there? Yeah. Yeah.

Exactly. I'm so sorry. Like I just

sometimes get a bit angry, you know,

watching the football. Oh. Oh, I get it.

Did you watch blah blah blah this

weekend? Yeah.

Y Oh, what a game. Blah blah blah blah

blah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Completely

get it. Completely get it. Just wanted

to We just want to check in also.

thought I can like take this chance to

get to know you better. Say hello to see

each other in the hallway. Get a coffee

sometime. Would be amazing to get a

coffee sometime. Okay. Okay. Thank you

so much. Have a lovely day. Just let me

know next time. I'm really loud.

Anytime. Just come down, knock on my

door, and tell me. I'm really sorry. I'm

I'm I'm sure it doesn't happen again.

Okay. Yeah. Yeah, it won't. I'm I'll try

to remember to keep it down. You have a

great day. Fabulous. Thank you so much.

Bye. Bye.

Was I doing this correctly? That was

really good. Really good. Some of the

options were to like write a letter uh

or to like go in a bit more aggressively

and be direct, but that was the perfect

balance between directness and

avoidance. I've learned a lot doing the

past years. Really good. I'm

impressed. Okay. Ah, here we go. Here's

this is a good one actually. Mhm. Very

specific.

Um you are heading towards the pub and

uh just by chance a stranger also gets

to the door at the same time as you. Oh

yeah. Okay. And you are stuck in this

what would feel like an infinite cycle

of oh you no you you first. Mhm. How do

you break this cycle of after use?

you've not quite got to the door, but

you know you're going to

or saying like, "Well, oh, I forgot

something. I actually wanted to nip in

the store before going to the park." You

go, "Bye-bye." Wow. A white lie. A white

lie. And then maybe get something from

the store. If there's a store close by

anyway, if you're in a little village

and there's no store, what do you do

then? Um, it's really good. So,

actually, I can um tell a little story I

just recently had in the supermarket in

England. Um, oh yeah, where this

happened with

um I don't know if it was well it was a

man that was already like I would say 30

years older than me or so and so we did

this back and forth back and forth

really it can go

on I was like no you come you know at

one point you already get annoyed

like want to be polite but we cannot do

this fact and then he said no you come I

want I really want to be more of a

gentleman. And then I was like, well,

okay then. Mhm. Okay. Chivalry won in

the end. Yeah. Chivalry. Chivalry. Like

the man laying down his coat over the

puddle to protect the PR fair maiden.

I don't know. He was from a generation

where it's he wanted to, you know, hold

the door open for the lady. Mhm. Which

is Do you mind

shiverous

approaches? Bit old school. Yeah. I

think I think everyone should be like

this to everyone, right? H

whatever.

Yeah. I'm not sure chivalry applies to

only men. Probably not. I find it I find

it bit well anyway outdated I would say

but he said that was a very nice smile

and I was like okay then thank you so

much lovely

thank you

I was just I was just happy that okay

this is a final sentence now it's over I

can move on okay that's that's actually

something that is very a very good hint

um for people coming to the UK UK or

just moved to the UK or so cuz that

happens often. Yeah. Yeah. Really you

can get stuck in like a groundhog day

loop just constantly

after usually the best way to do it

actually is a bit more passive

aggressive

semiirect. No, you go. No, but like hand

gestures are a big thing then. And even

like or you going to the

door after you like the first person who

grabs the door usually is the one then

as opposed to grabbing it and going in

yourself and then holding it open for

them afterwards. You'd usually be like

let's finish this but in a nice way but

still quite passive. Mhm. Mhm. Okay.

That's number two. Good. Oh, here's my

favorite one. This is so awkward and

it's happened to me on countless

occasions and it's very difficult to

know what to do and it probably happens

in Germany, but there's probably a more

direct intervention at some point.

You're with a friend. Let's say it's not

a very good friend, maybe just like an

acquaintance that you've met a few

times, okay? And you bump into them. How

are you doing? Am I with them or No, you

just bump into them. Sorry. And oh, oh,

you catch up. Oh, cool. And then you get

to that point where the conversation

wraps up. Oh, yeah. Okay, cool. Well, um

maybe I'll see you see you around. See

you next week or something. Okay, cool.

And then you both are then are very

aware that you're both going in the same

direction.

Oh, I now I would on purpose go another

way. You would purposefully go the wrong

direction. For how far? Well, only if

it's awkward. Only if Well, is it an

acquaintance or is it someone that I

don't really like? That sounds more like

it. M no, it's somewhere where you've

you don't know them so well and you've

done all of the this is my life, this is

what's happened, how's yours, and then

that's it. The there's no more

conversation after that. If there was

there can't be anymore. Well, either you

go on walking with that person and ask,

"Oh, what direction you going? Where are

you going?" No, no, you don't. You It

just happens that you start walking then

you see and then you Yeah. Yeah. And

then you can say like, well, oh, same

direction. What's your plan? Where are

you going? Or I would probably just get

something out like my phone and like

quickly look phone. Look for a message.

Look for the way, check my emails

quickly because I'm waiting for

something to go to my next do it or

you're just pretending to look through

something. Well, there's some always

something going on with the phone, isn't

there? Oh,

nah. Hello. I don't like to. No, mom.

I'm not hungry.

No, I'm not faking. You can always look

on your phone. There's always something,

right? Along with work and stuff. So, so

I would just check my phone probably,

wait 2 minutes or 1 minute and then just

go. Two good options. That's two very

good options. My option that I usually

go for is I don't go in the wrong

direction. The foam one seems

obvious. Mine is

dropping the milk. No, mine is go for an

extreme speed. Either extremely slow and

let them go ahead of you and you're

still going the right direction or go

extremely fast, but you have to be very

aware that you're going to have to keep

up that pace until they're out. They

also need to run because they're late or

so. Then you both run next to each

other. I mean, that is more awkward.

You both decided to go for the extreme

pace one. Yeah. And then Well, and then

the phone whilst running.

Yeah. Then falling over. Then you have

the whole thing that someone has to call

an ambulance and and now you're best

friends.

There you go. That's how you make

friends. But this is a very common

thing. And it's super awkward for Brits.

Brits are terrified of this

happening. So much so that they might

even say, "Oh, where are you going?" And

then go the other one. No. No. But like

just so they know this situation won't

happen.

Like if I was going to the shops, I had

my shopping bag and then I spoke to

someone and they also had shopping bags

and they said, "Oh, oh, are you going to

the shop as well?" after we finished and

there's nothing left to say. I'd be

like, "No, no, I'm just going home just

with shopping bags in my

hand." Or I would be like, "Uh, yeah,

but I'm going to the other one." But I

wouldn't go to the other one. I'd go the

long way around to the same shop and

hope that they've left the shop as I'm

going in. So, also like how do you stop

the talk if you're in the supermarket,

for example? Oh, that's even worse. How

do Well, you can always do this right

thing, right? Obviously, you're not

sitting, but you can always like, right,

I really have to, right? Get get going.

Yeah, that's good. Family's waiting for

lunch, right? Is also the sign of the

conversation is coming to an end or

over. Yeah, I thought you I thought you

were saying I thought you were saying

you speak to them and then you see them

again in the supermarket and there's no

more conversation left to have. Oh, hi

again. Oh god, you again. Oh god, that

cheese. So, what cheese is your

favorite? Bri.

Bree is a good one, right? But not

always.

Okay, that's really good. What do you

make for dinner? Yeah, exactly. Yeah.

Oh, yeah. You know, you can't eat them

raw. They're poisonous. Did you know

that? Is that true?

Okay, go on.

[Music]

Okay, here's an interesting one.

So you um see someone again who's maybe

like somewhere between stranger,

acquaintance in that kind of outside the

frame. Oh dear. All those weird in

between people. This is where the

awkwardnesses lie. Mhm. And um they say

to you, "Oh, you look nice today." And

you get the feeling it might be a bit

like, "Oh, you look a bit rough." I

thought flirty. Like ironic. Oh yeah.

Oh. What do you do? Do you pretend

knowing that it felt backhanded? Do you

just think, "No, I'm just going to think

that they're being completely honest."

Do you go direct at them and say, "Oh,

what do you mean?" Or do you just No, I

never. What do you mean? I would just

either say, "Oh, thank you. You, too."

But would you say it back in a more also

in an ironic way just in case? No. Or I

would just or you even if you're aware

that it might not have it might not be a

compliment maybe you go for like oh yeah

yeah just got this jacket new is cool in

it

like go forward straight forward

yeah or just like I feel very good today

that must you must see that that's

pretty good huh what about would you I

would think about returning the same

thing back in the Same manner manif

aggressive. Exactly. But Brits are not

passive aggressive. Ah, you too.

Do you think not laughing? Do you think

Brits are passive aggressive? Yeah,

absolutely.

We have a studio in the basement and

that's the to someone's toilet. I think

to the toilet. Okay, here comes a good

one. Y you're in the pub with work

colleagues. You turn up and someone

stands up. Hey guys, what would you

like?

You say, "Oh, thank you. I would take a

whatever." Guinness yoga bomb. Thank you

very much.

And they get it for you. And then the

next person gets another round in.

That's the word. Gets a round in. And

then

you need to leave. M you're the third

and there's still four other people that

haven't bought around in and you have to

leave. Mhm. What do you do? You have to

leave in like 10 minutes, which is kind

of around.

How quickly do you drink your beer?

Well, um if I still fancy a drink, then

I would quickly get one cuz then then

I'm out of it. Otherwise, or do I still

get all the other

drinks? I think I would just say I have

to leave soon. Cheers. Cheers for the

drinks. Next time it's my round.

Okay. But what what if Okay, that's

good. And what if someone else gets up

and wants to get in another round, but

you know, you probably won't finish your

beer in time, like you said. I know.

Well, then I say yeah, skip me. Thanks.

I have to leave soon. But you would say

to people, next time, next time it's

it's on me. Very good. And then it would

never be on me, you know. Of course. And

then No, no, those things are really

important. The next time you get the

first round. Yeah. So that it's not the

same story again. She always leaves

after two rounds. There are people that

do that. I know people that do that. I

actually also know people that do that.

Like round

dippers. Round duckers.

Round ducker. Yeah. Really? And you can

do this and you will probably think

like, "Oh great, I did it again." and no

one mention anything. Everyone

remembers. Everyone will remember.

They'll come and they'll and then if

they were the one of the three people

that got the round the first that first

night, they will probably not they'll

wait around for someone else to say,

"Okay, what's everyone having, but not

for long cuz they don't want to make it

awkward, but they will stay a bit quiet

at the beginning." Oh god. And then at

one point people know know it or have

experienced it so often with this person

that everyone no one gets around and

everyone was just sitting around like

and there's that one person and then

eventually I was like right what do you

want then and then we were like but then

I would just get a I would just go to

the bathroom and get a drink myself

already but ah I was just at the Lou

anyway just got a drink. That's even

worse than being around Ducka.

Yeah, but if I always did the rounds,

then I just do that and that person

That's even worse. I mean, it will never

get to that point where someone won't

get around in. But you could sit there

for an hour and then everyone's just

right, let's go home. What a lovely

evening in passive aggressive or waiting

for the next person to be like, "Why

don't you have drinks yet? Should I get

one?" Yeah. Great. Thank god.

That was really good. Wow. you've

answered all of these really well. So,

um yeah, I wanted to do another one, but

unfortunately we've run out of time. Uh

however, if you want to listen to the

last one, then you can by becoming an

Easy English podcast member, which gets

you the after show where you'll get to

hear the last uh scenario and maybe some

more chitchat. Uh you'll also get the

interactive transcript for this podcast,

which you can probably see here. It's a

lifetime translator tool basically. So

you can follow the podcast as we're

speaking on your mobile phone or on your

laptop and as you click on each and

every word it will translate it into

your language of choice. So go get that

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Join us. Yeah. You can also join us on

our Discord server then. Oh yeah. And

chat with us daily. And that's it then.

See you next time. Thanks for joining

us. Tahra tah.

[Music]

Hello, I am

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
passive /ˈpæsɪv/ B2	adjective - accepting or allowing what happens or what others do, without active response or resistance.
aggressive /əˈɡresɪv/ B1	adjective - ready or likely to attack or confront; characterized by or resulting from aggression.
neighbor /ˈneɪbər/ A2	noun - a person who lives near another.
complaint /kəmˈpleɪnt/ B1	noun - an expression of dissatisfaction or annoyance about something.
awkward /ˈɔːkwərd/ B2	adjective - causing difficulty; hard to do or deal with.
countless /ˈkaʊntləs/ C1	adjective - too many to be counted.
remember /rɪˈmembər/ A2	verb - recall to the mind.
favorite /ˈfeɪvərɪt/ A2	adjective - most liked or enjoyed.
bathroom /ˈbæθruːm/ A2	noun - a room containing a toilet and usually a bath.
speak /spiːk/ A2	verb - say something.
cultural /ˈkʌltʃərəl/ B2	adjective - relating to the ideas, customs, and social behaviour of a society.
knowledge /ˈnɒlɪdʒ/ B2	noun - facts, information, and skills acquired through experience or education.
debate /dɪˈbeɪt/ B2	verb - a formal discussion on a particular topic in which opposing arguments are put forward.
scenario /sɪˈnɑːriəʊ/ B2	noun - a projected sequence of events.
appropriate /əˈprəʊpriət/ B1	adjective - suitable or proper in the circumstances.
suffer /ˈsʌfər/ B1	verb - experience or be subjected to something bad or unpleasant.
silent /ˈsaɪlənt/ A2	adjective - not making or accompanied by any sound.

Key Grammar Structures

• Hi, I'm your neighbor. You know, I'm I'm from above.

  ➔ Use of 'I'm' as a contraction of 'I am'. Tag question 'You know' for engagement.

  ➔ The speaker introduces themselves and their location, using a casual tone. The repetition of 'I'm' is slightly awkward, mirroring real-life hesitation. The tag question 'You know' attempts to establish common ground.

• Gosh, I'm so sorry. Really?

  ➔ Interjection 'Gosh' expressing surprise/mild annoyance. Use of 'so' as an intensifier. Rhetorical question 'Really?' expressing disbelief.

  ➔ The neighbor's apology feels insincere, highlighted by the 'Gosh' and the questioning 'Really?'. This demonstrates passive-aggressive behavior.

• It's really no problem at all. Yeah.

  ➔ Use of 'really' as an intensifier. 'At all' emphasizes the lack of a problem. Filler word 'Yeah' for affirmation.

  ➔ This response is overly polite and dismissive, a common British trait. The 'Yeah' is a minimal response, indicating a desire to end the conversation.

• You have a great day. Fabulous. Thank you so much. Bye. Bye.

  ➔ Use of conventional closings ('Have a great day', 'Bye'). Exclamatory 'Fabulous' expressing enthusiasm (potentially insincere).

  ➔ The rapid exchange of polite phrases is a way to quickly end the awkward interaction. The 'Fabulous' feels forced and insincere.