Shadowing Practice: B1 English Listening Practice - Tipping - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

B1
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Hey everybody!
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Welcome to this B1 English listening practice video.
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You can use this video to practice your listening and comprehension as I speak.
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Before we start, remember to subscribe to the channel, click on the bell, and follow us on Instagram.
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You ready?
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So today, I'm going to talk about tipping.
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This is a great topic to discuss with people from different countries, because each country has its own attitudes and customs when it comes to this subject.
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So first of all, what is tipping?
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Tipping is when you give a little bit of extra money to a person who does some service for you.
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This money isn't included in the official cost of the service.
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It's money that you give on top of that.
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So, who do we give tips to, and how do we calculate the correct sum of money to give?
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Well, that depends 100% on where you live.
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I'm going to focus mainly on tipping in America, since that's the country that I'm from.
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Tipping in America is often a stressful process for foreigners who are visiting the country.
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The reason for this is that the US has a tipping culture that's unparalleled anywhere else.
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No other country treats this subject the way that America does.
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Let's talk about restaurants in the US, which is the primary place where people tip.
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In the past, like when I was a kid, it was standard practice to leave 15% gratuity.
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Gratuity by the way is a fancy word for tip.
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So most people left 15% gratuity when they ate at a normal restaurant.
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If the service was exceptional, then maybe you'd give a little more, but if the service was normal, then 15% was the standard.
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Now fast forward to today, and 15% is barely even acceptable at many places.
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Sometimes when you pay by card in certain establishments, you'll have to use a touch screen to choose the amount that you want to tip and then sign it.
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Well sometimes this screen doesn't even give you the initial option to tip 15%.
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It'll say 18%, 20%, and 22% or something like that.
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If you wanna choose a different amount, then you'll have to select that option and type in the amount.
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They pressure you into tipping at least 18%.
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I think this is crazy.
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I think 15% is perfectly fair and we shouldn't feel bullied into giving more.
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But it seems like most of the country is happy to fork over 18% no matter how the service was
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and so 18% has become the new norm.
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In other countries most people do not tip 18%.
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In Mexico for instance tipping 10% is normal and in some countries tipping at restaurants isn't even a big thing.
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But in the U.S
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if you choose not to leave a tip the waiter will come up to you and ask you what the matter is.
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It's simply unacceptable not to leave a tip even if this service was below average.
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It might not be a law but it sure feels like one.
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Aside from restaurants, it's also common for Americans to leave tips for other services.
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If you get your haircut, you'd better leave a tip for the barber.
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When I get my haircut in Mexico, I always leave a tip and the barber looks really grateful because that's not customary for most Mexicans.
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How about you?
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Do you tip your barber?
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Another person you need to tip is the bellhop or the hotel porter.
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This is the guy that helps you with your luggage when you're checking in and out of a hotel.
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And one other hotel worker that Americans tip is the maid.
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Some non-Americans might be surprised to hear this, but it's true.
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Americans usually leave a tip for the housekeeper at the end of their stay at a hotel.
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We put the money on the corner of the table in our hotel room before we check out.
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As you can see, Americans tip like crazy.
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Some people really like this type of culture and think it's great that these workers receive big tips.
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Other people think that there are some inconsistencies when it comes to tipping in the U.S.
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Like, for example, if we tip waiters at restaurants, why shouldn't we tip the cashier at McDonald's?
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Regardless of how you feel about tipping, one thing's for sure.
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If you travel to the US, you're going to have to factor tips into your travel budget.
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Okay, now I'm going to ask you three questions about today's video to check your comprehension.
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Write your answers in a comment down below.
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Number one, what's another word we can use for tip?
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Number two, what's one type of worker besides waiters that Americans leave tips for?
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And number three, where do we leave the money when we tip maids at hotels?
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Alright, before we go, remember to subscribe to the channel, click on the bell, and follow us on Instagram for more English tips and lessons.
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I'll see you next time.

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Context & Background

In this B1 English listening practice video, the speaker discusses the cultural nuances of tipping in various countries, especially focusing on the customs in the United States. This topic serves as a fascinating entry point into American culture, where tipping is not merely an act of gratitude, but an expected norm. Understanding these customs can greatly enhance your comprehension and communication skills, especially if you plan to travel or interact with American speakers. By engaging with this material, learners can utilize it for effective English speaking practice and cultural insights.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • What is tipping? - A foundational question that can open discussions about service culture.
  • Gratuity is a fancy word for tip. - This phrase explains a term commonly used in the context of tipping.
  • Service was exceptional. - A phrase to express satisfaction with service, often leading to a higher tip.
  • Tip your barber. - An example of a common service where tipping is expected, which may differ across cultures.
  • Leave a tip for the housekeeper. - Highlighting another scenario where tipping is customary in the U.S.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively tackle the subject of tipping and improve your English skills through this video, follow these shadowing steps:

  1. Watch the video once without distraction to get an overall understanding of the content discussed.
  2. Listen attentively to the first segment about tipping while reading along with the transcript. This will help you connect spoken words with their written forms.
  3. Pause after each phrase and repeat aloud. Focus on imitating the speaker’s intonation and pronunciation to improve English pronunciation effectively.
  4. Use a shadowing site or a practice partner. Repeat the phrases while the video plays in the background to reinforce your learning and gain confidence in spontaneous speaking.
  5. Reflect on the content by discussing your own tipping experiences in English. This will not only enhance your vocabulary but also provide context for real-life application, enhancing your English speaking practice.

By incorporating these steps, you can make the most out of your listening practice while learning about cultural norms and improving your language skills through immersive techniques. Use this opportunity to engage in shadow speech and integrate your knowledge into daily conversations.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

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