AEE 2656: Why Not Be More Spontaneous in English?

This is an All Ears English podcast, episode 2656. Why not be more spontaneous in English? welcome to the all ears english podcast downloaded more than 200 million times are you feeling stuck with your english we'll show you how to become fearless and fluent by focusing on connection not perfection with your american hosts lindsey mcmahon the english adventurer and michelle kaplan the new york radio girl coming to you from Colorado and New York City, USA.

And to get your transcripts delivered by email every week, go to allearsenglish.com forward slash subscribe. Are you someone who is up for anything? In today's episode, learn the true meaning of the phrase, why not? And find out how to use it to be open to spontaneous things in your life.

Have you ever met someone whose English wasn't perfect, but they sounded incredibly fluent? That's because fluency isn't about perfection. It's about flow. It's about expressing ideas clearly, responding naturally, and staying engaged in the conversation, and generally feeling connected.

If you're ready to move beyond accuracy and into true fluency, start by finding your current level. Take our free two minute fluency quiz today. Go to allearsenglish.com slash fluency score. That's allearsenglish.com slash F-L-U-E-N-C-Y-S-C-O-R-E.

Hey, Michelle, should we record three more episodes today? What do you think? Yeah, why not? Let's do it. We record a lot of this podcast. So why not, Michelle?

We do. Whether it's three, if it's six, at this point. What's the difference, right? Yeah, we just love all our single. We love being behind the mic here chatting with each other.

So Michelle, what are we getting into on the episode today? So today we are going to talk about what people mean when they say, why not? Right? So that's what I said to you when you said, should we record three more episodes today?

And I said, why not? Which seems a little bit like, did I mean yes? Did I mean no? Because when we say why not here, Lindsay, is it the typical way of asking, like, does it mean what we think of why not to mean?

Yeah. It depends on the context. It can mean – it can be a totally genuine yes. It can also be like, are you crazy? It can be sarcastic. It can be a lot of things, in my opinion.

What do you think, Michelle? Yeah. I mean, but I think typically in a textbook, our listeners have probably heard – Why not? And they think of, oh, can we do this?

No. Why not? Right? Asking why something can't be done. Oh, why can't it? Right? So that's kind of, I would say, like the traditional way. So we're teaching you that why not can actually be pretty versatile and fun.

Yes. Yeah, kind of playful. Is that what you mean by fun? Yeah, pretty playful. It's just not necessarily what you always see in your textbook. So guys, we are giving you the real English over here.

And just a different way that you can use this because Lindsay, when I told you what this episode was going to be about, you said, Oh, I say this a lot. I do. I feel like I do. Yeah.

In everyday life. So this is a place where your textbooks may have led you astray, right? Or may have given you the very literal definition. Right. We're going to show you how it comes out in culture and society and real life, right?

Real life English here. Yeah. And we're going to talk about why it's so natural and why it can really be great for connection. And even past this episode, we could continue talking about this for different contexts.

But let's give it a start today. And guys, make sure that you hit the follow button so that you never miss anything from Aller's English. We are here. How many episodes do we do a week, Lindsay?

We do five episodes a week. And guys, don't forget, we're also over on YouTube. If you want to watch this episode instead of listen to it, if you're more of a YouTube person, You could go over to YouTube and type in All Ears English Podcast and hit subscribe.

Or if you're an audio person, which is what I am, I'm more of an audio person, hit follow right there on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. All right? Yeah. Why not?

Why not just hit the follow button, guys? Okay. So, yeah. Why not? One of the ways that it can be used is in a certain way, at a certain time, it can basically mean an enthusiastic yes.

Okay. It's kind of like saying, well, why wouldn't we? Or there's no reason not to. Or of course we should, right? It's that same kind of sentiment, don't you think?

Yeah. And we can do a different episode another day on why wouldn't we? Why wouldn't you? I hear people using that construction a lot. But that could come another day.

So sometimes it's used when someone is suggesting something a little different maybe, right? Where it's a little out of the box. So you're saying, sure, I'm up for it. I'm up for anything, right?

Or it could also just be something basic, neutral, just a thing. Yeah. So let's show our listeners how this might sound with a couple little mini role plays. Yeah.

So should we stop for ice cream before we head back? Why not? I've been eating so much ice cream lately, Michelle. Did I tell you I did an ice cream making class?

No. Oh my gosh. We did this ice cream making class at a local creamery. Fun. And it was really fun. They showed us how to make the mix, what goes into it, and then you could put your own toppings in.

So you'd load up your own ice cream with toppings. But the problem is you left this class with like I think eight quarts or 10 quarts each of ice cream. Oh, my goodness. We have so much ice cream in our freezer.

And we can't, there's no way we can eat it all. Oh, my gosh. Wait, okay. I have to hear more. But I'll hear more another time. Of course, more, more. But I'm curious, is it all the same flavor?

Yeah. So they had themed nights. So the night that we went to was chocolate night. Oh, well, that's perfect for you. Yeah. Most of the more popular nights are vanilla nights.

I don't know why, but they are. I don't get that. Yeah. So yeah. So it was chocolate base. And then you could make your own kind of flavor with all the toppings they give you to put into your own ice cream.

So I just loaded mine up Ben and Jerry style, Michelle. I mean, I just loaded it up. I want to hear what's everything Reese's Pieces. There's Oreo, there's cookie dough, white chocolate chips.

I mean, really good stuff. Yeah. Oh my gosh. So were, so were they like, Oh, yeah. I know. I wish you could. So I feel like they probably said, oh, and you can add this.

And maybe you said, maybe you said to your partner, why not? Should we add this? Why not? Well, that's how I felt. I mean, they were sitting right in front of me.

Why wouldn't I add all those toppings? That's how I am. I am always even at a salad bar. Just put a little more. Why not? Let's just like that. That's a great use of why not, right?

It's like if your attitude is let's indulge, like let's just – I have this thing available at my disposal. There's this cup of peanut butter cups or whatever in your case, like really good cheese and you're going to put it on your salad bar, right? You're going to put it on the salad – at the salad bar. Yeah, yeah, exactly.

Exactly. So I love that one. All right, here's another one. Although we could just talk about ice cream. Okay. Should we just wear jeans to the party?

Why not? I mean, they didn't say anything about a dress code. Yeah, that's where I would default to as well. Would you consider inviting Kayla? Oh, why not?

She's super friendly. So it shows a sense of openness, openness to trying something new, something different, right? But you can also use it to report something that happened or even something that you think happened. For yourself.

So let's explain a little more. So here's an example. At first, I really didn't want to go out. I was already in my pajamas and so tired. But then I thought, why not live a little?

It ended up being a blast. Yes, yes. Yeah, it's rare to get out of pajamas and go out. But it truly is. So this is about, you know, a story that I'm telling about what was going in my mind.

Lindsay, do you hear people saying that a lot? Live a little. Live a little for sure. It's a good one. It's a good one. That's a bonus phrase for today.

Just encouraging yourself or encouraging someone else to carpe diem, as they say. Take advantage of life. Yes, exactly. Or what's another example? I didn't think he liked me, but then he asked me to go out to the movies.

I thought, why not? He's a nice guy and we have so much fun together. Yeah. So you're essentially rehashing your own inner thinking here. Right. Yeah.

It's really interesting here. Yeah. Start your gratis proof period on Shopify.com. So, Michelle, why is this good for connection? I mean, what is the vibe that comes off of us when we say, why not?

I think it's casual. It's kind of cool sounding. And also, yeah, it shows that openness to being maybe a little spontaneous. Maybe, you know, oh, I am getting out of my pajamas and into my clothes to go to this party.

Openness, yes. Yeah. And I think when people hear that, it's... it's endearing and makes you likable because it shows that, okay, this person is not stuck in their ways.

I mean, we did an episode just on episode 2650 about, you know, flat out nose. Right. And this is more, you know, we're talking more about the yeses here. Why not?

Why not? Right. Yes. I love it. It does show, it shows that the person's fun and that they, maybe you want to get to know them because they do fun things in life.

You're open to things. Right. Right. Right. Let's do a couple other things that you might hear. So one is might as well. And this is usually saying you should do something for some reason.

You should do something for some reason. Let's show our listeners in a role play here. Hey, want to grab dinner before the show? Hmm. Might as well. There are great restaurants around the theater.

So you're kind of saying like it would be convenient to do that because there are so many good restaurants here as opposed to wait until you get home and then there's nothing in the fridge, right? Yeah. Or if we just wait until, you know, just to get snacks at the theater and then there's, you know, we're just sitting eating M&Ms for dinner. Right, right.

And then you feel awful. Yeah. Yeah. Totally. Or let's do it. Now, let's do it is just when someone asks you if you want to do something and you're all in, right?

This is more typical or traditional, but it's also casual too. It's kind of casual, I think. I think so too. Should we pick up some takeout on the way home?

Let's do it. I really want to try that new sushi place. Okay. Yeah. So yeah, these just are all ways to say, yes, I'm open. You know, I'm not set. Nothing is set in stone.

Let's try this. Um, so I, I really like these and especially why not? Um, I, I have noticed myself using it more like I, I, I realized that I use it now since I planned this episode. Okay.

Use it a lot. Yeah. Interesting. Um, I mean, I think one of the key points here is I know that our listeners really want to become more spontaneous in their language, but a big part of that is mentality, right?

And these phrases help you to be spontaneous mentally speaking, like open to anything, which language might flow from there. You know, if you have that attitude, maybe your language also comes out spontaneously. So there you go. Interesting.

It's true. Yeah. All right. Should we do a role play? Yes. Here we are, friends, and we're at the beach. So what better time to be spontaneous, right?

Yes. All right. Okay. Here we go. Should we set up shop here? Yeah, let's do it. This is a great spot. Ooh, that guy is selling lemonade. Want some? Why not?

Nothing better on a hot day. Oh, look at those people playing volleyball. Should we ask to join? Oh, might as well. I love playing volleyball. Yeah. It can be contagious too.

When you know you're in the company of someone who is very much up for anything. I was going to say a yes person, but that means something totally different, doesn't it? It means something completely different. We could do that in a different episode.

Up for anything is a much better way. Then you also take on that attitude a little bit. yeah yeah you're you kind of encourage each other um and you're influenced by i mean of course we don't want to be influenced for negative things like that that goes into peer pressure and things like that right yeah that's different you're talking about fun light things yeah yeah like adding extra white chocolate chips to your ice yeah we're not talking about like robbing a store here guys i mean

Please don't do that. Oh, gosh. Let's do it. No, no, not like that. Okay. So I said, should we set up shop here? So, Lindsay, that's an interesting bonus for today.

What does that mean to set up shop? And I could see our listeners might have gotten confused because someone over there is selling lemonade. So are you actually talking about you're going to set up a lemonade stand too or what? Mm-hmm.

I'm talking about where we're going to put our towels, where we're going to put our stuff down, maybe get an umbrella. Yeah. So that's actually, I didn't catch that the first time, but it's really interesting. You're not, you're not selling anything.

You're not setting up a shop. Okay. But you are setting up your station, like your, like your home base for the day. Yeah. Because that's always what you do when you get to the beach, right?

You got to pick your spot. You got to put all your junk down. Yes. Yes, totally. It's like camping is similar. You got to make sure you're in the right spot, the right amount of shade, the right amount of sun, all this stuff.

Yeah. Should we go over here or should we, or there's too many people over here. Yeah. Yeah. There's always kind of a little like debate back and forth.

It's like, it's just the beach. Just, yeah. Put your stuff down. But yeah, I said, should we set up shop here? And you said, let's do it. This is a great spot.

And then you said, oh, that guy is selling lemonade. Want some? And you, and I said, why not? Right. And that means, yes, I want some. Why, why wouldn't I have lemonade?

And there's no reason not to. Exactly. And then you said, oh, look at those people playing volleyball. Should we ask to join? And I said, might as well.

I love playing volleyball. So it's convenient. It's right over here. I enjoy playing volleyball. Might as well. Might as well. All right, good. So we are going to have a good day at the beach here because we're clearly up for anything, Michelle.

I mean, exactly. We're going to have fun. Yeah. Guys, go over to 2643 of All Airs English. The warning signs were there. How to relate over early indications of a problem.

Kind of the polar opposite feeling of today's episode, right? Yeah, exactly. Very interesting to get the whole range of skills in English. Michelle, what's our takeaway today?

Yeah, takeaway is that I think that openness is kind of contagious. And this is just such a more unique way of just saying, yeah, sure. Yes. It's playful.

It's open. And, you know, sometimes maybe you think, oh, I don't, oh, I typically don't do this or I, but all right, why not? Right. And it can be fun.

And then that's sometimes what leads to the best experiences. Yeah. Yeah, it's kind of a chance to be a new version of yourself in a way, right? These phrases give you that way to find a new version of yourself, even if it's just for a day, because you're around someone who is that way, or you try it on for size and see if it fits, right?

An attitude in life. Interesting. Yeah, exactly. All right. Well, I'm glad we talked about this today. Should we jump off the mic? Why not, Michelle? Why not?

Let's jump off. There we go. You set me up. You set me up. I set you up. I set you up. All right. Well, I'll see you in the next one, Michelle. Take care.

All right. Bye, Lindsay. Bye. See you next time. Start your gratis proof period on shopify.com.