The English We Speak with me, Feifei...

Rob: ...and me, Rob.

Feifei: So, Rob, I have

a very simple question for you.

Rob: Yep?

Feifei: Why have you got enormous

whiskers glued to the side

of your face, and why

are you wearing a running vest?

Rob: Well Feifei, it's a new year - and

according to our Chinese friends,

it's the 'Year of the Rat'.

New Year, new resolutions - so I've

decided to join the rat race!

Feifei: You've decided to join the rat race?

You mean to get really

competitive at work and

concentrate on promotions and pay rises

at the expense of your free time?

Rob: That's right.

Feifei: But why?

Rob: Money!

Feifei: Right, well let's hear some

examples of this expression before

a little more explanation.

I'm going to quit the rat race. I earn all

this money but I never have

enough time to

spend it! It's just work, work, work!

People complain about the rat race, but if

you earn enough, you can retire at 50!

Nieves decided to quit the rat race

after she had a serious health scare.

She realised

that the money wasn't worth the stress.

Feifei: You're listening to The English We

Speak from BBC Learning English.

In this programme,

we're looking at the expression 'rat race'.

It's used to describe a way of life in which

people work very hard for a lot of money.

Rob: But there's no free time and it's very,

very competitive.

You heard in the examples,

we often hear the word 'quit' used

with 'rat race'. Quit the rat race.

Feifei: But you, Rob, have decided to join

it. You do know that you don't have to look

like a rat to join the rat race? And you

certainly don't have to wear a racing vest.

Rob: Just trying to make things clear

for our audience, Feifei!

Feifei: I do quite like

those whiskers, though.

Rob: (Squeaks)

Feifei: Bye!

Rob: Bye bye!