Oct 22, 2014 10:08
9 yrs ago
English term
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Native in: English 
Works in: German to English, French to English, Spanish to English, and 4 more.
self-contained
Non-PRO
English
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General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
I hope this isn't too daft a question, but I'm having a bit of a problem trying to explain to a foreigner what "self-contained" means in the following, taken from a Pre-Intermediate English course book:
If you are late boarding and have your choice of middle seats, go for the one up front near the exit.
Check out the aisle and window passengers. Do they look like they will be self-contained and give you plenty of room? Observe their body language and trust your instincts.
Capture as much personal space as you can. Dominate the two armrests. ......
It must mean that they keep to themselves and don't disturb you as a middle-seat passenger, but am I missing something? Would be grateful for clarification.
If you are late boarding and have your choice of middle seats, go for the one up front near the exit.
Check out the aisle and window passengers. Do they look like they will be self-contained and give you plenty of room? Observe their body language and trust your instincts.
Capture as much personal space as you can. Dominate the two armrests. ......
It must mean that they keep to themselves and don't disturb you as a middle-seat passenger, but am I missing something? Would be grateful for clarification.
Responses
| 4 +4 | do not invade the personal space of their neighbours |
Maria Fokin
|
Responses
+4
20 mins
Maria Fokin
Italy
Italy
Native in English
&
English
Specializes in field
Italy
MS Geology
Native in: English , Russian
Works in: Russian to English, Italian to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
8
Selected
do not invade the personal space of their neighbours
keep their elbows and feet in the space deliminated by their seat
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Jack Doughty
38 mins
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Thank you, Jack!
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| agree |
Charles Davis
1 hr
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Thank you, Charles!
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| agree |
acetran
6 hrs
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Thank you!
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| agree |
AllegroTrans
: compact beings?
1 day 12 hrs
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said like that it would imply density to me rather then containment... thank you!
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks a lot - that's basically what I was attempting to explain to this person, but I'll have another try ...."
Discussion
1) We are talking about a passenger in the middle seat... and you can be just as easily engaged in conversation regardless of which seat you occupy.
2) The passenger is being advised to capture personals space and dominate armrests.