Kalpana’s move to KathmanduCEFR A2
29 Dec 2023
Adapted from Nepali Times, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by sippakorn yamkasikorn, Unsplash
Kalpana married and moved from a rural town to Kathmandu. Before she left, she learned beauty skills such as threading eyebrows, waxing and giving facials because friends said these skills would help in the city.
Now she works at a beauty parlour from 10–5 every day. She had expected to meet other women and share food there. The owner added a sign for massage and trained the women for new services. Kalpana sometimes works with male clients and once left the room when a man asked for an inappropriate service.
She worries about her husband’s reaction and says her next steps depend on money and safety.
Difficult words
- rural — in or from the countryside, not the city
- parlour — shop or room for hair and beauty servicesbeauty parlour
- thread — remove hair using a thin cotton threadthreading
- wax — use warm wax to remove hairwaxing
- facial — treatment for the face to clean or smooth skinfacials
- inappropriate — not suitable or proper for that time or place
- depend — need money or safety to decide the next step
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How would you feel working with male clients? Why?
- What would you do if a client asked for an inappropriate service?
- How do money and safety help you decide about work?
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