It's always great to be here at the Yoyo Club.
This video is in Mandarin, and I found it from one of my favorite shows. It's a very interesting story, and my friends and family have also watched it and had some discussions about it. So, I decided to share this non-English video, hoping that everyone can gain something from it as well.
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Guess Who(誰來晚餐) Aside From Money, I’ve Got Everything
In an Asian society obsessed with wealth and success, one family in Taiwan’s Jinshan dares to live on their own terms and has chosen a different path. A-wei, a 36-year-old ceramics factory worker and emerging ceramicist, and his wife A-xuan, a 37-year-old handmade soap entrepreneur, have crafted a cozy, minimalist home on a modest budget. These seekers of simple living have rejected the rat race and the endless chase for fortune, instead embracing a life of low desires and true contentment. In this episode, we meet A-wei, A-xuan, and their teenage daughter A-tong as they face the everyday challenges and unexpected rewards of living simply. What serendipitous encounter brought their paths together? Why did a once-cherished dream spiral into a regretful family saga? And how did A-wei's bitter childhood experiences nourish the soil for a sweet family home? Let’s dive in and find out!
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Session One
1. Don’t overthink it — do you like or admire this kind of lifestyle?
In a society where wealth and success are often the ultimate goals, how do you feel about A-wei and his family’s decision to live simply and contentedly? Does it sound peaceful, challenging, or maybe a little strange to you?
2. A-wei and A-xuan have chosen a minimalist life, where their income is just enough to cover their monthly expenses. They seem calm and not anxious about it. In a society that often values the pursuit of wealth and success, do you think their attitude toward money is practical or idealistic?
Why do you think they reject the rat race? How might this choice challenge or fit with mainstream ideas about happiness and security?
3. A-wei says he already has everything he wants — “except money.” This reflects his personal definition of what it means to be "rich."
How would you define being rich or having enough, based on your own culture or experience? Is it only about money, or does it involve something deeper?
Session Two
4. How do you think early financial struggles shape a person’s views on money and life priorities?
Have you or someone you know experienced something similar? How might these early experiences impact decisions about work, family, and life goals?
5. A-wei’s family lives in Jinshan(金山), a quiet place by the mountains and the sea. How do you think where someone lives affects their quality of life and values?
What do you think about the idea of living in a place like Jinshan? How might the natural environment influence the family’s lifestyle and mindset?
6. From a teenager’s perspective — like A-wei’s daughter, A-tong — her parents have chosen a lifestyle that’s very different from most people’s. They prefer simplicity and low desires. How do you think A-tong feels about this lifestyle?
Does she admire her parents' choices, or does it make her feel out of place compared to her friends?
7. Still considering A-tong’s perspective — in a society where wealth and success are highly valued, but her family doesn’t focus on these things — how do you think she feels?
If you were in her shoes, how would you feel about her family’s approach to life? Would it make you feel proud, different, or maybe confused?
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Wrap-Up & Takeaway
These questions are for personal reflection on the key takeaways from today's meeting and group conversation.
After hearing everyone’s thoughts today, has your opinion about A-wei’s lifestyle changed? Why or why not? What’s one thing you’ve realized about your own attitude toward money, success, or happiness during this discussion? If you could take one aspect of A-wei’s lifestyle and apply it to your own life, what would it be?*Special thanks to ChatGPT for refining my wording.*
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Agenda:
7:00 ~ 7:10pm Opening Remarks / Newcomer’s Self-introduction / Grouping
(Session I)
7:10 ~ 7:45pm Discussion Session (35 mins)
7:45 ~ 8:00pm Summarization (15 mins)
8:00 ~ 8:05pm Regrouping / Instruction Giving / Taking a 5 Minutes Break (Intermission)
(Session II)
8:05 ~ 8:40pm Discussion Session (35 mins)
8:40 ~ 8:55pm Summarization (15 mins)
8:55 ~ 9:00pm Concluding Remarks / Announcements
Meeting Date: As shown on the Subject Line
Meeting Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Meeting Venue: 丹堤咖啡 Dante Coffee (Minimum Order $85)
Address: 台北市濟南路三段25號[MAP]-捷運忠孝新生站3號出口步行3分鐘
Important Notes:
1. We suggest that participants read the articles and think about the questions in advance.
2. Newcomers should prepare a two-to-three-minute self-introduction in English to deliver when called upon by the host before the start of the discussion.
3. We welcome newcomers and other guests to attend the meetings and join the discussion freely for three times. After that, we hope you will consider becoming a YoYo English Club member. We charge a NT$1000 lifetime membership fee, or NT$500 for students.
