2. Reading, Task 2 - Selfie sticks

 

 

Selfies, (0) J are nothing new. But until recently, if you wanted a picture of yourself with a landmark in the background, (1) . Now, though, gadgets called selfie sticks make it easy. Fans say these sticks, (2) , are very convenient. No more bothering passers-by to take pictures. No more worrying about strangers taking bad shots.

However, critics have arguments against selfie sticks. They say that these rods (3) . They even have a sarcastic name for them: narcissi stick. It seems that selfie stick users consider it awkward to ask a stranger for help.

Sarah Kinling lives in Baltimore. She said she was approached 17 times by street vendors selling selfie sticks at the Colosseum in Rome. “These sticks are the quickest way to spot a tourist,” she said. “The more I saw them in use, the more I (4) and not turning around to see what they were there to see.”

When Kinling wanted a photo of herself with her sister and sister-in-law, she asked strangers to take the shot. “Even when the other person didn’t speak English, (5) and they understand,” she said.

But some travellers say it’s better to stage your own holiday photos. Andrea Garcia asked a passer-by to take her photo in Egypt. She later realized he had zoomed in on her face, cutting out the pyramids behind her. “I couldn’t really be angry at him. He wasn’t my photographer. I didn’t pay him,” she said. The experience made her (6) . “Take control of your image!” she says.

Selfie sticks are very popular with travellers and are found in many tourist destinations all over the world. However, many museums in Europe, Australia and the USA have recently (7) . “For the safety of our visitors and collections we prohibit the use of selfie sticks. But that doesn’t mean that (8) ,” say the representatives of the US museums. Moreover, they have been banished from major football games and music venues. The Louvre in Paris and London’s Tate Museums, however, have not taken action and still (9) . They can also be seen at New York’s Museum of Natural History.

So, before going on a sightseeing tour, (10) . What is more, remember that you can always ask locals to take a photo as well as have a pleasant chat to them.