Rob is annoyed. He has spent hours filling in forms for his small house extension. Can Feifei help him? Listen to the programme to find out.
Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript.
Feifei
Hello Rob. You look so busy, what are all these papers?
Rob
Oh, Feifei, I have to get a permit to build an extension to my house. It's a very small bit of building work but I have to fill in all these forms.
Feifei
What is this one for?
Rob
Well, this one here is for my local council. I need to apply for planning permission. And then they want lots of supporting documents to make sure it fits in with building regulations.
Feifei
It sounds exhausting.
Rob
It is. I hate red tape. If I could cut through this red tape it would be brilliant!
Feifei
So your problem is red tape? Say no more, Rob! The solution is in my bag! Ah, here they are!
Rob
A pair of scissors and blue tape?
Feifei
Yes. You use the scissors to cut through your red tape and ... if you don't like red tape, use blue. I love the colour blue!
Rob
Thank you, Feifei. You're a good friend. But in English we call the rules and processes required to get official permits—which usually seem to be pointless—'red tape'.
Feifei
Ah, bureaucracy! So let's hear some examples of how this expression is used.
Examples
Small firms won't be subject to new regulations under a government plan to cut red tape and boost the economy.
Andrea almost gave up studying abroad. The amount of red tape to get a visa was unbelievable!
Feifei
I think most people hate bureaucracy, Rob.
Rob
I'm not surprised. Some people say this expression might come from the 16th century, when bundles of documents were held together with red tape. I hate all these forms!
Feifei
Well, it's the 21st century now and we still have red tape. Good luck with your red tape, Rob. I'm off to paint the town red!
Rob
Oh, no more idioms with red for me today please.
Both
Bye.