1. What is a rider? Why do you think artists include such detailed requests in them?
2. Which of the celebrity rider requests surprised you the most? Why?
3. Do you think these requests are always serious, or sometimes made as jokes or tests for the organizers?
4. Which requests seem reasonable or practical, and which seem over the top?
5. What do unusual or funny rider requests (like Iggy Pop’s dwarfs or Lady Gaga’s Cockney accents) say about the performer’s personality or sense of humor?
6. Do you think stars should be allowed to make extreme requests, since they bring in big audiences, or should there be limits?
7. What does a rider tell us about the difference between a celebrity’s public image and private needs?
8. If you were a concert organizer, how would you react to a really strange rider request?
9. How might cultural differences play into rider requests (for example, food, decorations, or symbols like Johnny Cash’s American flag)?
10. Do you think riders are more about comfort, performance quality, or power? Why?

✨ Creative Prompts

Extreme Rider Challenge: What’s the most outlandish or funny rider you could imagine?

Design Your Own Rider: If you were a famous musician, what would be on your rider? (Think about food, drinks, furniture, atmosphere, quirky demands…)

The “Test Request”: Many stars include something unusual (like Iggy Pop’s disliked cigarettes) to check if organizers actually read the rider. What would your “test item” be?

Budget Rider vs. Luxury Rider: What would your requests be if you were touring on a shoestring budget compared to if you were a superstar?

The Finnish Rider: What uniquely Finnish things might be included in a rider (sauna, rye bread, salmiakki…)?

Hesitation particles, fillers, and discourse markers are super common in everyday English, but they’re rarely taught explicitly. They’re important because they make speech sound more natural, give speakers time to think, soften messages, and sometimes show attitude. Here’s a categorized list with examples and advice for usage:

1. Classic Hesitation Fillers

Used when searching for the right word or buying time.

• err / erm / um / uh
  • “Erm, I’m not really sure about that.”
  • Neutral, just signals you need a second. In British English “erm,” in American English “um.”
• hmm / mmm
  • “Hmm, let me think…”
  • Shows you’re considering something. Tone of voice changes meaning (curious, doubtful, thinking).

✅ Advice: Fine in spoken English, but avoid overusing in formal presentations or writing.

2. Thinking Aloud Markers

Used to signal you’re processing or planning your response.

• let me see / let’s see
  • “Let’s see… I think the answer is option B.”
• how shall I put it…
  • “How shall I put it… she’s a bit unconventional.”
• what’s the word…
  • “It was really, um, what’s the word… refreshing!”

✅ Advice: These show you’re actively thinking, not lost. Good in both casual and semi-formal talk.

3. Delaying & Softening Devices

Used when you don’t want to answer too directly or need more time.

• you know…
  • “It was, you know, kind of unexpected.”
• like…
  • “It was, like, really awkward.”
• sort of / kind of
  • “He’s sort of my mentor, I guess.”
• well…
  • “Well… I suppose that depends.”

✅ Advice: Overusing “like” sounds immature, but moderate use makes speech sound natural. “Well” is very versatile: softens disagreement, signals hesitation, or introduces a new point.

4. Stalling Phrases

Polite ways to buy more time, especially in Q&A or formal settings.

• that’s a good question…
  • “That’s a good question… I’d say the main reason is…”
• let me think for a second…
  • “Hmm, let me think for a second… yeah, I’d recommend option A.”
• if I’m honest / to be honest…
  • “To be honest… I haven’t thought about that before.”

✅ Advice: Safer in semi-formal situations than just “uhm.” Sounds like you’re engaging thoughtfully.

5. Nonverbal Hesitation Sounds

No words, just noises to keep your turn in the conversation.

• tsk / click of the tongue → hesitation, doubt.
• inhale / exhale noises → “Sooo…” (drawing out sounds).
• drawn-out syllables → “Wellllll… maybe.”

✅ Advice: Common in casual talk, but don’t overdo in formal settings.

6. Turn-Keepers (stopping others from interrupting while you think)

• hang on a sec…
  • “Hang on a sec… I just need to explain this first.”
• wait, wait…
  • “Wait, wait… that’s not what I meant.”
• just a second…
  • “Just a second… let me check my notes.”

✅ Advice: Use when you need space in conversation. Politer than silent pauses.

🌟 Teaching / Student Tip

In casual talk, fillers like “like” and “you know” help them sound more natural, but balance is key.

Students should use these sparingly but strategically.

In exams, “thinking phrases” (“let’s see,” “that’s a good question”) are safer than “errm.”

******************************************************************************************

🗣️ Buying Time & Showing Hesitation in English

(How to sound natural while you think)

1. Classic Fillers

err / erm / um / uh = öö

• “Erm, I don’t know.”
  hmm / mmm = hmmm / mmm
• “Hmm, let me think…”

2. Thinking Aloud

let me see / let’s see = katsotaanpa, mietitäänpä

• “Let’s see… maybe on Friday.”
  how shall I put it… = miten sen nyt sanoisi…
• “How shall I put it… he’s a bit odd.”
  what’s the word… = mikä se sana nyt on…
• “It was really… what’s the word… exciting!”

3. Softening & Delaying

you know = tiedäthän

• “It was, you know, strange.”
  like = niinku
• “It was, like, so embarrassing.”
  sort of / kind of = vähän niinku
• “He’s kind of my teacher.”
  well… = no, tuota
• “Well… I guess so.”

4. Polite Stalling

that’s a good question… = hyvä kysymys…

• “That’s a good question… maybe yes.”
  let me think for a second… = anna kun mietin hetki
• “Let me think for a second… okay, I’d say option A.”
  to be honest… = rehellisesti sanottuna
• “To be honest… I’m not sure.”

5. Turn-Keepers

hang on a sec… = odota hetki

• “Hang on a sec… I’ll explain.”
  wait, wait… = odota, odota
• “Wait, wait… that’s not right.”
  just a second… = ihan pieni hetki
• “Just a second… I’ll check.”

🎭 Practice Mini-Dialogues

👉 Student A = question / Student B = hesitation

1.
A: “What’s your favourite film?”
B: “Hmm… let me see… maybe Inception.”

2.
A: “Do you like school?”
B: “Well… sort of. Some subjects are fun.”

3.
A: “Why were you late?”
B: “Erm… you know… the bus was late again.”

4.
A: “What’s the capital of Canada?”
B: “That’s a good question… wait, wait… Ottawa!”

✅ Usage Tips

• ✔ Natural in everyday talk.
• ✔ Good for oral exams → use “let’s see,” “that’s a good question” instead of only “öö.”
• ❌ Don’t overuse fillers like “like” → sounds messy.
• ✔ Use them to keep your turn while you think.

✨ Power English tip: Even average English becomes natural English when you use hesitation particles well!