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Bad Manners

Bad Manners

Date: Oct 02 2009

Themes: News

Grammar: Direct vs. Reported Speech

Intro

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In recent weeks, three different public figures have acted like bratty kids on TV. First a U.S. senator shouted “You lie!” in the middle of an important speech by President Obama. Then Serena Williams cussed out a judge during one of her tennis matches. And you’ve probably already seen the Ebaby! lesson about Kanye West’s outburst at the VMAs.

Being polite is always important, but it’s especially surprising when someone throws a temper tantrum in front of the entire world. So what’s going on? Is it just a coincidence that all these public meltdowns have happened so close together, or have Americans lost their manners? Maybe we’ve always been a nation of brats! Find out what Marni and Devan think.

Dialog

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Devan

Devan

Marni

Marni

Jason

Jason

Devan:  So I was reading an article, and it was talking about the whole Kanye outburst, and the senator that said “You lie!”

Marni:  Joe Wilson?

Devan:  Joe Wilson. And about Serena Williams, her outburst at the tennis match. And it was saying that they think that Americans as a society, that we’ve lost track of good manners. What do you think about that?

Marni:  That’s interesting. I haven’t read that article, but now that you mention it, there have been so many examples lately in the media of pop stars or athletes and senators just being out of line. And it does bring up an interesting argument. I mean, I’ve certainly on occasion flipped out, had meltdowns. But I think I hold these people in the public eye to a higher standard.

Devan:  Do you think that good manners is like a lost art? Do you think that parents are teaching their kids to be polite? Like my parents really emphasized being polite and respecting my elders and all of those old, traditional, good manner things.

Marni:  Sure. I really feel like as a society we need to look at what we’re teaching our kids and…

Jason:  Hey yo yo yo! I see you’re doing a lesson here, and I’m happy for you, I’m gonna let you finish, but “Kanye Steals the Spotlight” is the best lesson on English, baby! of all time. All time!

Marni:  Uh, OK Jason…

 

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

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Devan read an article that said that Americans don’t care about good manners anymore. Marni agrees that there have been a lot of examples lately of public figures behaving rudely.

Most of us learn about good manners from our parents. Devan’s parents made sure to teach her about being polite and respectful. Marni and Devan think that maybe kids these days aren’t learning good manners from their parents.

Just as Marni is saying that we need to be better about teaching kids manners, Jason rudely interrupts her to promote the Ebaby! lesson “Kanye Steals the Spotlight.” Jason may be the rudest Ebaby! cast member of all time. All time!

Do you think it’s important to have good manners? Why? Do people have good manners in your country?

 

Comments

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vls

vls

Lao People's Democratic Republic

People, espeacially kids, are viewing stars in whatever field, espeacially in sports, to be their role model. They should not let their frustration to control their actions. I am not saying that I can do so and I understand that sometimes a judge from a referree is non-sense. However, they are specific group of people that represent themself to the entire world.

02:37 AM Oct 02 2009 |

prakash.fca

India

A bad manner needs to avoid even when we frustrated. She is wonderful player, I ever seen.

02:28 AM Oct 02 2009 |

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