Intro
1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.
2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.
It’s extremely awkward to tell a friend that they stink. But when getting close to a friend’s armpit makes you want to hold your nose, it’s time to find something tactful to say. Sometimes people don’t even know that they are in need of a strong deodorant. Others don’t care and aren’t self-conscious at all.
Talking about hygiene is tricky. Has anyone ever said that you have bad breath, or that something was stuck in your teeth? That person was probably as embarrassed to tell you as you were to hear it. But would you rather not know that you have bad breath or something stuck in your teeth? That might be worse!
Read more to learn who has a hygiene problem in this English lesson about deodorant.
Dialog
1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.
2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.
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Marni: Lily, I just did a killer workout. I feel great.
Lily: So, did you shower afterwards?
Marni: Nah. I like to sweat and just feel it.
Lily: The particular scent of exertion.
Marni: Yeah! I love it! I mean, you know? It feels good, you know?
Lily: Maybe you should try a deodorant when you work out. I know I do, and it makes me feel a whole lot less self-conscious about things.
Marni: Oh. Are you saying that I stink? I mean I use…
Lily: Sorry! I’m trying to be tactful.
Marni: Geez, I’m embarrassed. I use these natural methods. I use the crystals under my armpits. If you’re having to hold your nose around me, I need to clearly rethink this.
Lily: It’s hard, because you never know what the actual etiquette is for that. Most people just ignore it and sort of inch away if somebody is a little bit more pungent than normal. I think I might have some deodorant in my bag, actually. Hold on a second. Let me look for it. Here you go.
Marni: OK. Well, is this roll-on or spray? How do I use this?
Lily: It’s a roll-on. It’s full of essential oils. It’ll make you smell like a lavender bush.
Marni: All right. Well, that sounds great.
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Discussion
Even though it’s hard to talk about, Lily feels like she has to tell Marni something awkward. She kind of stinks! Marni has been exercising and she just doesn’t smell good. Lily must really care about Marni to find a way to talk to her about her hygiene. It’s a very uncomfortable subject and it’s important to be tactful.
Marni is embarrassed, but she doesn’t seem too hurt by what Lily has shared. Lily offers to let Marni try her special deodorant with essential oil from a lavender plant. It smells wonderful, and it’s going to help. Talking about hygiene isn’t going to mess up their friendship after all.
Do you use deodorant? Do you think everyone should, or is it not that important?
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