English, baby!

Baby Shower!

Date: May 18 2007

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 either sounds great or terrifying. A couple of dozen women gather to play games, shout and laugh over tiny shoes and hats. It’s called a baby shower and it is an American tradition that is also spreading to other cultures. All the female friends of an expectant mother get together to celebrate her pregnancy. They bring gifts for the baby.

Does that sound like fun? It doesn’t to Marni. Amanda is planning an unusual baby shower. Listen to her convince Marni to come.

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.

Amanda

Marni

Amanda: So I am so excited that I get to host…a baby shower at my house this weekend.

Marni: Really?

Amanda: Are you available?

Marni: I have to be honest. I’m just not a fan of baby showers.

Amanda: What!?

Marni: I mean if it’s somebody I really care about, but just the general, the cultural…

Amanda: Well, it’s me.

Marni: Well…of course I’d come to your baby shower.

Amanda: Okay, great.

Marni: But I’m sorry, I just…the whole tradition of the baby shower…Ladies getting together, putting candy bars in diapers, it’s just…

Amanda: But here’s the thing. We’re being progressive and current about it, so it’s a couple’s shower.

Marni: Really?

Amanda: Your boyfriend, husband, lover, whatever…invited.

Marni: Well…

Amanda: We’re gonna have the game on in one room, and then we’re gonna have our little, like you said, candy bars in the diaper games and mimosas in the other room.

Marni: Okay, well, if there’s mimosas I’ll consider coming.

Amanda: You know what, it’s so full of joy and you get spend what? $100 on a gift. Why wouldn’t you want to come?

Marni: Well, I mean I think that’s part of the culture. It’s this baby and you’re just…it’s this given that you have to shell out all this money for this baby gift, and, really, it’s a baby and they’re gonna grow out of their cute little outfit in a matter of months.

Amanda: Okay, if you had a choice this weekend, wedding shower or baby shower?

Marni: I’d probably go to the movies.

Amanda: Huh.

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Discussion

Amanda says she is excited to be hosting a baby shower. Marni says she doesn’t like baby showers. But when she realizes the shower is for Amanda, she says she’ll come.

Amanda tells Marni that the shower will be unusual because men will be allowed to come. She will also serve alcohol. Marni likes that idea.

Then Amanda reminds Marni that guests bring gifts to baby showers. Marni explains that she thinks that gifts for a baby are pointless.

At the end of the dialogue, Amanda asks if Marni if she likes wedding showers, a party for a bride to be, more than baby showers. Marni implies that she doesn’t like either when she says she’d rather go to the movies.

Have you ever been to a baby shower? What did you think of it? Are there parties for expectant mothers where you live?

Comments

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Nakashima

Japan

I was surprised at Marni`s last choice ,because she told Amanda “I`d　come to your baby shower.”

I didn`t know baby shower is celebration for dozen women.

I thought that baby shower is celebration for babies.

I didn`t know why do they need mimosas.

Nakashima

Japan

I was surprised at Marni`s last choice ,because she told Amanda “I`d　come to your baby shower.”

I didn`t know baby shower is celebration for dozen women.

I thought that baby shower is celebration for babies.

I didn`t know why do they need mimosas.

susanblack13

Bahrain

This is a beautiful stage enjoy it to the fullest I recommend you visit https://newbornbaby.win/ Greetings dear

Drmahsa1995

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

yeppp my nieces baby shower …. its a good idea to celebrate for new babyes… this party was in dutchland in my sistres house…:)

Madline

Jordan

ya of course but the diffirent between the party that I went and the shower baby is the names ,,, I have been to a baby shower and its one of the most amazing parties and I also like wedding shower 4 me its more amazin than baby shower :)

julito

Argentina

Amanda is inviting Marni`s male friends ….. I can imagine the poor guys in the middle of all these girls , instead of going to the stadium or a car show , having to put up with their chitchat about babies and diapers. Men, don´t accept any of this invitations.

sabynette22

Algeria

in my country after the baby’s birth we throw a big party we invite relatives,freinds and so on to celebrate this event we serve drinks, cakes and at the end of this” party” there’s dinner…kinda cool

pink angel

Saudi Arabia

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS WONDERFUL TOPIC

I LIKED THESE PARTIES FOR THE BABYIES , I SAW THEM IN TE MOVIES

BUT UNFORTUNATELY WE NEVER DID IT HERE BEFORE THE BABY BORN

WE USUALLY DO IT AFTER THE BABY BORN

SampekEngtai

Indonesia

Well, it’s a pretty good idea. However, I’ve never heard that males are allowed to come..

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United States

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adi9

Slovakia

i think it´s very cute..:))

badawy

Egypt

wedding shower

Blue-Smile

Switzerland

We don’t have this tradition in our country …

lxlylme

China

getting to learn new things every day ！！

peacockblue

China

Many expectant mother get together,talk about their coming babies excitedly,blissfullyv…

Maystro

Saudi Arabia

I don`t no any thing a bout this ?

somaliland

Somalia

In my country an expected women have same celebration, but it doesnot call baby shower,it has another name(Tarrare). it great to see one my poeple custome in other country.

qoo_toy

Japan

Baby Shower and Wedding Shower are very nice. Since both of them are so suspecious thing, to celebrate by close people is so wonderful My country have no the custom. However, we usually do some gathering in order to celebrate familier friends.

witch84

Malaysia

We have it after the baby born. I think both of it are sweet, before or after, it is full of happiness, but put a candy bar into diaper is fresh to me, does it have any meaning on it? I would like to try to attend a baby shower next time~ of cos,not just for those game. =P