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Valentine's Day

Practice the Zero Conditional

Date: Feb 08 2012

Themes: Holidays, Romance

Grammar: Zero Conditional

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Intro

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Some people dread Valentine’s Day. Others love it. Whether you love or hate the couples’ holiday might have something to do with whether or not you’re in a relationship. But even some happy couples decide not to make a big deal out of V-Day. They see it as more of a commercial holiday, and prefer to celebrate their love on their own schedule. Hear how Jason and Amy plan to spend Valentine’s Day with their sweeties this year.

Dialog

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Amy

Jason

Amy: Do you have any Valentine’s Day plans, Jason?

Jason: Yes, but they’re very un-Valentine’s Day.

Amy: Oh really?

Jason: Yes. My girlfriend and I are going to a basketball game, because last year, we went all out and did an actual Valentine’s Day experience, and it was kind of a disaster.

Amy: Oh no, why?

Jason: Well, we went to this place where there was a lounge singer, and it was like a dinner theater experience, and they greeted you with champagne and roses right when you walk in, and they take your photo, and you get your own table.

Amy: That sounds kinda fun. Kinda cheesy-fun.

Jason: At first it was. But the performer was really bad. And it was really expensive, and the singing was bad, and we couldn’t even talk. And at the end we didn’t feel romantic at all.

Amy: That’s the thing about Valentine’s Day that is kind of annoying. So many restaurants, if you want to go out to dinner with your sweetie, they charge so much more than what they would normally charge. And it can end up just being…You just feel kind of like you wasted money, or you bought into this really commercial holiday.

Jason: That was exactly how I felt. So this year, I said, “You know what? Remember that disaster last year? Let’s just not participate in Valentine’s Day.”

Amy: And your girlfriend was OK with that plan?

Jason: Yeah.

Amy: That’s good.

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Discussion

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Amy asks Jason about his Valentine’s Day plans. He explains that he and his girlfriend are going to a basketball game on Valentine’s Day. They tried to do something more romantic last year, but it turned into an expensive disaster.

On Valentine’s Day, many restaurants raise their prices. Amy agrees that going out on Valentine’s Day can be expensive and annoying. She thinks that Valentine’s Day is mostly a commercial holiday.

What are your Valentine’s Day plans? Do you think Valentine’s Day is too commercial?

Comments

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Marli Martins de Oliveira

Brazil

Yes, I usually spend the Valentine’s Day at home listening romantic songs, watching a movie and eating popcorn. I agree that Valentine’s Day is too commercial.

Mk-Babar

Pakistan

Anybody interested to practice English and to share knowledge.. add me at skype.. We will have chating, voice calls, conference calls.
skype id: cruiser40403

TranceSoul

Poland

In the past a Valentine’s Day was something special for me. I used to be excited and preparing something for my boyfriend on that day. Now I’m not in relationship but surely I would be doing the same for my sweetie with the diffrence that I wouldn’t consider this day exceptionally. I mean, I wouldn’t like my boyfriend to feel exceptionally only in this day.

I agree, Valentine’s Day is commercial as like every holiday but it’s up to us how we celebrate it.

oksana08

Ukraine

A Valentine’s Day is one more opportunity to be romantic and make your partner happier

woman_inlove

United Arab Emirates

People calls it Valentine’s day. I call it Tuesday

khaethe

Philippines

@julito everybody keeps asking me why im single haha i really dont know why

m.ania

Poland

It is commercial, but a kind a nice day:-)

lynn lam

China

Valentine’s Day is not a big deal for me,it just like a normal day.:)

Green Alice

Russian Federation

Yes, I think Valentine’s Day is too commercial. However I find no harm in celebrating it. Little gifts, flowers, candles and delicious dinner is all you need!

simoroshka

Russian Federation

On 14th of Feburary I will be working, cause it’s a common tuesday, not a holyday or day off. Maybe I’ll tell all my closest friends and others that I truely love them and very happy that I have them in my life. Why not? In any other day saing something like this sounds rather strange for me, but you need to say to people you love about these feelings. No matter whether there’s only one person or a lot of them.

qqllpower

China

It’ll be my birthday when the day comes,So i view Valentine’s day as an importand day to share the happy with my lover.:)

Maria del Alba

Spain

I don’t know what I and my sweety are going to do next Tuesday. We’ve not decided yet. I might cook something for him or going together to a restaurant, but as Amy and Jason I also think that it is a very commercial day and what it’s really important in a relationship is not giving gifts on Valentine’s day but loving your partner every day.

nfrtary

Egypt

here also Valentine’s Day is too commercial all resturant and coffe shop raise all prices and make minimum charge and it`s very high.

i don`t more intersted of valentine because i belive that all of us have his own (i mean the day that he met his partner

Kropeczka

Poland

julito It’s also an alert for me but the truth is that you cannot forget about VD. “They” won’t allow you for this.

julito

Argentina

Kropeczka. We see your point. Men stay alert !! if we forget , we are in big trouble !!!!

Kropeczka

Poland

ola33 I guess you’re right. So English,baby set the alarm bells ringing. Be aware – it’s the final countdown till Doomsday! Agh, I mean Valentine’s Day :-)

julito

Argentina

KHAETHE.. ... Are in Philippines men blind ?,otherwise ,how is it that you will not receive a bouquet of roses.

Mi Nguyen

Viet Nam

V day is coming. Guess this year is the same as those previous ones for me. Hang out with my single friends and get drunk. Who says V day is only for couples? It s also a day for single reunions lol