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Rob the Cradle
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Rob the Cradle English, baby! Video Lesson
老牛吃嫩草

Learn English with this dating English lesson

Date: Mar 19 2013

Themes: Romance, Soap Opera

Grammar: Modal Verbs

Intro

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2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

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You’re single, and you’re looking for someone to date. You might decide that you want to find someone with a particular color of hair, or with similar interests to yours. Maybe you want someone with a good sense of humor, or someone who’s very serious. Do you also think about what age you want the person to be? Do you come up with a preferred age range?

People date people who are different ages from them all the time. But is there such a thing as going too young? If you’re 30, do you think it would be fine to date someone who is 20? Or would that make you feel as if you’re dating someone who’s just not mature enough? When someone is dating someone who is much younger than seems appropriate, you might say that they’re robbing the cradle. A cradle is a bed that a baby sleeps in. Obviously, the person isn’t dating a baby, but you might use the expression to show your disapproval.

Jeff is single, and he’s got his eyes on someone in the office. Find out whether Marni thinks he’s acting in an age-appropriate manner in this dating English lesson.

你是单身,正在寻找约会对象。你可能决定希望找到头发颜色特别的人,或者与你有相似兴趣的人。你还可能希望找到有幽默感的人,或是非常严肃的人。您是否也考虑过伴侣的年龄?你是否有首选年龄范围?

人们总是约会与自己年龄不同的人。但是否会出现约会对象太年轻的情况?如果你 30 岁,你认为与 20 岁的人约会是否合适?换言之,你是否觉得自己在与不够成熟的人约会?如果某人与比合适年龄段小很多的人约会,你可能会说他们是老牛吃嫩草。摇篮是婴儿睡觉的地方。很显然,此人并非与婴儿约会,但你可能会使用这个说法来表示你的不赞成。

杰夫单身,他看上了办公室里的某人。在本节约会英语课上,看看玛尼是否认为杰夫与对方年龄合适。

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Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

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

Amanda

Amanda

Jeff

Jeff

Lily

Lily

Marni

Marni

Amanda:  Hey, Jeff, this is Lily. She’s here interviewing for the new assistant position.

Jeff:  Hello! I’m Jeff.

Lily:  Hi, I’m Lily.

Amanda:  Yeah, I just said that. But, OK. Why don’t you head back here with me and we’ll chat?

Lily:  OK.

Marni:  Hey, Jeff.

Jeff:  Hey, Marni. What are you doing here?

Marni:  Oh, I realized I left my favorite snowglobe here. And here it is. I thought Dawn might really like to look at the snowfall.

Jeff:  Yeah, I think babies like that.

Marni:  Mmm Hmm. Who was that girl with Amanda?

Jeff:  Oh, she’s…Lily. I think Amanda’s trying to hire some new people with some more youthful energy. And if I do say so myself, she has got some youthful energy.

Marni:  Jeff, that’s gross! She was like 20 years old!

Jeff:  So?

Marni:  So, Jeff, I really want you to find a girlfriend and stuff, but don’t you think you should be dating somebody your own age? I mean, robbing the cradle’s not the way to go.

Jeff:  Hey, I know Dawn is not my child. I would never come steal her while she’s sleeping.

Marni:  No, Jeff, I don’t mean Dawn! I just mean…that girl was pretty, but she’s too young for you. It just seems to me you should date someone your own age, someone you might have something more in common with.

Jeff:  Come on, I like tons of things young people like. The Internet, cell phones, shoes, chocolate, video games…

Marni:  OK, Jeff. I’m just trying to be your friend here. I’m just saying there’s probably plenty of people your age that you could really connect with, and have a meaningful relationship that you do deserve.

Jeff:  Are you saying she’s not mature?

Marni:  Forget it. I’m just here to get my snowglobe and I’m gonna get out of here. OK?

Jeff:  Yeah. OK, Marni. Good seeing you. Thanks for the advice.

 

Grammar Point

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

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Lily comes into the office to interview for a new position, and Jeff is immediately interested in her. Marni, who’s come in to retrieve her snowglobe, thinks Lily is way too young for Jeff. She accuses him of robbing the cradle. She doesn’t mean that she thinks he’s going to steal her baby, but just that Jeff should date someone older.

Jeff doesn’t know why Marni’s making such a big deal. Jeff thinks he likes lots of things that young people like. Some of those things, though, like chocolate or shoes, are not things that are really specific to young people.

Eventually Marni gets frustrated. She’s trying to be his friend and give some helpful advice, but he just won’t listen to her.

What do you think about people dating people that are much younger or older than them? Have you ever had a friend who you thought was robbing the cradle? What did you say to him or her?

 

Comments

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seungmanlee68

South Korea

It is common things to date with younger or older than himself or herself in Korea. In my opinion, if they really love each other, age is no problem between lovers. I heard that my friend had experienced to date young lady, 13 years younger than him. When he was taking a walk with her at park near his house, a few neighbors asked for him to introduce her as a girlfriend. After things happened, he merely smiled at neighbors reaction.  After I married to my wife, I realized that I shall not get any opportunity to rob the cradle longer.  I would like to say congratulations to all of them who robbed the cradle. 

11:16 AM Mar 19 2013 |

Joyce Rose

Joyce Rose

China

I agree the most of people’s opinio.If someone truely loves you ,age or  distance is not a problem.It’s just the power of making love grow each day .                                                                                                              I have seen the movie which is about the great painter pablo Picasso named Careless Love , Picasso have a girl friend that is 40 years younger than he is,But it just doesn’t influenced their love.  So I think age is not the problem, height is not distance.



10:47 AM Mar 19 2013 |

Englishty

Englishty

Egypt

I think it’s really idiocy to think we have to date someone or to be with someone your age or around your age, we just have to look for our right spouses and the person who makes us fall in love no matter what.

10:07 AM Mar 19 2013 |

kang212

China

If you fall in love with someone,age is not the importance.And I think you and she can become goodfriends  not only girlfriend and boyfriend.

10:03 AM Mar 19 2013 |

lorier89

lorier89

Poland

I  think it is possible to be with someone younger or older. I can say more, they often  create beautiful relationship and we shouldn’t judge them. 


If you are in love with somebody you will do everything to be with that person :) 

09:39 AM Mar 19 2013 |

chemistryteacher

Turkey

for people who can make empathy age is not problem. if do not try to understand your wife or husband life become difficult.

09:28 AM Mar 19 2013 |

1 person likes this

Jullieta

Jullieta

Russian Federation

I have a big age difference with my husband.  Some times it is difficult to find common language or interests. But the same problems can be with the same age person. My opinion is age difference shouldn`t be so big .

kowatch

kowatch

Hungary

This video doesn’t show the other side of topic. I don’t think of robbing the cradle but why a young woman dates with an older man. Probably the man has a good job, higher wage, his own house and car. So he can make a financial safe and that’s very attractive. And an older man needs serious partner, so probably he doesn’t play with her.


I think it is not problem that Jeff’s interested in her. A 20 year old woman is adult in my country.

07:07 AM Mar 19 2013 |

Crizsearch

Crizsearch

Indonesia

I think LOVE never known age, age doesn’t important when it comes to LOVE as long as they have the same hobby, and they feel comfortable. You know it has to be mutualism between both people , right?? 

05:56 AM Mar 19 2013 |

Ngubo Sixtus

South Africa

to date younger or older friend is depending on both of you if you respect each other is ok. as long as you love her and she loves you is very nice.

05:05 AM Mar 19 2013 |

panictx

panictx

South Korea

I really wanted it, like Jeff!! :) It must be a romance for most of men. haha -_;;; Every gentleman~~ could you agree with me? ^^

04:29 AM Mar 19 2013 |

1 person likes this

Ritalinda

Brazil

My bf is  younger than  me and  I don´t think Im robbing a cradle


:)

02:41 AM Mar 19 2013 |

ola33

ola33

Japan

 I was only happy for my friend. That was a wonderful marriage I ever known. I don’t think age is the problem when there’s respect, love, common interests.


PS Mr Rochester was twice Jane’s age ;) (Jane Eyre)

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