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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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koxa

koxa

Ukraine

We are all representatives of high culture it sets us apart from prehistoric man and today's commucation is impposible without this culture that including good manners,behaviour…the importance of good manners always are considered and estimated by people…it's like a sign that shows or characterizes a person,who she or he is in real?...

11:19 AM Oct 03 2009 |

vls

vls

Lao People's Democratic Republic

I understand that all of us should have good manners. However, we have to understand that all of us have different level of pressure and frustration to handle. It depends on what causes us to badly behave. It is something that we can withstand? For example, the case of Serena Williams. I am not saying that what she acted on that day was appropriate to be a rolemodel in this modern world. But imagin, if i were in that situation, who knows, i would probably do more than that.

11:14 AM Oct 03 2009 |

flylover

flylover

Georgia

I think manners are most considerable thing for people.  By them people make an idea about us.So it's very importent how to we behave in public.

P.S I have no bad manners Smile

07:30 AM Oct 03 2009 |

phozia

phozia

Pakistan

i think every1 should care of manners..

06:48 AM Oct 03 2009 |

the beginners

Saudi Arabia

what is life without manners ? i believe that life without manners is a complete chaos . 

05:51 AM Oct 03 2009 |

chenjoy

China

Kiss

05:03 AM Oct 03 2009 |

Summer '

China

Yes,having good maners and being polite is very important..

04:19 AM Oct 03 2009 |

Ray81191837

China

Well,public manners are important for  every country.Although the bad manners exist in socity,yet most of people have good manners.

 

By the way,today is the Mid-Autumn Festival,that is a traditional day in China.

 

02:30 AM Oct 03 2009 |

allans_7

allans_7

Colombia

hey.. we're human and we've got law to be wrong!!!.. but we should be better each day and to learn of our  mistakes!!.. take care guys!!.

11:00 PM Oct 02 2009 |

Mayorci

Venezuela

I think nowadays people aren't worried to have  "Good manners".
However We can change that .How? Teaching our young people to be polite

09:39 PM Oct 02 2009 |

Shinichi Lover

Bahrain

Ofcourse it's important to have good manners, even in our life some times we can't control our self but we should try to be better , because as you know kids learn from us so if we have bad manners they will do the same us,and as noguti says the good manners and bad manners exist in every where..

08:14 PM Oct 02 2009 |

enyf

enyf

Indonesia

in my country, we still have many people on their good manner…I hope, lol

isn't that right, mr. efri shan?

03:25 PM Oct 02 2009 |

siberian tigger

Mexico

Well, Ithink that nowadays all human beings should be polite with each other for creating a marvelous wolrd.

Good lock fellas.

03:02 PM Oct 02 2009 |

aggie yuan

aggie yuan

China

well,public figures are people,people have feelings,so let's forgive them

02:46 PM Oct 02 2009 |

mardyyang

China

apparently,it's so important that people have good manners ,that 'll makes a world of harmony.there is many guys have bad manners in our country,it makes me sick sometimes.

01:04 PM Oct 02 2009 |

looody

looody

Saudi Arabia

hiiiii

 

i dont now how i Beginning this lesson

05:20 AM Oct 02 2009 |

Efri Shan

Efri Shan

Indonesia

Yeah.Some people usually talk impolitely when they are in the bad mood. But they shouldn’t do it in public situation becoz the people will give him/her negative judgment, n their reputation can be worst.

04:45 AM Oct 02 2009 |

Denny500

Denny500

Australia

That's true and do you guys think that the Bad Manners connected to the economics? During the economics boom, people tend to be gentl and polite. However, while most people lost their job, have not enough money to pay the bills, children can't go to the schools, that would be a totally different story.

04:00 AM Oct 02 2009 |

noguti

noguti

Brazil

Yes, having good maners and being polite is very important. No shadow of doubt.

Well… kids are getting so impolite because of the society and even because of their parents…. Children don't learn things by themselves, they notice someone else's attitudes and try to do the same. Just that.

 Do people have good manners in your country?

Well, we cannot judge a whole country. I mean, we can't answer it generally. Good maners and bad maners exist anywhere. :)

03:38 AM Oct 02 2009 |

mickee85

mickee85

Philippines

hahaha I like the last part…. that's Kanye icon.

03:15 AM Oct 02 2009 |

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