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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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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.

 

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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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Ryanna

United States

Few sounds with great presentations, wonderful!

01:32 AM Mar 08 2016 |

fabsir

fabsir

Brazil

I think age gap relationships aren´t for everyone. I don´t think it is a problem though. If the couple is like minded and mature enough to deal with any difficulties that the relationship throws at them. I know of a number of couples who the man was poked fun at as robbing the cradle but guess what 12 years into the relationship and they´re still together and getting along just fine.

03:40 PM May 06 2013 |

phn_uk

phn_uk

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

I think robbing the cradle is not a big deal as long as two persons can understand each other and get along well. because having the same age doesn’t guarantee anything and we can see lots of couple around us which have so many difficulties. so the most important thing in my opinion is the understanding which covers the age matter.


although for celebrities it’s just a media thing which gets public attention just like Rihanna and Justin hanging out.

08:37 AM Mar 24 2013 |

whipiry

whipiry

South Korea

depending on a culture, age range is so different, in some countries, they don’t care about robbing the cradle. when I come up with age range, it could be within 5-7 years . i guess it might be a meaingful relationship. 


06:03 AM Mar 22 2013 |

1 person likes this

Crizsearch

Crizsearch

Indonesia

The man happy because he still can married with young girl at the very old age, the man must be proud of himself :D :D D:D

04:12 AM Mar 21 2013 |

masoudhsn

masoudhsn

Canada

Age difference between  two genders while they have a plan for dating is sometimes debatable. It isn’t very meaningful for some people, but others believe it is gross. However, being in the same age range seems pleasant, I come up with that  if they have something in common with each other in any span of ages, they are able to match and it is not robbing the cradle. As a result, it depends on them how can handle their relationship without any kind of difficulty which ae manageable. Otherwise, it is going to be problematic in their future life.

09:26 PM Mar 20 2013 |

Mahtab.bp

Mahtab.bp

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

Hello Olya & Julito!


Happy ending, huh?:))


It’s funny picture , I guess so! But it happens in real too!


I wonder!!


The girl must be happy for money but why oldman is happy?? :D

03:56 AM Mar 20 2013 |

ola33

ola33

Japan

Well, Julito, in Russia, we also say, that old people who marry the young ones are like those who buy books but give them away to read  to the other ones. 


Again! ” there are always some exceptions! ;)”


 

01:54 AM Mar 20 2013 |

 julito

julito

Argentina

OLA, hello, in Argentina we have a saying”billetera mata galán” it translates as ” wallet kills hunk”   you got my drift ?  lol

11:45 PM Mar 19 2013 |

nemesiscjw1962

Bangladesh

Well I think ages never be the problem. Even you have a boy/girlfriend who be your own age, it doesn’t mean they’re perfect to you. If you want to get along with your lover,I think the most important thing is let they know what you want or need. Communication, that’s what I mean.

11:34 PM Mar 19 2013 |

ola33

ola33

Japan

Julito, according to the bride’s happy mood, she will have a happy ending too. You got my drift ;)


 

10:41 PM Mar 19 2013 |

 julito

julito

Argentina

Mahtab, hello.  the picture that you have posted is hilarious. I thing that after all this old man  may have a happy ending (you know what a mean)  looool.   

09:27 PM Mar 19 2013 |

1 person likes this

kareem_10

kareem_10

Egypt

Although I’m against that whole dating thing!!!..I really think that the age has nothing to do with the fact that two people are in love with each other..maturity is not measured by age..it’s the understanding between the couple what determines the maturity of the relationship..the chemistry that gathers them on their commonalities..and makes them condone each other’s mistakes..!!!

09:14 PM Mar 19 2013 |

rija ali

rija ali

Pakistan

i dont think age really matters,or anything else for that matter as long as two people love each other.

06:26 PM Mar 19 2013 |

marstanf

marstanf

Argentina

In those cases where there is true love, age is no more than a number, it means nothing. I should use the phrase “robbing a cradle” when the youngest person is too immature, or at some other disadvantage.


I know what I’m talking about, my husband is 14 years my senior, no big trouble with that. We get along just fine. 

06:08 PM Mar 19 2013 |

Mahtab.bp

Mahtab.bp

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

I do not like to see couples who have a big age difference specially when its more than 20!!!!


The men who rob a cradle make me sick specially when the girl is too young and man is too old!!! Also vice versa!


This kind of love is impulsive ( if its not for money or other opportunities that man brings for girl) and they will be bored of eachother very soon!


But there are always some exceptions! ;)


http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OppP6XGZ31U/TgbIBtWxbjI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/oR-LDTyoxw8/s1600/old+man+young+woman.jpg


05:30 PM Mar 19 2013 |

 julito

julito

Argentina

One of the disadvantages  that comes  when  a man is dating  a girl much younger than him  is  that other people unaware of their relationship might  think that  the girl is his daughter  . I have made this mistake  ,telling a woman that  i had been talking with her father , she dind´t say  a word and lately i came to know that it was her husband. Embarrassing !!!!!

04:20 PM Mar 19 2013 |

FUN777

FUN777

Egypt

Ok, i think there’s no specific rules in relationships, so if there is a relationship like this it should has things in common between the couple to enable them to make their relationship successful, but in general i think there is no impossible in love we gotta give it a try first and see what will happen later. 

01:57 PM Mar 19 2013 |

Golnoosh

Golnoosh

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

I think it’s possible but big diffrence of age  is not good because they will have


generation GAP with each other…love is not every thing however it’s first importance for starting…  

12:51 PM Mar 19 2013 |

Lily_Qian

China

When someone falls in love with another, all the problems are not a problem, such as age , distance, height, looks. My husband is 10 years older than me. We married 4 years, I never found any problems between us. On the contrary, he takes care of me more in daily life.

12:48 PM Mar 19 2013 |

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