Lesson 3: A Break Up
July and Peter have been going out for two years,
but the relationship is getting a little rocky.
Finally, July decides it’s time to have a little
chat.
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Read the conversation.
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Peter: Hi July, would
you like to come out for a coffee with me?
July: Peter, I think
we need to talk.
Peter: Yeah sure, what’s
up sweety?
July: I want to talk
about us, our relationship. I’m not happy Peter,
I haven’t been for a while. It’s just
not working any more.
Peter: I thought everything
was sweet. We get on like a house on fire,
don’t we? I mean, every couple has their ups
and downs don’t they, but that’s
par for the course. Like, a few tiffs,
the occasional shouting match – that’s
normal.
July: No Peter! No! Our
problems are serious. I can’t put up with it
any more. I’ve had it, I’ve had it up
to here with the way you treat me.
Peter: What do you mean
baby? What are you talking about? You are my princess.
July: Don’t try
to sweet-talk me, Peter. Look, I’ll
tell you what I’m talking about. You are a typical
ocker – your mates and your
sport are more important than me.
Peter: Whoa!
Just a minute, a bloke needs his
mates. You’re always going out with the girls.
July: I knew you’d
take that tack, but it’s
like comparing chalk and cheese.
I go out with my friends about once a month, and you
have your cards session every Friday night, cricket
on Sunday and Wednesday arvo, and
your friend Robbo is always hanging around
your place. I mean, get real Peter, you should marry
Robbo, you spend much more time together than we do.
Peter: Oh fair
go July, that’s a bit below
the belt. Robbo is a bloke!
July: Listen, this is
about more than your mates. It’s about how you
treat me. I need you to treat me the way a woman needs
to be treated.
Peter: OK, so you’re
saying you want me to give you more flowers and chocolate
and stuff?
July: No you dope!
Well yes, of course flowers would be nice occasionally,
but that would be asking too much, wouldn’t
it! No, I need a man who cares about how I feel, who
listens to my problems and doesn’t just think
I’m whingeing. I don’t
think you even look at me any more.
Peter: Yes I do, I’ve
got eyes only for you.
July: OK, lets check
then. I’ve changed something about myself today,
what is it?
Peter: OK, um, let me
see, um…
July: Yes, take your
time.
Peter: Right, OK, um,
oh yeah, I know – new dress!
July: Try again!
Peter: Oh right, new
coloured lipstick?
July: I’m not wearing
any, Peter!
Peter: Oh, right, OK,
you’ve got me, I don’t
know. What have you changed?
July: Nothing much, it’s
just that my hair was blond yesterday, and today it’s
black!
Peter: Oops, really?
Oh yeah, looks great!
July: Too late! It’s
over Peter. Our relationship is over.
Peter: Baby, you mean
you’re giving me the flick?
July: Yes Peter,
I’m moving on. We’ll go out for
a last coffee, but it’s our last one!
Peter: Oh, the coffee,
sorry, I don’t have time now, Robbo and I are
going to watch the cricket.
July: Ok, well I think
my decision was spot on. Goodbye
Peter, have a good life.
Peter: B…b…
Find out the meaning of the words used in the conversation
by reading below.
A rocky relationship = a relationship
which is in a lot of trouble, eg: arguing, etc
Sweety = a term of affection. Also:
darling, sweethaeart, baby, etc
Get on like a house on fire = get
on really well
Ups and downs = good times and bad
times
Par for the course = the usual situation
(comes from golfing language)
Tiffs = small arguments
I’ve had it up to here = I
have had enough; I am very discontented
Sweet talk someone = make someone
happy by saying nice things to them
An ocker = an uncultured Australian
who drinks too much beer, uses a lot of slang and
loves sport
Whoa = telling someone to stop talking
or doing something (originally said to horses to make
them stop)
A bloke = a man
Take that tack = take that line of
argument
Like comparing chalk and cheese =
you can’t compare two things because they are
completely different
Arvo = afternoon
Hanging around = spending time, not
doing anything specific
Fair go = don’t be mean/unfair
Below the belt = unfair, cruel (comes
from wrestling language)
A dope = a stupid person
Whingeing = complaining
Eyes only for you = only care about
you and no-one else
You’ve got me = I don’t
know the answer
Give someone the flick = stop having
a relationship with someone, drop someone
I’m moving on = I’m getting
on with the next part of my life
Spot on = exactly right
In the following sentences, choose the best meaning
for the bold words or expressions.
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