Weighty problem

Boys don’t find me attractive, and I think the reason is that I’m fat. Ever since I was about seven, I’ve been on the chubby side, but it didn’t worry me until now. I’m quite intelligent and have lots of friends but not the type I’d like. What should I do?

Suzie, 15

Never been kissed

I’m sixteen and I have never been out with a girl. I’ve never even kissed one. My friends have had lots of girlfriends, but girls don’t seem to be interested in me. Now I tell everyone that I have a girlfriend in France, but I don’t think they believe me. What should I do?

Richard, 16

Roses are red…

I’m in love with a girl who is very attractive. A friend introduced us. She doesn’t know how I feel. I have her address and telephone number, but I don’t know what to do. Should I call her? I could send her some roses or chocolates, but I can’t decide which is better. If I send something, what should I write on the card?

Peter, 14

Ex. 3. Love is an integral part of dating. Discuss the following questions using the words and word combinations given below.

a relationship, a love affair, an amour, a romance, a liaison, an entanglement, a flirtation, an infatuation, loved one, beloved, darling, love, dear, dear one, dearly beloved, true-love, beloved object, object of one’s affection, light of one’s life, lady, ladylove, mistress, girl friend, best girl, betrothed, fiancé, fiancée, future, intended, sympathy, pity, attractive, fascinating, lovable, insensitive, cold, frigid, loveless, to adore, to bore, to get tired

1. Are there many kinds of love?

2. Is there a difference between the love we feel for our family and the love we feel for our lovers, wives, husbands?

3. Christianity teaches “Love one another”. Is Christian love another kind of love? Or is this something different and not love at all?

4. Is there a real difference between deep friendship and love?

5. Is it possible to live without love?

6. Do you find it more important to love or to be loved?

7. A question for men: What is an attractive woman? Are these qualities important for you?

tenderness, beauty, intelligence, a sense of humour, an interesting personality

8. A question for women: What is an attractive man? Are these qualities important for you?

politeness and friendliness, good looks, money, strength, intelligence, an interesting personality

9. Are these important factors in preserving love? What other factors would you add to the list?

caring for each other, maturity, honesty, not always being together

10. Are these important factors in causing love to die? What other factors would you add to the list?

She began to bore me. He was always interested in himself. He stopped paying attention to me. She lied to me.

Ex. 4. Read the following proverbs and quotations. Agree or disagree with them. Say which of them appeal to you. Why?

1. It is love that makes the world go round.

2. Men are best loved farthest off.

3. Love is the fulfilling of the law. (the Bible)

4. Love is two souls with but a single thought, two hearts that beat as one.

5. “Love is just like measles; we all have to go through it.” (Jerome K. Jerome)

6. Love is a malady without cure.

7. Love lives in cottages as well as in courts.

8. Love does much, but money does everything.

9. Love lasts as long as money endures.

10. One cannot love and be wise.

11. Love is blind. Love sees no fault.

12. Love makes a wit of a fool.

13. Never rely on love or weather.

14. Love is a game in which both players cheat.

15. Long absent, soon forgotten.

Ex. 5. Speak on the following point.

In many foreign countries and in our country too there are marriage bureaus which arrange marriages between lonely people. What is your opinion about their usefulness?

Ex. 6. Fill in the form “Computer Dating Bureau” (see Appendix, Unit 2).