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Thrifting

Thrifting

Date: Dec 14 2007

Themes: Fashion

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

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

Think of that favorite sweater or pair of jeans you’ve had for years. What if you lost it or it got worn out? Would you be able to replace it at a store?

Believe it or not, your best bet would probably be a thrift store. Thrift stores sell used clothes and household items. They’re also called secondhand stores. You can find things there they don’t make anymore.

A lot of thrift stores are run by churches and charities. People donate things they don’t want anymore to the store and all the money the store makes goes to the charity.

Listen to Marni and Jason talk about thrift stores.

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.

Marni

Marni

Jason

Jason

Marni:  So I got these shoes at a thrift store, a new thrift store that opened up recently.

Jason:  A new one?

Marni:  Yeah.

Jason:  Cool.

Marni:  There’s always new thrift stores opening up. You ever notice that?

Jason:  Really?

Marni:  Yeah. I think this area is very thrift-store oriented.

Jason:  Definitely. It’s cool because you can get things from the past that you can’t get anywhere else.

Marni:  It’s true.

Jason:  Like, I’ve get these really big blue gloves that I use for biking that are really waterproof but like, no one makes like, tacky blue gloves anymore, you know?

Marni:  Yeah, you basically have to find that kind of stuff at thrift stores.

Jason:  Yeah. The only problem is the effort it takes to find it. Going through the entire thrift store in search of that one treasure.

Marni:  You can’t go in lightly. You have to be ready to commit and sift through everything. I kind of love it. I have to be in the mindset of going and thrifting but I find if you’re up for it, you find great stuff.

Jason:  It just takes a long time. It’s really dusty sometimes.

Marni:  I know people who wear gloves. It kinda makes sense because sometimes you’re like, “Who was wearing this before? It could be some skanky old guy.” And yeah…like, you know, “Who was sitting on this before and what did they do on this couch?”

Jason:  Eh, it’s the same as a hotel or restaurant or something.

Marni:  I guess, but I figure a hotel at least you’re paying for it so hope that maybe somebody else was a little more…Yeah, now I’m kinda creeped out about hotels too. I’m probably just never gonna go to one again. Only stay in five stars. Yeah. that’s not gonna happen.

 

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Discussion

Marni’s shoes came from a new thrift store. Jason is surprised that a new thrift store opened because they’re often very old and dingy. But Marni reminds him that people in Portland (where Marni and Jason live) are particularly interested in thrifting.

Jason likes thrift stores because you can get things there that aren’t available at new stores anymore. He has a favorite pair of gloves from the 80s that he got at a thrift store.

The only problem, he says, is that since every item in a thrift store is unique, it takes a lot of searching to find anything you like. Marni says that if she gets in the right mood she enjoys searching through a thrift store. She knows people who wear gloves when they go to thrift stores because you never know where the items came from.

Furniture, particularly couches, can be a little sketchy, since the people used to own them might have done…well, who knows. It’s probably not best to think about it.

Jason points out that thrift store couches aren’t any different than furniture in a hotel room. Marni thinks about it for a second and decides she’s a little afraid of hotels too!

Have you ever found anything really great at a thrift store? How would you feel about sitting on a secondhand couch?

 

Comments

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MOSAICA

Mongolia

HI HOW ARE YOU


01:29 PM Sep 14 2011 |

ola3

ola3Super Member!

Ukraine

I would buy rare book at the thrift store, but would be creeped out about clothing and a couch also, otherwise it gotta be completely brand new. It happens in thrift stores eigther, just some sifting throuh, putting you mind to it and you have that pearl. I remember somebody donated a painting to a thrift store. oh, my I wish that man had known what a treasure he donated. The painting was sold at the auction for thousands $. Smile

03:19 AM Apr 17 2010 |

mossavi

mossavi

Afghanistan

good site and nice students. ha ha ha

06:34 PM Apr 04 2010 |

jerxiie

Philippines

I'm not rich and I'm not poor; however, I do not buy my clothes in a thrift stores, because what if the owner of the clothes or stuffs that I've bought saw me wearing it? Hahahaha! I would prefer a brand new even though it's cheap.

01:16 PM Oct 11 2009 |

lissuhui

lissuhui

Taiwan

I donated a lot of things to the charity and almost things it's looks good not feel tacky. I like thrift store and I even bought it before, it can help people and more environmental Ihope everyone care the planet where we live.

06:22 PM Oct 02 2009 |

wishtolearn

El Salvador

i dont really like going into a thrift store cos you dont know who has worn that clothing…. anyway, if somebody does, he/she certainly make sure to wash it thoroughly.

06:53 PM Sep 27 2009 |

laptop786

laptop786

India

ya its a good way to buy a secondhand things,usualy most people thinking that this is a cool way….........

03:04 PM Oct 14 2008 |

sharlotta80

Uzbekistan

Usually thrif things are the quality of being careful not to spend too much money

05:20 AM Dec 26 2007 |

sharlotta80

Uzbekistan

but i don'tlike to go to thrifting store often. Yeah, it takes a long time

05:17 AM Dec 26 2007 |

saeed330

saeed330

Saudi Arabia

I always buy second time stuff but I make sure to wash them carefully Cool

12:10 PM Dec 25 2007 |

salty

salty

Ghana

In ma opinion thrift stores are good they help ba for me i wouldn'nt go in for some already worn stuff you noe….............it;s just insane

01:34 PM Dec 20 2007 |

Agnieszka...

Poland

i’s reali cool when we can talk with every person in the world who have computer and internet,new student

11:12 AM Dec 20 2007 |

bluesnow9

China

Oh, my…

09:20 AM Dec 20 2007 |

blueskylyh

China

There are not many thrift stores in China with the exception of those which sell secondhand vehicles and computers.But I would like to buy some secondhand things expecially books in thrift stores on the internet.Not only they are cheaper than new ones in bookstores but also some of them can’t be found in the markets.There are so good.But I don’t like secondhand clothes,bags ahd shoes.I don’t know why.

06:25 AM Dec 20 2007 |

sharlotta80

Uzbekistan

Let's seak about other more importatnt things than thrifting..

05:46 AM Dec 20 2007 |

Shevo4ka

Shevo4ka

Ukraine

When u want to not like others,in Ukraine, go to secondhand store … my Prada handbag is awsome Tongue out

01:58 PM Dec 19 2007 |

Sweety lollipop

Japan

In fact, is a good idea for recycle what those stuff we no longer use. Treasure our resources is good behaviour to adopt. Frankly, i don't really like to buy stuff from thrift store, might be according what do i need to buy, such as valueble and unique stuff.

05:52 PM Dec 18 2007 |

Poli4ka

Poli4ka

Russian Federation

I`v never been to thrift stores, but after listening this dialogue i want to attend one.

01:59 PM Dec 18 2007 |

recall

China

I hope a lot of thrift-stroe has been appear in China.

Everyone people who reside in China has a habit of waste

12:23 PM Dec 18 2007 |

rosetta_akasha

China

eh, I dont think there are thrift stores in China, but I think it's a good idea

04:09 AM Dec 18 2007 |

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