bargain hunting. If you spend time in the shops looking for items to buy at the lowest price, you go bargain hunting.
"During the sales I go bargain hunting with my friends!"
it's a bargain. Said when an article is well below the usual price.
"That handbag goes beautifully with the dress, and at that price it's a bargain!"
I can't afford it. If you can't afford something you don't have enough money to buy it.
"I'd love that jacket but I can't afford it!"
it costs an arm and a leg. If an article or service costs an arm and a leg, it is very expensive indeed.
"The diamond engagement ring cost an arm and a leg!"
it costs a fortune. Something that costs a fortune is very expensive.
"Look at the price of that bag - it costs a fortune!"
it's a steal.The expression 'it's a steal'' means that something is so cheap that it’s almost as if you haven't paid anything for it.
"At that price it's a steal. You won't find it cheaper in any other shop."
it's good value for money. Something that is good value for money is worth the money spent on it.
"The quality is excellent so it's good value for money."
it's a bit pricey. The expression a bit pricey means that something is a bit expensive.
"Their clothes are a bit pricey but they have a wonderful selection"
it's a rip-off. Something that costs much more than it should is called a rip-off.
"$10 for an orange juice? That's a rip-off!"
shop around. If you shop around, you visit a number of shops selling similar articles in order to compare the prices.
"You can usually save money by shopping around."
shop till you drop. If you shop till you drop, you go shopping for a very long time, until you are exhausted.
"If you go to London with Ashley, you'll shop till you drop, so take comfortable shoes!"
shopping spree. If you go on a shopping spree, you enjoy a lively outing, usually with much spending of money.
"Liza is planning to go on a shopping spree as soon as she gets her bonus."
shopping therapy. The term shopping therapy refers to the idea that buying things can make you feel better.
"A little shopping therapy can usually cheer up bored teenagers."
splash out. If you splash out on something, you buy it even though it costs a lot of money.
"When he got a promotion Andy splashed out on a brand new car."
window shopping. When people go window shopping, they look at things in shop windows, without actually purchasing anything.
"I haven't been paid yet, so I can only go window shopping."
Conversation Questions:
●Do you like shopping? For what kinds of things?
●Have you ever spent too much? What did you buy? How did you feel afterwards?
●How long do you usually shop for? Do you try to get your shopping done as fast as possible?
●Do you shop online? What kinds of things do you buy online? What would you rather buy in person?
●Think about the most expensive thing you have ever bought. Was it worth what you paid for it?
●Do you prefer to shop alone or with other people? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?
●Who does the grocery shopping in your household? How often do they do it?
●Are you a bargain hunter? Do you get excited about sales and discounts? When are the best sales in your country?
●Which do you prefer? Buying things for yourself or for other people?
●Do you collect points or stamps at any stores? Which loyalty programs are worthwhile?
●In the United States, the Friday after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday and is famous for big sales and aggressive behaviour by shoppers. Have you ever had any problems with other shoppers?
●Shoplifting is when someone takes something from a shop without paying. How common is this crime in your country? How do shops try to prevent shoplifting?
●Have you ever worked in a shop? What was the store selling? Does that kind of job suit you?
●If you were to open your own shop, what kinds of things would you like to sell?
●Have you ever returned something to the shop you bought it from? Why did you return it? Did you get a refund?
●Do you care where products are made? Do you prefer to buy things which are made in your own country? Why or why not?
●Some countries have late-night or all-night shopping. What time of day do you like to shop?
●Have you been shopping abroad? Which are the best cities for shopping?
Every year in November, people look for bargains on Black Friday. But did you know that the same day is also Buy Nothing Day?
Thanksgiving combines the traditions of different groups of people. Travellers and migrants brought different religious traditions from Europe to the United States and Canada. Several celebrations are claimed as the first Thanksgiving. The best known is the celebration held by the pilgrims in what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts after their journey across the Atlantic Ocean on the famous Mayflower ship. Like the pilgrims, many groups held days of prayer, fasting or feasting to give thanks for successfully making the long boat journey. Later, settlers celebrated their successful harvest in a new land by holding feasts with their Native American neighbours. Over time, the Canadian and American traditions have become similar and developed into the modern holiday of Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving today
In Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October. In the United States, it is on the fourth Thursday in November. Although its origins are religious, today, Thanksgiving is a largely secular holiday. For most Americans and Canadians, it is a day for coming together with family and friends to share a large meal. It is an occasion to spend time with loved ones and express gratitude for the year that has passed. In many households there is a tradition of everyone seated at the table sharing what they are most grateful for.
Thanksgiving food
Thanksgiving is also about food. Thanksgiving dinner traditionally includes roast turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and, for dessert, apple, pumpkin or pecan pies. Every family has its own recipes, sometimes secret recipes handed down through generations. Turkey, a bird native to North America, is the unofficial mascot of Thanksgiving, with roast turkey on the menu and turkey decorations on the wall. In the United States, a tradition of gifting turkeys to the President has more recently evolved into a humorous turkey ‘pardoning’. At this light-hearted ceremony, the President issues an official pardon for one or two turkeys, saving them from being cooked for supper.
More than food: football, parades and traffic jams!
Beyond food and gratitude, there are some unexpected sides to the American and Canadian holiday. One of these is football. This popular sport is an important part of the holiday, when families gather around to cheer on local or national teams. American football and Canadian football are both similar to rugby, played primarily not with the feet but with the hands.
Parades are another common part of the festivities. In the United States, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade takes place in New York City on the morning of Thanksgiving. It’s one of the world’s largest parades and is broadcast nationwide. A similar Thanksgiving parade happens in Canada as part of the Kitchener–Waterloo Oktoberfest, a multi-day autumn festival.
Unfortunately, heavy traffic is also common at Thanksgiving. In both countries, the week of Thanksgiving is one of the most popular travel times of the year, as everyone heads home to visit their extended family. So try to avoid any road trips if you’re visiting North America during this holiday!
If you spend time in the shops looking for items to buy at the lowest price, you go bargain hunting. "During the sales I go bargain hunting with my friends!"
it's a bargain
Said when an article is well below the usual price. "That handbag goes beautifully with the dress, and at that price it's a bargain!"
I can't afford it
If you can't afford something you don't have enough money to buy it. "I'd love that jacket but I can't afford it!"
it costs an arm and a leg
If an article or service costs an arm and a leg, it is very expensive indeed. "The diamond engagement ring cost an arm and a leg!"
it costs a fortune
Something that costs a fortune is very expensive. "Look at the price of that bag - it costs a fortune!"
it's a steal
The expression 'it's a steal'' means that something is so cheap that it’s almost as if you haven't paid anything for it. "At that price it's a steal. You won't find it cheaper in any other shop."
it's good value for money
Something that is good value for money is worth the money spent on it. "The quality is excellent so it's good value for money."
it's a bit pricey
The expression a bit pricey means that something is a bit expensive. "Their clothes are a bit pricey but they have a wonderful selection"
it's a rip-off
Something that costs much more than it should is called a rip-off. "$10 for an orange juice? That's a rip-off!"
shop around
If you shop around, you visit a number of shops selling similar articles in order to compare the prices. "You can usually save money by shopping around."
shop till you drop
If you shop till you drop, you go shopping for a very long time, until you are exhausted. "If you go to London with Ashley, you'll shop till you drop, so take comfortable shoes!"
shopping spree
If you go on a shopping spree, you enjoy a lively outing, usually with much spending of money. "Liza is planning to go on a shopping spree as soon as she gets her bonus."
shopping therapy
The term shopping therapy refers to the idea that buying things can make you feel better. "A little shopping therapy can usually cheer up bored teenagers."
splash out
If you splash out on something, you buy it even though it costs a lot of money. "When he got a promotion Andy splashed out on a brand new car."
window shopping
When people go window shopping, they look at things in shop windows, without actually purchasing anything. "I haven't been paid yet, so I can only go window shopping."
Conversation
Questions:
●Do you like shopping? For what
kinds of things?
●Have you ever spent too much?
What did you buy? How did you feel afterwards?
●How long do you usually shop
for? Do you try to get your shopping done as fast as possible?
●Do you shop online? What kinds
of things do you buy online? What would you rather buy in person?
●Think about the most expensive
thing you have ever bought. Was it worth what you paid for it?
●Do you prefer to shop alone or
with other people? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?
●Who does the grocery
shopping in your household? How often do they do it?
●Are you a bargain hunter?
Do you get excited about sales and discounts? When are the best sales in your
country?
●Which do you prefer? Buying
things for yourself or for other people?
●Do you collect points or stamps
at any stores? Which loyalty programs are worthwhile?
●In the United States, the
Friday after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday and is famous for
big sales and aggressive behaviour by shoppers. Have you ever had any
problems with other shoppers?
●Shoplifting is when
someone takes something from a shop without paying. How common is this crime in
your country? How do shops try to prevent shoplifting?
●Have you ever worked in a shop?
What was the store selling? Does that kind of job suit you?
●If you were to open your own
shop, what kinds of things would you like to sell?
●Have you ever returned
something to the shop you bought it from? Why did you return it? Did you get a
refund?
●Do you care where products
are made? Do you prefer to buy things which are made in your own country? Why
or why not?
●Some countries have late-night
or all-night shopping. What time of day do you like to shop?
●Have you been shopping abroad?
Which are the best cities for shopping?
BUY NOTHING DAY
Once a year, in countries around the world,
people demonstrate their discontent with consumer culture by holding a Buy
Nothing Day. Buy Nothing Day began in 1990 in ten countries and has been
celebrated every year since then. Each year, more and more people and countries
join in the celebration. The intention is to encourage people to say no to
consumerism and to remind them that they shouldn’t be slaves to material
possessions.
On Buy Nothing Day, activists
organise various free and creative forms of entertainment to prove to people
that it is possible to have fun without spending money. Activists also pass out
colourful booklets and stick up posters to encourage people to think twice
about the dangers of consumerism. Some activists publicly cut up their credit
cards at mass demonstrations, as a protest against the pressure on people to
spend more than they can afford.
Buy Nothing Day campaigners in
the United States have also produced a special TV commercial called an “uncommercial”,
which asks people not to buy anything! However, the most imaginative suggestion
of the Buy Nothing Day activists is their “Christmas Gift Exemption Vouchers”.
The idea is to give people you love a voucher which states that they are exempt
from buying Christmas presents, on condition that they spend quality time with
you instead.
The message of Buy Nothing Day is
not supposed to be heard only once a year. Its supporters insist that the
spirit of simplicity is timeless, and they want people to fight materialism
with imagination and creativity all year round.
Question 1 Indicate whether these sentences are true or false. Justify your
answers with evidence from the text
a) The aim of the Buy Nothing Day activists is to show people how
consumerism is enslaving them.
b) The more money you spend, the more fun you have.
c) Buy Nothing Day activists try to make people aware of the dangers of
consumerism.
d) The idea behind Buy Nothing Day is to criticise materialism once a year.
Question 2 Answer
these questions in your own words:
a) Why was Buy Nothing Day created?
b) What things do activists do on Buy Nothing Day?
Question 3 Find a word or phrase in the text
that means the same as:
a) deny (par.1)
b) distribute (par. 2)
c) excused, without obligation (par. 3)
Opinion:
Are we influenced by selling
campaigns? Do people easily get carried away by advertising and marketing?
Every year in November, people look for bargains on Black Friday. But did you know that the same day is also Buy Nothing Day?
Do the preparation task first. Then read the article and do the exercises.
An item at a lower price
A person who buys
something
A person or company that
sells something
Vocabulary:
a bargain
a consumer
a customer
a discount
a shopkeeper
a price cut
a retailer
a special offer
Choose the best answer.
1. Black Friday first became popular as a shopping day because
a. there have always been special offers on that day.
b. many people in the United States don’t work or go to school on this day.
c. it is the day before Thanksgiving, an important holiday.
2. Why do some people think Black Friday is out of control?
a. Small shopkeepers offer discounts too.
b. Some people physically fight with the retailers.
c. People spend more than they can really afford.
3. To celebrate Buy Nothing Day, the rules are that you
a. don’t buy anything at all.
b. only buy from small shopkeepers.
c. think carefully about what you are buying.
4. According to the text, what should an ethical consumer probably not buy?
a. cheap clothes
b. a mobile phone
c. a winter coat
Are the sentences true or false?
1. Last year, people in the UK spent more on Black Friday than in some
other countries in Europe.
2. Some small shopkeepers find Black Friday is bad for their business.
3. Buy Nothing Day is celebrated the day before Black Friday.
4. The only reason to keep your old mobile at the end of a contract is to
save money.
5. To celebrate Buy Nothing Day, you shouldn’t go near a shopping centre.
6. The Buy Nothing Coat Exchange is not only for people who are homeless.
What is Black Friday?
Black Friday is the day after the American holiday of Thanksgiving, which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. Because it is a holiday in the United States, it has long been a popular day for consumers to start shopping for Christmas. Over the last 20 years big retailers have started to offer discounts and bargains on this day, and it has become more and more popular. Last year, people in the USA spent an estimated $54.7 billion between Black Friday and Cyber Monday (the Monday after Thanksgiving, when people often buy more online). The idea of Black Friday has also spread around the world. For example, in 2017, people in the UK spent the equivalent of $10.3 billion, in Germany $7.6 billion and in France $6.2 billion.
Is Black Friday out of control?
Many of us love to get a bargain, but some feel that events like Black Friday encourage people to buy things that they don’t really need and can’t afford. Many people seem to completely lose control of both their spending and their tempers. It is easy to find video online of customers physically fighting each other over bargains. It is also argued that Black Friday is bad for small shopkeepers, who cannot afford to offer the kinds of price cuts that the big companies can.
What’s the alternative to Black Friday?
Instead of taking the opportunity to buy as much as possible on Black Friday, you could do the opposite and buy absolutely nothing. Since 1997, Buy Nothing Day has been held on the same day as Black Friday. The rules are simple. Just don’t buy anything at all for 24 hours. Many people are surprised how difficult this actually is. The aim is to make people think more about their spending and to make better decisions about what they buy and where they buy it from.
Ethical spending
As well as spending less and not buying unnecessary items, Buy Nothing Day aims to raise awareness of how to be a more ethical consumer. For example, you can avoid buying ‘fast fashion’, that is, very cheap clothes that are worn a few times before being thrown away. Or you could decide not to automatically upgrade your mobile at the end of a contract. These kinds of decisions can help to protect the environment as well as saving you money.
What else can you do on Buy Nothing Day?
Some people carry out protests at shopping centres. Others avoid the shops completely and go for a walk in nature instead. Another alternative, the Buy Nothing Coat Exchange, is an idea which is spreading. People donate winter coats throughout November and anyone who needs one can come and take one on Buy Nothing Day.
