LE_listening_C1_Birthday_parties

Two friends, Charles and Dora, discuss celebrating birthdays. Charles doesn't want to have a party because he doesn't want the hassle of organizing it. Dora thinks he should celebrate because getting older is better than the alternative. Charles thinks celebrating birthdays is self-indulgent. Dora mentions her experience organizing her child's party and the pressure to make it unique. They reminisce about their own childhood parties. Charles realizes he might enjoy a kid-style party and decides to have one this year. This recording is from the British Council. The big 4-0, Charles! Oh, it's your 40th! Are you planning a party? Nah, I never celebrate birthdays. I don't see why this one should be any different. Why not? Well, first, you know me, I can't be bothered with the hassle. It's my birthday, but I'm supposed to do all the hard work. Contacting people, finding a venue, organising food, worrying who will show up. No thanks. Ah, someone's angling for a surprise party, eh, Dora? Marco, stop! Even worse, having to pretend to be delighted 50 people just sprang up in your living room when you thought you were coming home to put your feet up. Probably having a heart attack at the shop. Note to self, never to organise your surprise party. OK, then. You've got to do something, though, Charles. It's your 40th. Why? What's so great about getting old? Er, still being here to have your birthday? Yeah, ageing is better than the alternative, as they say. Yeah, and it's true. So why not celebrate? You guys can have parties for your 40th, if you like. I just don't go in for that kind of self-indulgent attention-seeking. Wow, that's a bit harsh. I had a huge bash for my 30th, and you came, and enjoyed yourself, if I recall. Are you trying to say I was just doing it for attention? Not exactly, but, well, at least a small part of you must have been. Remind me not to invite you to my 40th, then, so you won't have to put up with my huge ego while I feed you and provide free drinks all night, because I thought we were friends. I meant... I mean, not all attention-seeking is bad. It's just not my style, is all. But it is mine. Anyway... I didn't say that. Uh, yes, yes you did. You said celebrating birthdays is self-indulgent and... Guys, guys, who knew birthdays was such a touchy subject? Speaking of which, I have to sort out my nine-year-old's party the weekend after next. Now, that's a party I'd love to organise. Really? It's a nightmare. It's not like when we were kids. Now you have to take them all rock climbing, or hire makeup artists to come and teach them how to look like a zombie or a film star, and there'd be trouble if someone else in school had the same kind of party and your kid gets accused of copying. That fear you said about no-one turning up? It's a million times worse when you're scared your kid is going to have no-one turn up. Is there that much pressure? Yeah, it's crazy. Last year, I got it right with a cinema trip. Simple, but always a winner. But we can't do the same thing again, apparently. It says it in my official laws for nine-year-olds book. I've got so many fond memories of birthday parties as a kid. Party food and games and watching cartoons until your parents arrived. Trust me, your parents were stressing out. At the risk of restarting the argument, when do you think you stopped enjoying birthdays then? I don't know, really. Somewhere around moving away from home and getting a job and being a grown-up. I don't mean birthdays are immature. I mean it takes a while to make new friends, and so birthdays just become more low-key, and it's drinks with a couple of friends or dinner or something. And I just got out of the habit, I guess. Maybe I just need to have a kid-style party like we used to have, play musical chairs and eat pineapple and cheese on sticks and all that. Very retro. I bet people would love that. Yeah, they would. Well, I would anyway. And maybe it'll catch on with my kids and it'll start a new party trend. You've got me thinking. It's not a terrible idea. Maybe I will have a party this year. This recording is from the British Council. To find more activities to practice your English, visit www.britishcouncil.org forward slash learnenglish.