Russian man sues ex-girlfriend for expenses incurred on dates

Pre discussion questions

Why would a boyfriend sue his girlfriend?

What do you think is strange about this story?

Nina had been hoping her boyfriend would ask her to marry him.

A Russian man from Siberia is suing his ex-girlfriend for dating costs he incurred. He said these costs were for all the dates they had over their two-year relationship.

Nina told Russian television that her relationship with the young Siberian lawyer had broken down. That the relationship went awry when they went on a romantic seaside holiday.

She had expected him to propose after two years together. But talks about their future had only led to an argument. She dumped him because he failed to ask her to marry.

She said that they went to the seaside resort for 12 days and agreed that it was a romantic holiday.  She expected him to propose marriage. But it didn't happen. So she left, she told Russia's Prima TV between tears and giggles.

A few weeks later she received court papers. Her ex-boyfriend had meticulously recorded flower shop, restaurant and café receipts during their time together. He demanded she repay all the money he had spent.

The total amount claimed was 45,000 roubles, or $675. This  included legal fees payable to him.

Siberia's local court dismissed his first claim. But he has now made an appeal to have the court listen again.

He said he never thought of Nina as his girlfriend. And he said they only had  a working relationship.

He said that Nina can't prove that they were in a relationship. And he said he wanted to remain unnamed.  He said he never said he was giving her anything free. Is it immoral to go to court?, he said. “Am I expected to give money to every woman on the street?"

Try to guess the meaning of the words in bold and match them with their closest meaning from the choices in the right. Some of the answers are very close and have similar meaning. The meaning of these words is how they are used in the reading. Some of these words have different meanings in the dictionary depending on how they are used.

 The answers are below the table.

A=3, B=1, C=8, D=5, E=2, F=7, G=6, H=4

Some example sentences using the new words or phrases from the meaning of how they are used in the reading to help you understand better.

1.      I have incurred many fines for my bad driving.

2.      Sadly, my friendship has broken down.

3.      His calculations have gone awry.

4.      My boss has dumped a lot of work on me.

5.      Young girls giggle when they meet a handsome entertainer.

6.      Accountants need to be meticulous with numbers.

7.      The teacher dismissed the class ten minutes early because they had worked hard.

8.      It is immoral to ask them to pay especially as it was not their fault.

Some questions using the new words/phrases. Try to use the words/phrases in your answer.

1.      Do you think it is fair for the boyfriend to ask for money for the costs he incurred on dates? Why or why not?

2.      Why do you think relationships break down?

3.      How would you feel if your relationship went awry like in the story?

4.      What do you do if your boss or teacher dumps a lot of work on you?

5.      Do you giggle? What do you giggle about?

6.      In what jobs is it important to be meticulous?

7.      Why do you think the court dismissed the man’s claim?

8.      Do you think the man’s actions are immoral? Why? Do you think she had some immoral actions? Who do you think is wrong in this story?