| William: | Hello and welcome to The English we Speak, I'm William. |
| Feifei: | And I'm Feifei. William, what are you doing with that suitcase and flowers and boxes of chocolates? |
| William: | Oh, well I'm spending the weekend with my wife's parents so I thought I'd better get something for my mother-in-law. |
| Feifei: | Oh I see! A weekend with the in-laws. |
| William: | And I'm going to do a bit of decorating and gardening for them too. |
| Feifei: | Wow, you really are trying to earn some brownie points, aren't you? William is trying to get praise and approval by doing something for them. |
| William: | Yes, I'm trying to earn some brownie points. |
| Feifei: | To earn some brownie points. 'Brownie points' are badges young girls who are members of a youth organisation called 'The Brownies' earn for doing good things for others. Now we use that term generally to mean 'trying to get praise for our actions'. |
| William: | Yes, you see I'm not sure if my mother-in-law really ... likes me that much. So that's why I'm trying to earn some brownie points. Maybe she'll change her attitude towards me. |
| Feifei: | Oh dear. Yes, maybe you'll get some approval from her. |
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| Man: | Look at Gary. He keeps offering to do extra work—even at weekends
Woman: Well he's hoping to earn a few brownie points with the bosses. There's a new position opening up and I reckon he'll apply for it. |
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| Feifei: | He's been offering to do extra work to impress his bosses. It's because there's an opportunity for a promotion coming up. |
| William: | But to earn brownie points is more than just doing someone a favour. |
| Feifei: | Yes, the expression means you're trying to get approval from someone. It's also quite a light-hearted and informal expression. |
| William: | When was the last time you earned brownie points from someone, Feifei? |
| Feifei: | Oh I don't try to get other people's approval. |
| William: | Hmm, really? So you don't really care what people think about you? |
| Feifei: | No, not at all. But William, you've got so much stuff with you. Are you taking the train to your in-laws' house? Can I give you a lift to the station? |
| William: | Oh thanks! That's really kind of you, Feifei. I was beginning to think you were a bit selfish but now I can see you're quite generous. Ah, I understand! |
| Feifei: | Yes, I'm trying to earn some brownie points! |
| William: | Well, you succeeded! Goodbye! |
| Feifei: | Bye! |
