18. Complaining about a Tour

Exercise 1 Practice reading the following words and word combinations. Be sure in their pronunciation. Learn them by heart.

What seems to be the problem?	В чем проблема?
so far	до сих пор
out-of-the-way	захолустный, неподходящий
to make it up to you	не остаться в долгу, загладить вину
to come up	неожиданно возникнуть
to smooth out any difficulties	сгладить любые трудности
to your liking	на ваш вкус
pretty substandard	довольно некачественные
to put up with	мириться с
to take pride in	гордиться ч-л.
unacceptable	неприемлемо

Exercise 2 Learn the following dialogues

1

A: I am having some big problems on this tour. B: What seems to be the problem? We are here to help you. A: This tour company seems very disorganized. No one seems to have a clear picture as to where we are going and when we are going to get there. B: I will see what I can do about that. How about the accommodations on the tour? A: So far, we have been staying in really out-of-the-way accommodations. B: Is anything wrong with your room? A: The television in our room was broken, and they didn't send anyone to fix it. B: I will complain to the hotel manager about that. How about the hotel restaurant? A: The food in the restaurant was terrible, and a few people from our group got sick. B: I am so sorry that you had such a bad experience. We would like to offer you a free city tour and lunch to make it up to you. 2

A: I paid good money for this tour and would appreciate some help with some problems that have come up. B: I would like to help you smooth out any difficulties you are having. What can I help you with? A: This tour company can't seem to coordinate anything. We are always arriving after something is closed or get there when the guides for the site are on a break. B: We are trying to fix that. Are the accommodations to your liking? A: Our accommodations are pretty substandard. B: Is there anything in particular that is wrong with your room? A: The room smelled of smoke, even though it was supposed to be a nonsmoking room. B: You should not have to put up with that. Was the hotel restaurant good? A: Actually a few people from our group got sick, and everyone thinks it was from the bad dinner that we ate. B: Our tour company takes pride in providing excellent tours. Please let me offer you a free city tour and lunch as an apology. 3

A: I would like to discuss some problems that I am having with this tour. B: I am sorry you are having a difficult time. What may I help you with? A: This tour company doesn't seem to know the town very well. We are always getting lost! B: I am sorry that that has been the case. How would you rate your accommodations? A: Our accommodations are not very pleasant. B: What don't you like about your room? A: The room was very noisy, and we couldn't get to sleep. B: That is unacceptable. Did you at least enjoy your dinner in the hotel restaurant? A: The food was horrible at the hotel restaurant, and a few of us got sick after eating there. B: I am glad that you told me about the problems. I would like you to be my guest for a free massage at the hotel spa tonight.

Exercise 3 Render the contents of the dialogue in indirect speech with the use of the highlighted words.

Exercise 4 Give all possible answers to the given phrases:

1) – What may I help you with?

–............................................

2) – Is anything wrong with your room?

–…………………………….

3) – Was the hotel restaurant good?

–…………………………….