Vocabulary notes

1. I don’t mind. – Я не возражаю.

2. asparagus [ә`spærəgәs] – спаржа

3. in a couple of minutes – через пару минут

4. wine steward – разносчик вина

5. iced orange juice – апельсиновый сок со льдом

6. starter – первое блюдо

7. shrimp – креветка

Shopping

Buying Goods

1. A: Are you being served?

B: No. What have you got in the way of brown suede jackets, size 42?

A: Sorry, but we’re sold right out.

B: Are you likely to be getting any more in?

A: I should think so, yes. If you leave your phone number, I’ll ring you.

2. A: Is anybody looking after you?

B: No. I’m after a size 40 V-neck pullover in grey.

A: The best I can do is a 36.

B: Could you order me one?

A: I should imagine, yes. If you leave your address, I’ll contact you.

3. A: Are you being seen to?

B: No. I’m looking for a pinstriped suit with a 34 waist.

A: I’m afraid I can’t help you at the moment.

B: Will you be having any more in?

A: I doubt it, but you might be lucky at our High Street branch.

4. A: Could you help me, please?

B: What can I do for you?

A: Could I look at the wristwatch in this case?

B: Just one moment, please, while I get the key.

5. A: Do you wish some assistance?

B: Yes. How much is that pen?

A: This one or that one?

B: The one next to the black one.

A: It’s 90 p.

B: May I look at your other pens?

A: Certainly. Fountain-pens or ball-point pens?

B: I’m looking for a good fountain-pen.

Buying Food

1. A: What can I get for you?

B: A pound of lump sugar, please.

A: And what next, please?

B: A packet of corn flakes, please. And yes, I’ll want some tea and also a dozen of

eggs, please.

A: Is there anything else?

B: A packet of detergent, a small size, please.

A: Are all right for butter and margarine?

B: No, thank you. That’s all for the moment.

2. A: Will that be all?

B: Oh, no. I’d like a pound of lean smoked bacon, please.

A: Will this do? It’s all we have at the moment, I’m afraid.

B: No, it’s much too fat. I’d better take some ham instead. How much is it?

A: Forty-three a pound.

B: That’s rather expensive. I’d better take eight ounces, please.

3. A: I want a tin of cocoa.

B: This brand is very popular, madam, I can recommend it.

A: I can see you’ve got a new kind of instant coffee.

B: It’s just come in. You might have seen it advertised on television. A large tin

or a small one, madam?

A: A large one, please. Have you got any powdered milk?

B: We’ve run out of it at the moment, I’m afraid.

I Have a Complaint

Salesgirl: Yes, madam? May I help you?

Linda: Yes, about the sweater. I bought it here last month. A few days ago I

washed it and the colour ran and the sweater shrank.

Salesgirl: Hmm. You must have washed it in boiled water.

Linda: No, I didn’t, I followed the washing instructions! I washed it in lukewarm

water, just as the label said I should.

Salesgirl: Well, I’m afraid I can’t exchange it for you.

Linda: Why not?... Well, then I’d like to see the manager.

Salesgirl: I’m afraid he’s busy.

Linda: I’m sorry but I’d like to see him.

Salesgirl: Very well. If you insist. One moment.

(She goes for the manager.)

Manager: Yes, madam. May I help you?

Linda: …about this sweater. When I washed, the colour ran and the sweater

shrank even though I followed the instructions.

Manager: Really? This has never happened before.

Linda: There’s always the first time, isn’t there?

Manager: I, I really don’t see what we can do.

Linda: Excuse me, isn’t there a poster over there?

Manager: Yes, what about it?

Linda: It says “We give our customers satisfaction”.

Manager: Yes, I know what it says.

Linda: Well, this store is supposed to give their customers satisfaction! But I am

not satisfied.

Manager: I, hmm. There’s a flaw in this sweater. One of the threads is a different

colour.

Linda: Is it? I can’t see.

Manager: Yes, there’s definitely a flaw there. All right, madam. We’ll exchange it

for you, but only because of the flaw.