Typical Dialogues

AUDIO TYPICALDIALOGUESANSWERS ON PAGE 50

THE CLOTHES SHOP

Here’s a typical dialogue with lots of useful vocabulary and expressions to use when you’re buying things in a shop. In this scene Mr Jones is in a shop trying on a few clothes. Listen to the dialogue and answer these questions (answers on page 50):

1. What clothes does the man try on? 2. What does he buy in the end? 3. Who is the customer who rips the shirts?

Mr Jones: Good afternoon. I was looking for a new jacket. Shop: Were you looking for something formal, or some thing more casual? Mr Jones: Erm, formal, please. Shop: OK, how about this jacket? Mr Jones: Yes, that looks nice. Shop: And look, sir, this shirt would go really well with it. Mr Jones: Mmm… OK. Can I try the jacket on? Shop: Yes, of course, the changing rooms are just over there. (five minutes later) How does it feel, sir? Mr Jones: Yes, the jacket seems to fit quite well around the shoulders, but it’s a bit short on the arms. Shop: We can alter it for you. Now how about that shirt? Did you have a chance to try it on? Mr Jones: No, I’m just going to put it on now. (slow ripping sound) Shop: Hello? Sir? Are you alright? (more ripping) Mr Jones: Yes, I’m fine, it’s just the shirt is a bit tight. (more ripping) Shop: Well, I wouldn’t force it on, sir. May I have a look? Mr Jones: Sorry, it was a bit small and I tried to get it on. Shop: Oh yes, you have made a real mess of that one. Here, I’ll get you a bigger one. Try this on. It should fit much better. But please be careful. Mr Jones: OK, thanks. (more ripping) Shop: Sir, what’s that noise I can hear? Mr Jones: Oh, nothing. (more ripping) Shop: Sir, is the shirt too small? Mr Jones: No. (more ripping) Shop: Are you ripping that shirt sir? Mr Jones: No. (more ripping) Shop: Yes you are. (Mr Jones comes out) Look at it, it’s all torn. You’ll have to pay for that. Mr Jones: No I won’t. Shop: Yes, you will. You ripped that shirt deliberately. Mr Jones: You told me to put it on. And besides, I don’t like it. I’m not paying for it. Manager: Is there a problem here, Jenkins? Shop: Yes, this man just ripped two of our shirts. Manager: Very well. Come along, Mr Jones. That’s enough ripping for today, I think. Mr Jones: OK, bye. Shop: Who the hell was that? Manager: He’s Mr Jones, the owner’s son. He’s got this hate-obsession with clothes - something to do with his childhood. In future, just page me when he turns up. Shop: Very well, madam. Anything you say, madam.

G L O S S A R Y

to try on phr vb to put on clothes to see if they are good for you erm exp this is the noise that people make while they are thinking about what to say next to go well with exp if one item of clothing “goes well” with another item, they look good together a changing room n a room where you can try clothes on to fit vb if clothes “fit” you, they are perfect for your size a shoulder n the joint at the top of your body between your arm and your chest short on the arms exp if a shirt is “short on the arms”, the sleeves of the shirt are too short for your arms to alter vb to change; to make adjustments a chance n an opportunity a ripping sound exp to “rip” is to break material or paper. In this case, a “ripping sound” is the sound of someone breaking clothes tight adj if clothing is “tight”, it is too small for you to make a real mess of something exp to really destroy something torn adj with holes in the material the hell exp offens this expression is used to show you are angry the owner n the person who controls and possesses the business to page someone exp a “pager” is an electronic device that makes a noise when someone is calling you. It is used to “page” people, and to tell them to telephone you to turn up phr vb to arrive