Lesson Nine

What’s the date today?   It’s Tuesday “the”   28th  “of”   April

A customer buys from a shop.  The shop buys from a wholeseller.

ICA, Clas Olsson =  a retailer

I work in retail.  (=field)

Brazil was colonised by the Portuguese

a Portuguese colony

There are many beautiful walking/hiking trails in the forest.  (stig)

walking paths in a park

I cycle to work on roads and also on cycle paths/lanes.

 

jag orkar inte =

• I couldn’t face going out and so I stayed home.
• I didn’t have the energy to cook dinner so we ordered takeaway.

 

 

• Last Monday was the first lesson (= number 1)
• Last Tuesday was the second lesson (= number 2)
• Last Wednesday was the third lesson (=number 3)
• Monday was the fourth lesson  (lesson 4)
• Tuesday the fifth lesson (lesson 5)
• Wednesday was the sixth lesson (=number 6)
• Thursday was the seventh lesson   (=number 7)  seventeenth 17
• Monday was the eighth lesson (=number 8)
• Today is the ninth lesson (=number 9)
• Tomorrow will be the tenth lesson (= number 10)

 

What we did today

• Vocabulary: convenient or comfortable?
• change, exchange, replace
• Dialogues – problems and complaints

 

Fill in the blanks with either comfortable, convenient, comfort, convenience, uncomfortable or inconvenient,.

1. The chairs in the lobby are very comfortable, guests can sit and relax while waiting.
2. Our hotel is in a convenient location, just five minutes from the train station. (= makes it easy)
3. The room was clean and comfortable with a big bed and soft pillows.
4. Many business travellers choose our hotel because it is convenient for meetings in the city centre.
5. The hotel staff provided slippers and a bathrobe to make the guests feel more comfortable. “kumf-tab-bul”  (BrE pron)
6. It’s very convenient that the hotel offers a free airport shuttle service.
7. The weather was hot and humid, making everyone uncomfortable.
8. The air conditioning made the room cool and comfortable on a hot day.
9. The late check-out option is very convenient for guests with evening flights.
10. The hotel provides memory foam pillows for extra comfort
11. Having a supermarket next to the hotel is really convenient for buying snacks.
12. The website only accepts certain credit cards, which is inconvenient for many customers.
13. The hotel’s 24-hour front desk is very convenient for late-night arrivals.
14. Many guests find self-check-in machines more convenient than waiting in line.
15. The bed was too hard, and the room was too cold, so I had a very uncomfortable night
16. A good mattress is essential for a comfortable night’s sleep. kumf-ta-bull
17. She felt uncomfortable speaking in front of a large audience.
18. This hotel is located far from public transport, which is quite inconvenient for tourists.
19. The outdoor terrace has soft lighting and quiet music, making it a comfortable place to relax.
20. Online check-in is a convenient option for guests who want to save time.
21. The sofa in the suite was very comfortable after a long day of sightseeing. kumf-ta-bull junior suite, executive suite  (more luxurious)

 

22. The lack of parking near the hotel is quite inconvenient for guests arriving by car. a lack of time, a lack of money,   (= Not enough or missing)
23. The spa area is designed for maximum comfort and relaxation. kumfurt
24. It is very convenient to have a café located inside the hotel.
25. The noisy street made it difficult to sleep and quite uncomfortable for guests.
26. The hotel offers soft blankets to add extra comfort during colder nights.
27. Carrying heavy luggage up the stairs was very inconvenient without a lift.
28. The armchairs in the lounge are extremely comfortable and stylish. kumf-ta-bull
29. Having everything within walking distance is very convenient for tourists.
30. The broken air conditioner made the room very uncomfortable during summer.
31. The hotel’s mobile app is a convenient way to book services quickly. “siss”
32. The seating area was designed with guest comfort in mind.
33. It can be inconvenient / uncomfortable  to travel during peak tourist season due to crowds.
34. The beds are so comfortable that guests often comment on the high quality of sleep.
35. The location next to the highway is convenient for travelers on long journeys.

 

Discuss in breakout rooms:

• What small things make a hotel room feel more comfortable?
• How does technology make travel more convenient?
• How do airlines try to make passengers more comfortable during long flights?
• Think of a city you know well. What is the most convenient way to get around and why?
• Do you prefer using cash, credit cards, or mobile payments? Which is the most convenient and why?

 

Having tea and coffee making facilities in the hotel bedroom is important for me.

Doing daily yoga is/was a very healthy thing to do.

A high standard of cleanliness.  “klenn-li-nuss”

a kettle and teabags, sachets of instant coffee and sugar  (sash-ays)

It was the first time I had taken such a long flight.

The flight was so long.

Why is wearing flight socks so useful?    to help blood circulation to avoid blood clots     (deep vein thrombosis – DVT)

I would like to pay in cash  /  by  card   (English language inconsistencies)

I go to work by car/ go by  bus/  by train / by taxi / by tram/  by boat / by ferry /  on foot

I walk to work  –  I drive to walk  –  I fly to work – I take the bus to work

I take the commuter train  (= pendeltåg)

I take the metro to work  (Paris, Stockholm)

I take the Underground  /  the Tube  to work (London)

I take the subway  (New York)

I use the subway to cross the road safely  (= a pedestrian tunnel in BrE)

 

How long time does it take to travel to the UK?

How long does it take to walk to work?

 

 

 a rainbow trout (an oily fish)

 

säga upp mig  = I handed in my notice  (= I informed my employer in writing I intended to leave)

If he leaves his job, he needs to give 2 months’ notice.

 

 

change
make something different (general) = the thing becomes different, but not necessarily swapped.

exchange
give something and receive something in return (two-way) =  both sides give and get something.

replace
take something away and put a new one there instead = one thing substitutes another.    (eg because something is broken, stopped working)

 

The hotel changed my room. =  I got a different room.

I exchanged currency at the airport. =  I gave one currency and received another.

The hotel replaced my room key because it had stopped working. = The old key was taken away and a new one was given.

 

I changed my mind about the jacket = my opinion is different

I exchanged the jacket for a larger size. = gave one, received another

I replaced the broken phone. =  old phone → new phone   (and the old one is thrown away)

 

change / replace / exchange

1. The weather suddenly changed. / changed suddenly.  (changeable weather)
2. The guest exchanged euros for
3. She’d been working in the garden all, so she changed her clothes before dinner.
4. I changed out of my work uniform and into something more comfortable.
5. The chair broke when he sat down on it, and we had to replace (= get a new one)   We changed it at dinner, but replaced it the next day.
6. There was a musty smell in the bathroom so the hotel changed my room.
7. The sun was streaming through the windows and I was too hot, so I changed my seat/place. (= moved somewhere out of the sun)
8. The shop agreed to replace the damaged product. (exchange – wrong size)
9. I changed my clothes after getting wet in the rain.
10. The hotel replaces / changes the towels every two days. (assume they’re dirty)
11. I need to change my booking to a later date.
12. The staff will replace the old furniture with new furniture.
13. The company changed its logo last year.
14. Can I exchange this item if I have the receipt?
15. They changed the locks after losing the keys. She changed the locks after he moved out.
16. We exchange presents at Christmas.
17. They replaced the batteries in the remote. Why?  What did they do with the old ones?
18. I changed my opinion after hearing his idea.

 

They replaced the batteries because they had run out.

They recycled them.    Batteries can leak into the environment.  Heavy metals are dangerous for the environment.

 

 

In breakout rooms discuss:

• Have you ever exchanged something in a shop? What happened?
• Do you often change your mind when you go shopping?
• Have you ever had to replace a product?
• Have you ever asked a hotel to change your room?
• What items should hotels always replace and how often?
• Where do you usually exchange money when travelling?

 

I exchanged a pair of jeans at H&M as I had bought a size too big.   (buy)     buy – exchange

now is the anecdote,  the past simple “bought”  .  but further back in the past  had bought

I exchanged a tshirt at Jack and Jones as I hadn’t bought the right colour.  (not buy)

 

I buy (today)

I bought  (yesterday)

I had bought  (day before yesterday)

 

When I got home yesterday, I saw that my cat had broken/ had knocked over a vase of flowers.

Now story

past –  got home

before the past – had broken, had knocked over

 

my favourite clothing store,  my favourite clothing brand

Armani is very expensive so I buy the clothes secondhand.

I bought a used car.

Good quality is expensive but lasts a long time.

 

 

a production fault

It turned out to have a fault

a big and bulky package

It takes a lot of time and effort to send back a package.  (in the post)

skruva isär  –  I had to dismantle it

We dismantled our bed so we could transport it easily.

We bought a Billy bookcase flat pack, and we built/assembled it ourselves.

to construct a house or garden shed

I took it back to the shop

avdelning =  a department  (women’s, men’s, children’s etc)

a ward  (hospital)

Customer complaint (food/service/experience)

Guest: Excuse me, I’m sorry to complain, but my meal is cold.
Server: I’m very sorry about that. Thank you for letting me know.
Guest: I was really looking forward to it.
Server: I completely understand. Let me fix this for you right away.
Guest: What can you do?
Server: I can bring you a fresh, hot dish, or if you prefer, I can offer a refund or a discount.
Guest: A fresh dish would be great, thank you.
Server: Of course. I’ll make sure it’s prepared as quickly as possible.
Guest: Thank you, I appreciate it.    a-pree-shee- ayt
Server: You’re welcome, and thank you for your paytience.

 

The price was discounted.

 

2. Mistake with the order

 

Guest: Excuse me, I think there’s been a mistake. I ordered the chicken, not the fish.
Server: I’m very sorry about that—that’s our mistake.
Guest: Could you change it, please?
Server: Of course. I’ll bring the correct order immeeediately.
Guest: Thank you.
Server: Would you like to keep this while you wait, or should I take it back?
Guest: You can take it back, thank you.
Server: No problem. I’ll make sure your chicken comes out as quickly/soon as possible.
Guest: I appreciate it.   a-pree-shee- ayt
Server: Thank you for your patience.

 See you a.s.a.p,  I’ll see you asap

 

3. Long wait

Guest: Excuse me, we’ve been waiting for about 40 minutes for our food.
Server: I’m very sorry about the delay, and thank you for your patience.
Guest: Do you know how much longer it will take?
Server: I’ve just checked with the kitchen—your order should be ready in about 5–10 minutes.   (5 to 10 minutes)
Guest: Okay, thank you for checking.
Server: In the meantime, we’d like to offer you a complimentary drink.
Guest: That would be nice, thank you.
Server: You’re very welcome, and again, we apologise for the wait.

 

Guest – I expect a discount on our bill

 

 

4. No ingredients

Guest: I’d like the salmon, please.
Server: I’m very sorry, but we’ve run out of the salmon this evening.   “sammuhn”
Guest: Oh, that’s disappointing.
Server: I completely understand. It’s been very popular today.
Guest: Do you have anything similar?
Server: Yes, of course. May I recommend the grilled chicken or the sea bass? They’re both very good.
Guest: Hmm, I’ll try the sea bass, then.
Server: Excellent choice. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
Guest: Thank you.
Server: You’re welcome, and thank you for your understanding.

 (havsabborre)

 

5. Staff shortages

Guest: Excuse me, service seems a bit slow today.
Server: I’m very sorry about that. We’re a bit short-staffed today.
Guest: Oh, I see.
Server: Thank you for your understanding. We’re doing our best to serve everyone as quickly as possible.
Guest: That’s okay.
Server: I’ll take your order right away and make sure it’s prioritised.
Guest: Thank you, I appreeeciate it.
Server: You’re very welcome.

 

 

6. Payment issues

Guest: Excuse me, my card doesn’t seem to be working.
Server: I’m sorry about that. Let me check it for you.
Guest: Is there a problem?
Server: It looks like the payment didn’t go through. Sometimes the connection is slow.
Guest: Oh, I see. What should I do?
Server: You could try the card again, or use a different card if you have one.
Guest: I’ll try another card.
Server: Of course. Please try again when you’re ready.
Guest: Okay, it worked this time.
Server: Great, thank you. Here is your receipt.
Guest: Thank you.
Server: You’re welcome, and I apologise for the inconvenience.

 

7. Table mix-up

 

Guest: Excuse me, we didn’t order this pasta.
Server: I’m very sorry about that—this was meant for another table.
Guest: Oh, I see.
Server: Let me take that back, and I’ll bring your correct order right away.
Guest: Thank you.
Server: You’re welcome. It should be ready in just a few minutes.
Guest: No problem.
Server: Thank you for your patience, and again, I apologise for the mistake.

 

8. Kitchen delays

Guest: Excuse me, why is the food taking so long?
Server: I’m very sorry about the wait. The kitchen is quite busy at the moment.
Guest: Do you know how much longer it will take?
Server: I’ve just checked, and your order is on its way. It should be ready in about 5–10 minutes.
Guest: Okay, thanks for letting me know.
Server: Of course. Thank you for your patience.
Guest: No problem.
Server: We really appreciate your understanding.