Podcast 109 B2 - Polite language in English 2

Language in a restaurant

Story starts at 3:04

This is a continuation of Podcast 106, where I talked about polite language. In this podcast, I'm going to talk about typical polite language in a restaurant. The interesting thing, I think, is that intonation is the so important. It doesn't matter how polite the words are that we use. If the intonation isn't correct, polite language can even sound the opposite. In other words, impolite or rude. Here we go...

Philomena and Dave met on the Internet through a dating platform. That's a place online where single people can get to know each other by writing to each other in a chatroom. Philomena and Dave thought they had a lot in common from their conversations online so they decided to meet in person. Philomena is a 'foodie'. That's somebody who enjoys good quality food very much. She knows a lot about cooking and preparing exotic dishes. Unfortunately, Dave is just the opposite. He likes eating but he has no idea about preparing exotic dishes. It seems that during their online conversations they didn't talk about food. What will happen on their first date in an expensive restaurant? Listen and find out. Listen for the waiter's language. He uses lots of modals such as 'would' to show politeness. Words like 'please' and 'certainly'. Notice how the customers in the restaurant say 'I'll have...' when choosing their food from the menu. If you can come over to Practising English - podcast 109, I have also highlighted other typical words and expressions to talk about food.

restaurant vocabulary pizza

Dave and Philomena

[Dave is wearing jeans and a T-shirt. He walks into the restaurant and a smartly-dressed waiter approaches him.]

Waiter: Yes, sir. What can I do for you?

Dave: Yeah, hello. I've got a reservation.

Waiter: You have? [The waiter looks at Dave's clothes disapprovingly.] I see. What is your name, sir?

Dave: Dave!

Waiter: Dave! I see. [The waiter consults a notebook.] Yes. A table for two at seven-thirty. But you're alone!

Dave: Yeah, I am now, but I'm waiting for somebody, aren't I? My lady-friend.

Waiter: I see. Please, come this way, sir. [The waiter takes Dave to a table by the window, and Dave sits down.] Please, take a seat, sir. Would you like anything to drink while you're waiting?

Dave: Yeah. I'll have a beer, please.

Waiter: Certainly, sir.

[Philomena comes into the restaurant. She's wearing an expensive-looking red and black dress and gold jewellery. She recognises Dave sitting at the table, and she gives a little wave. Dave waves back. Philomena walks over to the table.]

Dave: Hello, Philomena! We meet at last! Nice to see you! [He doesn't stand up.]

Philomena: Hello, Dave. Nice to see you too. [She waits by her chair and makes a noise in her throat.]

Dave: Oh, eh, sorry! [He gets up and pulls Philomena's chair back so she can sit down.]

Philomena: Thank you, Dave. Well, Here we are! I hope you like the restaurant. I come here often. Do you know it?

Dave: No, no. I don't, actually, Philomena. I don't go to restaurants very much.

Philomena: Really? I enjoy food very much, don't you know? I love cooking myself and I very much enjoy eating out. This is a particularly good restaurant. They specialise in foreign food.

[The waiter approaches again.]

Waiter: Good evening, madam. I'm delighted to see you again. Would you like something to drink?

Philomena: Yes, please. I'll have a dry sherry, please. And would you bring us two menus, please?

Waiter: Certainly, madam! [The waiter goes away and comes back with a sherry for Philomena and two menus and gives them to Philomena and Dave.] Please let me know when you're ready to order. [The waiter goes away.]

Philomena: [Reading from the menu.] Are you a vegetarian or a vegan perhaps, Dave?

Dave: Oh, no! I love meat.

Philomena: Ah! I see they have Spicy Korean Fried Chicken. Do you like spicy food, Dave?

Dave: Ehm. Well. I don't think so. You see, spicy food makes me go to the toilet a lot the next day. I'm afraid I prefer something milder.

Philomena: Oh, dear! Well. Never mind, Dave. What about Filipino Noodles With Pork and Shrimp? I've had that before. It's superb and it's not spicy at all.

Dave: Mmm. Well, I'm not sure about those noodles. They're sound a bit too exotic for me! I prefer spaghetti. They don't have spaghetti bolognese, do they?

Philomena: Eh, no! What sort of food do you like, Dave?

Dave: I really enjoy hamburgers!

Philomena: Really? Do you prepare your own from fresh ingredients?

Dave: Not exactly. I get them from McDonald's. You know, a takeaway. They taste quite fresh though.

Philomena: Oh!

Waiter: Are you ready to order?

Philomena: Well. I think for a starter I'll have the Tuscan Ribollita Soup followed by Beef Bourguignon as a main course.

Waiter: Certainly, madam. I see you're going European this evening!

Philomena: Definitely! Italian and French dishes. They sound delicious!

Waiter: And, you sir? What would you like?

Dave: Well, if you do Italian food, maybe you've got a pizza, but I can't see it on the menu.

Waiter: You can't see it on the menu, sir, because it's not there. We don't do pizzas!

Dave: You don't have to be so rude with me. It's not my fault I don't like all this fancy food. I'm leaving. I'm sorry, Philomena. I'm just a simple man with simple tastes. This is all too sophisticated for me!

Philomena: That's all right, Dave. I'm coming with you. [She stands up.] I apologize, waiter. I'm afraid I'll have to cancel that order.

Waiter: But, madam! You've been coming to our restaurant for years...

Philomena: Yes, that's right. But I don't think I'll be coming back.

Waiter: But... madam!

Philomena: He's got nice eyes, waiter. And you don't have good manners. Come on, Dave. I know a cheap pizza place just across the road. Let's go and have a pizza.

Until next time. Goodbye!