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Shopping – Clothes
Listen to the Entire Lesson
A few guys like to shop. As for the girls, most of
them enjoy shopping. Shopping can consist of grocery shopping, clothes
shopping, or present shopping. I'm sure there are other types as well, but I
will limit this lesson to these three types of shopping.
Shopping for clothes
'Window Shopping' is a terminology used when you do not plan on buying
anything. Basically, you are only looking. The term 'window shopping' was
created because a lot of stores have mannequins on display in the window with
clothes on them. So walking by the store and looking at the clothing through
the window is a way to see what they have. This is called 'window shopping.'
Mannequins are the fake life size figures that are used to put and display
clothes. Most department stores show clothing with the mannequins.
Here are some common statements and questions most commonly used in a clothing
store.
Where
is the dressing room?"
I
can't find my size here. Can you check if you have this in a size 4?"
Do
you have this in different colors?"
Where
are your jeans located?"
Where
is the red sweater on display in the window?"
How
much is this skirt?"
Are
you going to have a sale soon?"
Where
is the matching shirt for this skirt?"
When
are you going to get more sizes?"
I'm
looking for a belt that will go with these pants."
Do
you provide alteration here?"
How
much will it cost to get alternation done on these pants?"
These
pants are too long for me. Where can I get them altered?"
How
long does it take?"
When
do you start selling summer clothing?"
When
will you be getting your summer line?"
Some answers you might hear from workers
The
dressing room is in the right back corner."
The
dressing room is right over there."
All
our jeans are located in the back wall."
We
usually get a shipment every Thursday, so I would check back then."
We
have alteration here."
It
costs seven dollars."
It
takes one day. You can pick them up tomorrow if you drop it off now."
We'll
have our summer line on display in April."
Shopping - Grocery
Grocery shopping is a common thing that is done at
least on a weekly basis. I'll cover some general sentences that are commonly
used.
Before shopping
I'm
going to the grocery store. Do you need anything?"
I'm
going to QFC. Do you want to go?"
Did
you create a grocery list?"
I'm
going to Safeway tonight. Let me know if you need anything by 5:30."
Let's
go to the grocery store together."
Many large grocery stores have coupons they distribute through the newspaper.
You cut them out and save money on items that are shown in the coupon.
I
have a bunch of coupons I got from the newspaper."
There
were a lot of coupons, but I didn't need any of them."
There
are no coupons for anything I ever buy."
During grocery shopping
Where
is your bread section?"
Where
can I find milk?"
Where
are your beers?"
Do
you sell alcohol here?"
I'm
looking for pickles. Can you help me find them?"
Do
you have a bakery section?"
I'm
looking for cough medicine. Where is your medicine area?"
Shopping - Presents
Shopping for presents
Almost everyone needs to buy a present. Let's look at some sentences that you
will need.
It's common to ask a birthday person what they want.
What
do you want for your birthday?"
Do
you need anything?"
Or, you can ask a friend of a birthday person.
What
do you think John wants for his birthday?"
What
do you think I should get for John?"
What
are you getting John for his birthday?"
Buying something for a girlfriend or boyfriend is a little different. If you don't
have any ideas, then you can ask a sales person. Let's say you want to buy your
girlfriend a piece of jewelry.
I
want to buy my girlfriend a birthday present. Do you have any suggestions?"
Or if you want to buy a boyfriend a tie or a shirt, you can go to a place like
Banana Republic and ask them.
I'm
shopping for my boyfriend's birthday. Can you help me pick out something?"
Shopping - Interactive Practice
Click on Listen
All and follow along. After becoming comfortable with the entire conversation,
become Person A by clicking on the Person A button. You will hear only Person B
through the audio file. There will be a silence for you to repeat the sentences
of Person A. Do the same for Person B. The speed of the conversation is native
speed. Use the pause button if the pause between each sentence is too fast for
you. After practicing several times, you will be able to speak as fast as a
native.
1
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Listen All |
Person A |
Person B
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A:
"Welcome. Can I help you with anything?"
B: "Hi. I'm shopping for my boyfriend's birthday. Do you have any
suggestions?"
A: "Let's see. How about a nice shirt and tie? You can't go wrong
there."
B: "Well. He doesn't wear ties that often."
A: "We have some nice pants. You can also get him a belt with it."
B: "That sounds good. Which one do you recommend?"
A: "These slacks are very popular. He can wear them to dress up a little
or on a normal casual day."
B: "I like them. Do you have matching belts?"
A: "Yes. Right over here."
B: "How much are they?"
A: "The pants are on sale for $40, and the belt is $25."
B: "What is your return policy just in case he doesn't like them?"
A: "Just save the receipt and we will gladly return or exchange them for
you."
B: "That sounds great. I'll take them."
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2
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Listen All |
Person A |
Person B
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A: "Hey
Jackie. What are you doing?"
B: "Nothing much. I'm just relaxing today. Why? What's going on?"
A: "I was thinking about heading to the mall. Do you want to go?"
B: "Are they having a sale?"
A: "Yeah. Both Bon and Nordstrom's is having there annual sale. It's a
great time to buy some clothes you've been holding out on."
B: "That sounds great. Where should we meet?"
A: "I'll meet you in front of Nordstrom's in 30 minutes."
B: "Sounds good. See you there."
A: "What do you think about these shoes?"
B: "They're cute. But do you think you'll wear them much?"
A: "No. Not really."
B: "This sweater is so pretty. I love the low neck design."
A: "I bet it's expensive."
B: "It's on sale for $80. What do you think? Should I try them on?"
A: "For 80 bucks it looks great. Go try it on."
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3
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Listen All |
Person A |
Person B
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A:
"Where is your dressing room?"
B: "Right over there."
Person A comes out of the dressing room
B: "How did you like the sweater?"
A: "I loved it. I'll take it."
B: "Great. I can ring you up over here. It comes to $87.04."
A: "Here you go?"
B: "Do you have a credit card with us?"
A: "No I don't."
B: "If you open up a card, you can save 10% on all your purchases
today."
A: "Not today. Thanks though."
B: "No problem. We always have this offer, so when ever you decide to,
just let us know."
A: "Sure."
B: "Is there anything else I can help you with?"
A: "Yeah. I was looking at some of your pants, but they are all a bit
too long. Do you have alteration services here?"
B: "Yes. It cost $7, and it takes one day."
A: "Great. Thanks for your help."
B: "Thank you, and have a great day." | |