What do you say to people when someone dies? When you receive a present you don’t like, or when you need to tell strangers that they’re children are bothering you?
You’ll learn what to say in some embarrassing situations.

Audio message from Abdessalam from Algeria
Listen when doing the gardening, driving to work, in bed etc.
What are your listening habits? When do you listen?

Audio message from David Maya

Health: https://inglespodcast.com/42
Going to the Doctor: https://inglespodcast.com/107
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Death: https://inglespodcast.com/221

When someone dies
to pass away = to die
I’m sorry for your loss
I’m really sorry about your mum/dad/friend etc.
We’re here for you if you need anything.
If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know.
He/she will be greatly missed.
Our (deepest) condolences on the death of your mother-in-law (more formal, and useful if you’re writing a sympathy card)

On receiving a present you don’t like (or even one you really do like!)
Thank you. That’s really kind/nice of you.
Oh, you shouldn’t have (gone to so much trouble)!
That really wasn’t necessary.
I’ve never seen anything like this before.
I really wasn’t expecting anything.
You’re too kind!

Noisy, misbehaving children that are disturbing you
Would you mind + (gerund)… speaking to your children / asking them to keep the noise down / keeping an eye on your kids.
Excuse me, I think your child is disturbing the other customers.
Could you tell your son to stop throwing food, please!

You forget someone’s name
Nice to see you again. (and avoid names)
I’m very sorry. I can’t remember your name. (honest approach)
My mind’s gone blank. Can you remind me what your name is, please? (honest approach)
Get someone whose name you know to introduce him/herself to the other person in front of you first, to get the name. (sneaky approach – Reza’s preferred strategy)

You drop or break something or spill liquid
I’m so sorry. Let me clean/wipe that.
Forgive my clumsiness, please.
Butterfingers! Sorry. – To make light of the situation

You unexpectedly break wind or burp
I’m so sorry.
Please excuse/forgive me! The _ I ate is repeating on me.
Pardon me, please.
Pretend that nothing happened. maybe they didn’t hear or know who did it!
What was that? (in a crowded area. pretend somebody else did it – sneaky and requires a lot of nerve!)

Can you think of any more useful phrases for these situations or other awkward situations? Please send in your ideas.

…and now it’s your turn to practise your English.
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On next week’s episode: Argentina

The music in this podcast is by Pitx. The track is called ‘See You Later’

“Dub Feral” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Photo by Felix Koutchinski on Unsplash