BBC English at Work #16: Slimy Limey!

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BBC English at WorkEpisode 16 of 66
Politely refusing

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Episode 16: Slimy Limey!. Politely refusing.

Key Phrases

  • 1I'm really sorry, I won't be able to.
  • 2Thank you for your offer, but I'm afraid I can't.
  • 3I'm afraid it's against company policy.
  • 4It wouldn't be appropriate.

Listening Challenge

What excuse does Anna give Seb Lime for not going to lunch with him?

Transcript

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Show translationVietnamese meaning
Active Line0:00 - 0:05
Narrator

to lunch, remember. Now Anna and Denise are flapping. ...and before you know it, he'll be aski

0:05
Denise

ng you to marry him! Trust me Anna, this has happened to me dozens of times! But I thought he was only interested in the lemons! Please promise me you

0:10
Anna

won’t mention this to anyone.

0:15
Denise

OK, I promise.

0:21
Anna

Oh, shhhh!

0:26
Tom

Good morning. What's going on? Mr Lime has asked Anna to lunch!

0:31
Denise

Please…

0:36
Anna

And?

0:41
Tom

And it's not to talk business! I saw him looking at her with big eyes, from

0:46
Denise

the moment he first saw her! Denise!

0:51
Anna

Old Slimy Limey eh? Lucky Anna!

0:56
Tom

He's not slimy, it's just…

1:02
Anna

Don't tell me you said yes?!

1:07
Tom

Well I didn't know what to say.

1:12
Anna

You didn't?

1:17
Tom

No, no, I said I was busy and would call back. I wanted to just say no, but

1:22
Anna

with everyone complaining that I'm not polite on the phone... I just... I didn't know how to say it politely. Ha ha, I'll tell you what to say. Hang on, let me write it down... why do all the pens keep disappearing? really sorry, I won't be able to.

1:27
Denise

Here's one.

1:32
Anna

Thanks. Okay, I'm listening Tom.

1:37
Tom

Say: go...

1:43
Anna

(writing) go...

1:48
Tom

...away... Slimy Limey.

1:53
Anna

Go away Slimy Limey. Are you sure?

1:58
Tom

Of course!

2:03
Denise

Don't listen to him Anna. This is what you say: Thank you for your offer. But I'm Then explain why, say I'm afraid… blah blah blah

2:08
Anna

Blah blah blah?

2:13
Denise

Say it's against company policy to have non-business lunches with clients.

2:19
Anna

Meaning?

2:24
Denise

You're not allowed to if it's not for business. Then say: It wouldn't be appropriate. So, with regret, I'm going to have to say no. Thank you for your offer...

2:29
Anna

Okay, I think I've got that all down. Thanks. He'll be waiting for my call. (dials phone)

2:34
Mr Lime

Hello, Seb Lime speaking.

2:39
Anna

Hello Mr Lime.

2:44
Mr Lime

Anna! Please, call me Seb. So, when can I invite you to lunch?

2:49
Denise

(whispering loudly) m really sorry, I won't be able to.

2:54
Anna

Well, thank you for your offer. But I' I'm afraid...

3:00
Mr Lime

Oh?

3:05
Denise

(whispering loudly)

3:10
Anna

I'm afraid it's against company policy to have non-business lunches with people.

3:15
Mr Lime

Really? Oh how tedious! It wouldn't be-

3:20
Denise

(whispering loudly)

3:25
Anna

Shhh!

3:30
Mr Lime

Pardon?

3:35
Anna

No, not shhh you Mr Slimy I meant shhhh Denise!

3:41
Mr Lime

Mr Slimy?

3:46
Anna

Oh no! I mean Mr Limey – Lime – er Seb! You see, it wouldn't be appropriate. So, with regret, I'm going to have to say no. I think I've understood. Goodbye Anna. Goodbye.

3:51
Narrator

Oh dear, he didn't take that too well. But, apart from a little mistake, Anna did well there. Here are the phrases she used to politely refuse the offer of lunch: really sorry, I wo Thank you for your offer. But I'm n't be able to. I'm afraid it is agai nst company policy… It wouldn't be appropriate. With regret, I'm going to have to say no. Good job Anna, bad luck Mr Slimy! •