BBC English at Work #22: The stock cupboard

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BBC English at WorkEpisode 22 of 66
Planning and delegating

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Episode 22: The stock cupboard. Planning and delegating.

Key Phrases

  • 1I'm afraid it's against company policy.
  • 2Would you mind not doing that please?
  • 3I'm afraid it's not permitted.

Listening Challenge

What other word does Anna use to mean ‘put out your cigarette’?

Transcript

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Active Line0:00 - 0:06
Narrator

Hello, welcome back to Tip Top Trading where Anna is going downstairs to speak to warehouse manager, Mr Ingle. You’re looking a bit nervous…

0:06
Anna

I am. Denise says if I speak to him in the wrong way, he might bite my head off!

0:12
Narrator

Relax Anna. It’s just an expression to mean he might be a bit aggressive.

0:19
Anna

Oh!

0:25
Narrator

You’ll be fine, just use the right polite phrases… oh, and smile!

0:32
Anna

OK, I will. Oh look I’m here now…

0:38
Anna

Mr Ingle, are you there? I’d be most grateful if you could give me some… oh, what’s that smell… and smoke… Mr Ingle!

0:44
Mr Ingle

Oh, oh (coughs)

0:51
Anna

Mr Ingle. You’re smoking!

0:57
Mr Ingle

Well… it’s my lunch break… so I’m allowed a cigarette, aren’t I?

1:04
Anna

Really? Are you sure?

1:10
Narrator

No, he’s not Anna! Smoking in a public place is illegal – it’s against the law. It’s dangerous too - you’ve got to do something about this.

1:17
Anna

Oh right. Mmm, er, Mr Ingle, you mustn’t smoke… it’s wrong.

1:23
Mr Ingle

Says who?

1:29
Anna

Err, Me?

1:36
Narrator

Anna. You’ll have to do better than that. Be polite, but be firm too. Try saying, ‘would you mind not doing that please?’

1:42
Anna

I’ll try. Mr Ingle, would you mind not doing that please?

1:49
Mr Ingle

Why’s that then? Page 1 of 3 bbclearningenglish.com

1:55
Narrator

He’s not being very nice is he? You need to give your reasons. Say, ‘I’m afraid it’s against company policy’… go on you can do it.

2:01
Anna

Mr Ingle… I’m afraid it’s against company policy. And… it is actually against the law to smoke here… and… it’s not a nice smell, is it?

2:08
Mr Ingle

It smells OK to me.

2:14
Anna

Well, I’m sorry to have to ask you this but you need to put it out.

2:21
Mr Ingle

Put what out – the cat?!

2:27
Anna

No. You need to extinguish your cigarette… please.

2:34
Mr Ingle

Says who?

2:40
Anna

Well, I’m sure your team wouldn’t like to see you breaking the law and besides, it could cause a fire. That would be awful.

2:46
Mr Ingle

Yeah, I suppose it would.

2:53
Anna

I could get you some nicotine gum if you like?

2:59
Mr Ingle

No, it’s OK. I’ll stub it out… as you asked so nicely.

3:06
Anna

Thank you Mr Ingle. We’ll keep it a secret this time, but please don’t do it again. I’m afraid it’s just not permitted on company premises.

3:12
Mr Ingle

Whatever!

3:18
Anna

Oh and Mr Ingle, I still really like your overalls. Bye!

3:25
Narrator

Nice one Anna. You dealt with Mr Ingle really well. You kept your cool and explained the reasons why he shouldn’t smoke. Let’s hope he doesn’t do it again Anna.

3:31
Anna

I hope not. I hate the smell of cigarette smoke. But I never got to ask him about stock management.

3:38
Narrator

Well, maybe it’s best to leave it for another time? Anna’s had a tricky day so far dealing with Mr Ingle but she was firm and fair in the language she used. Here’s a reminder of the phrases she used: Would you mind not doing that please? I’m afraid it’s against company policy. I’m afraid it’s not permitted. Sorry to have to ask you this but…

3:44
Paul

Ah Anna, there you are…. (sniffing) Have you been smoking?

3:50
Anna

No! Page 2 of 3 bbclearningenglish.com

3:57
Paul

You smell of cigarette smoke. Look, I know you’re under pressure – but smoking in the building is not permitted.

4:03
Anna

Bbbut…

4:10
Paul

We take this very seriously. You had better step in to my office and we’ll talk about this.

4:16
Narrator

Oh dear! Anna’s in trouble for no reason. Let’s hope she explains the mix- up, but that means telling Paul about Mr Ingle smoking. This is going to be difficult. Until next time, bye!  Listening Challenge What other word does Anna use to mean ‘put out your cigarette’? Page 3 of 3 bbclearningenglish.com