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Ordering at a Restaurant

Five sentences that get you through a whole meal.

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In this lesson

Order food and drinks politely
Understand fast questions like "For here or to go?"
Ask for the check

1 · Key words

freezeTo suddenly stop and not know what to say.A lot of people freeze when the waiter talks fast.

for here or to goDo you want to eat here, or take the food with you?For here or to go? To go, please.

I'll have ...A normal, friendly way to order.I'll have a coffee, please.

ready to orderReady to say what food you want.Are you ready to order?

a few more minutesA polite way to ask for more time.A few more minutes, please.

politeKind and respectful in the way you speak.I'd like the chicken is the most polite way to order.

the checkThe paper that shows how much you pay.Can I get the check, please?

2 · Listen and read

Transcript

NinaHi, I'm Nina.

RayAnd I'm Ray.

NinaToday: ordering food. In a restaurant.

RayThis one is easy, right?

NinaIt looks easy. But a lot of people freeze.

RayWhy?

NinaBecause the waiter talks fast. And they ask questions you don't expect.

RayLike what?

NinaLike, for here or to go?

RayIn here, or take it away.

NinaYes. Four words. But they come out in one second.

RaySo you don't hear four words. You hear one sound.

NinaRight. So learn the sound, not the words.

RayOkay. Let's start at the beginning. I sit down. What happens?

NinaThe waiter comes. He says, can I get you something to drink?

RayAnd I say?

NinaJust water is fine. Or, I'll have a coffee.

RayI'll have. Not I want.

NinaI want sounds like a child. I'll have sounds normal.

RayGood. Then he brings the water. Then what?

NinaHe asks, are you ready to order?

RayAnd if I'm not ready?

NinaSay, a few more minutes, please.

RayThat's polite? It feels short.

NinaIt's short and polite. Please does all the work.

RayOkay. Now I'm ready. How do I order?

NinaThree ways. I'll have the chicken. Or, I'd like the chicken. Or, can I get the chicken?

RayAre they different?

NinaA little. Can I get is the most casual. I'd like is the most polite.

RayAnd I'll have?

NinaIn the middle. Use that one. It always works.

RayNow the hard part. He asks more questions.

NinaYes. Soup or salad. That's a famous one.

RayFamous why?

NinaPeople hear super salad. One word. They say yes.

RayAnd yes is not an answer.

NinaNo. It's a choice. Say soup, please. Or salad, please.

RayWhat if I really didn't hear it?

NinaSorry, one more time?

RayThat's it? So simple.

NinaThat's it. Nobody minds. They say it all day.

RayOkay, last thing. The food is finished. I want to pay.

NinaCan I get the check, please?

RayThe check. Not the bill.

NinaIn America, the check. In England, the bill. Both are fine.

RaySo, five sentences for the whole meal.

NinaJust water is fine. A few more minutes, please. I'll have the chicken. Sorry, one more time? Can I get the check, please?

RayThat's a whole dinner.

NinaThat's it for today. See you next time.

3 · Shadow

Say each sentence out loud, five times, a little faster each time.

Just water is fine.
A few more minutes, please.
I'll have the chicken.
Sorry, one more time?
Can I get the check, please?

4 · Quiz

1. What does "for here or to go" mean?

2. Which way of ordering is the most polite?

3. The waiter asks, "Soup or salad?" What is a good answer?

4. In America, what do you ask for when you want to pay?

5. You are not ready to order yet. What do you say?

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