Ch 28 · Lesson 19French · Chapter 28 · Lesson 19 · Phrase session
Complaining politely
In a hotel, a shop or a restaurant: how to get something fixed without a scene.
Why these go together
The French complain well. The trick is to open politely and stay calm and : first, then the facts, then what you want done. Raising your voice ends the conversation; a firm, courteous usually gets results. The conditional is your friend here, because it turns a demand into a request.
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Sorry to bother you.
Literally: excuse me for disturbing you
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There is a problem with the room.
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The shower is not working.
Literally: the shower does not walk
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This is not what I ordered.
?
Could you do something about it?
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I would like a refund.
Literally: I would like to be reimbursed
Matching
0/6Match each phrase to what it means.
Fill in the blank
0/6Put the missing word back.
Excusez-moi de vous . (Sorry to bother you.)
Il y a un problème avec la . (There is a problem with the room.)
La ne marche pas. (The shower is not working.)
Ce n'est pas ce que j'ai . (This is not what I ordered.)
Est-ce que vous faire quelque chose ? (Could you do something about it?)
Je voudrais remboursé. (I would like a refund.)
Lesson 19 of 27 in this chapter