日米会話学院 Podcasting

2007.03.17

055_Making_Excuses

Some times you may want to say NO to an invitation. Maybe because you are tired or because you have other plans. In this episode Robin Colomb helps Yukie learn to make excuses.

Kevin:

Hello everyone and welcome to Nichibei Kaiwa Gakuin Podcasting. A great way to review English words and phrases. My name is Kevin Jones.
This episode we have a question from Nichibei student Yukie. Hello Yukie

Yukie:

Hello Kevin.

Kevin:

. And also here to help us out is Nichibei instructor Robin Colomb. Hello Robin.

Robin Colomb:

Hello Kevin.

Kevin:

Yukie you have a business English question for us? Or is it a social English quesiton.

Yukie:

Well it's a little of both.

Kevin:

Ok. Go ahead.

Yukie:

Well, everytime I go on a business trip to New York, the staff at our New York office invites me to go out for dinner.

Robin Colomb:

That's nice of them.

Yukie:

Yeah it's nice, but to tell you the truth, I'm usually very tired after the flight from Narita.

Robin Colomb:

Why don't you just ask to be excused form going.

Yukie:

Ask to be excused?

Robin Colomb:

Sure, make an excuse. I'm sure they won't mind.

Yukie:

Well that's just it! I don't think I'm very smooth at making excuses, so I'd like to ask for your suggestions.

Robin Colomb:

No problem.
Let's see now.
Making a polite excuse is usually in two parts. The first part is a softener

Yukie:

A softener?

Robin Colomb:

Yes, a softener is a word or phrase that makes the bad news softer.
Phrases like Thank you, but... or 'It's very kind of you but...
Or "That's very kind of you but...".

Yukie:

That's very kind of you,but ...

Robin Colomb:

Yes, that's right, and then for the second part you should make you excuse.

Yukie:

What should I say for the second part?

Robin Colomb:

Just say, 'I'd like to relax tonight, if you don't mind or
'I'm pretty tired, I'd like to take it easy, if you don't mind.

Yukie:

I'd like to relax tonight.

Robin Colomb:

If you don't mind.

Yukie:

I'd like to relax tonight. if you don't mind.

Robin Colomb:

Good, now can you put both parts together?

Yukie:

I think so.

Robin Colomb:

Then, let's imagine I'm calling you at your hotel. I'll invite you out to dinner and you make a polite excuse.

Yukie:

OK.

Yukie:

Hello

Robin Colomb:

Yukie, this is Robin. How are you? How was your flight?

Yukie:

Ah, Good, Fine, thank you.

Robin Colomb:

Ah listen, Kato-san and I would like to invite you to dinner tonight. Let's say... eight o'clock at your hotel?

Yukie:

Ah, that's very kind of you, but I'd like to relax tonight if you don't mind.

Robin Colomb:

OK, well then. We'll see you tomorrow morning at the office for the 9:00 meeting.

Yukie:

OK, see you then. Bye.

Robin Colomb:

Good bye. Good. That sounded fine Yukie.

Yukie:

Thanks....That helps but sometimes they ask me a second time. They might say...'Come on, how about one drink?'

Robin Colomb:

In that case you should try this. Repeat the first part.

Yukie:

Thank you but...

Robin Colomb:

Good. And then say,
Perhaps another time.
This is polite, but makes it clear that you do not want to go. Let's give it a try.

Yukie:

OK.

Robin Colomb:

Come on. Why don't you join us for drink.

Yukie:

Ah, Thank you, but perhaps another time.

Robin Colomb:

OK, I'll see you tomorrow.

Yukie:

Good night.

Robin Colomb:

Good. That sounded fine.

Kevin:

How's that Yukie?

Yukie:

Un.. that helps a lot.

Robin Colomb:

Then let's practice that whole conversation one more time.

Yukie:

Alright.

Yukie:

Hello

Robin Colomb:

Yukie, this is Robin. How are you? How was your flight?

Yukie:

Ah, Good. Fine, thank you.

Robin Colomb:

Ah... listen, Kato-san and I would like to invite you to dinner tonight. Let's say... Eight o'clock at your hotel?

Yukie:

That's very kind of you, but I'd like to relax tonight if you don't mind.

Robin Colomb:

Come on. Why don't you join us for drink.

Yukie:

Thank you, but perhaps another time.

Robin Colomb:

OK, well then, we'll see you tomorrow morning at the office for the 9:00 meeting.

Yukie:

OK, see you then. Bye.

Robin Colomb:

Good bye.
Good job Yukie.

Yukie:

Thanks Robin Colomb.

Robin Colomb:

You're quite welcome.

Kevin:

That's it for this episode, but before we go we have a special announcement from Nichibei staff, Yuko.

Yuko:

(日本語 announcement ）

END

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