Situation: A customer from Canada wants to see a movie at a Thailand movie theater but needs help choosing a film and purchasing a ticket.
Customer: Excuse me, do you speak English?
Employee: Yes, I do. How may I help?
Customer: I'd like to see a film. Do you have a schedule?
Employee: Yes, here's our marquee with today's schedule.
Customer: I'm sorry, I don't read Thai. I'd like to see The Bourne Legacy. Is it in English?
Employee: Yes, it is. I'm sorry our schedule here is only listed in Thai. It is available, however, in English online and you can see our current listing of shows at our web site www....
Customer: Thanks. I see people buying tickets from an automated ticket machine over there instead of waiting in line. Can I buy a ticket there, also?
Employee: Sorry, you have to fill out an application and pay a membership fee to be able to access that service. For now, I'd recommend waiting in line, but don't worry, the line moves along quickly. At the counter, the clerk will show you a chart and ask you to choose a seat. If this is your first time at a movie theater in Thailand, don't be surprised when after you're shown a preview of coming attractions that everyone stands for a short while to pay respects to the royal family. It's a Thai custom.
Customer: Thanks, I didn't know that.
Employee: Ticket prices are also cheaper today. Wednesdays our theater tickets are discounted. We call it "Movie Day."
Customer: Woah, I came on the right day!
Employee: I hope you enjoy your film and come again.
Customer: Thanks. You've been very helpful.
Discussion
- Do you work in customer service and interact with foreign customers?
- What gives you the most difficulty, language or customs?
- What do you do if you didn't understand a customer?
Situation: Welcoming a customer boarding a flight.
Flight Attendant: Welcome aboard Flight 2012!
Mr. Kim: Thank you.Can you tell us where Row 10 is (Mr. Kim holds up a boarding pass).
Flight Attendant: Yes, it's the exit row, the second row past the first-class cabin. You're in seats A and B which are on the right side of the plane just behind the lavatory.
Mr. Kim: They told us when we checked in that we were in an exit row. What do we need to do?
Flight Attendant: If you're physically capable and willing, you'll have to open the emergency door if necessary. Read the safety card in the pocket of the seat in front of you for directions.
Mr. Kim: Where can we put our carry-on bags?
Flight Attendant: It looks like you have two. One can go underneath the seat in front of you. The other will have to be stowed in the overhead compartment.
Mr. Kim: Will I be able to get it later?
Flight Attendant: Sure. After take-off the captain will turn off the seatbelt sign and you'll be able to get up and move about the cabin.
Conversation Practice
- Are you generally satisfied with cabin service when you fly?
- Do you listen to cabin stewards when they review safety procedures or
do you tune them out?
- Where do you prefer to sit on the plane, aisle or window seat?
Do you order a special meal or eat what's on the daily menu?
Are you that passenger that tries to squash an over-sized bag in the overhead luggage bin?
Where's the safest place to sit on a plane?
Have you every had to report a suspicious or bothersome passenger to a cabin steward?
Vocabulary
tune them out - to ignore someone, not listen to someone
