Queues, sorry and the British goodbye: everyday manners
Queues, sorry, please and visiting homes without seeming rude.
Sorry, are you in the queue for the cash machine?
Computer voice · not a real clip
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All 15 phrases
Queues and seats5
- Sorry, are you in the queue?Check before you join.
- I think you were before meLetting someone go first if they got there first.
- After youSaid at doors, lifts and narrow paths.
- Is anyone sitting here?Ask before taking a seat next to a bag on a train or bus.
- Do you mind if I open the window?'No, go ahead' means yes, you can.
Please, sorry and thanks5
- oh, sorrySaid by both people when someone bumps into you, or before asking anything.
- sorry, what was that?With a rising tone, it means 'What did you say?'
- Can I have a flat white, please?'Please' and 'thank you' go on everything in shops and cafés.
- Cheers. / Thanks. / TaBrits say thanks several times in one transaction: for the card machine, the receipt, the bag.
- You alright there?Shop staff asking if you need help.
Visiting a home5
- Shall I put the kettle on?An offer of tea when someone arrives, or a hint that you're staying a while.
- Do you want me to take my shoes off?Shoes off indoors varies by household, so ask.
- Make yourself at homeRelax.
- Right, I'd better make a moveThe start of the long British goodbye.
- Thanks for having meWhat you say when you leave someone's house.
Check yourself15 questions
Question 1 of 15
Why ask 'Are you in the queue?'
More packs
- Sorry, the British wayEvery way Brits use sorry, from bumping into you to saying no.
- Visiting someone's homeWhat guests and hosts say, from hello to the long goodbye.
- Hello and goodbye, UK styleHow Brits greet people, reply, and take ages to leave.
About this pack
- Price
- Free
- Account
- Not needed, saved on this device
- Reviews
- 1, 3, 7, 14 and 30 days later
- Moments
- 4 of 15 phrases have a clip
- Sources
Picked by Talk, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Phrases
- Picked by Talk.
- How Talk picked them
- Part of Talk's themed British life packs. Talk wrote each phrase with what it really means, when to say it, what not to say instead and one quiz question. A phrase gets a moment only if Talk's spoken videos say it with the same meaning. One review picked each moment, and a second tried to reject it. This pack holds 15 phrases.
- Licence
- Talk shares this list under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Meanings and examples
- Written by Talk in plain English.
- Dictionary details
- From Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Princeton WordNet, used under the WordNet licence. WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
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