Cultural notes

Many hotels in large American cities are in high-rise buildings like the Peachtree Plaza in Atlanta. As in most countries, rates will vary according to the amenities and location of the hotel. Room rates are highest in cities like New York, Chicago, and San Francisco. When making a reservation, don't hesitate to request a lower rate. Most hotels give discounts to business travelers (request the business rate) and on weekends.

When making a reservation by phone or mail, you will be given the option of guaranteeing by credit card. This means that your room will be held for you for an arrival after 6 p.m. If you decide not to stay at the hotel, you must call to cancel. Otherwise, your credit card will be charged for one night's stay.

Action

FRONT DESK CLERK: Welcome to the Peachtree Plaza. Do you have a reservation?

YOU: Yes, I do. I'll be staying for two or three days.

FRONT DESK CLERK: Are you here for business or pleasure?

YOU: Could you please speak more slowly?

FRONT DESK CLERK: Is this a business trip or just a vacation?

YOU: Both, actually. My aunt died recently in Atlanta. I've come to take care of her estate.

FRONT DESK CLERK: I'm sorry for your loss. We'll make your stay here as worry-free as possible.

YOU: Thank you.

FRONT DESK CLERK: We have room 758 reserved for you. Will you be paying with cash or a credit card?

YOU: A credit card. Here it is. What's the rate?

FRONT DESK CLERK: $129.00 per night. There's also a complimentary continental breakfast. I need to make an imprint of your credit card.

YOU: How do I get to my room?

FRONT DESK CLERK: Take the elevator on the right to the seventh floor, and turn to your left after you exit the elevator. The room will be on your right. A bellman will bring up your bags.

Lesson 5 «Using the Telephone»

Vocabulary

011 (zero one one)

"Zero one one" is the prefix for international calls made from the U.S.

behind (prep.)

call (inf. to call/noun)

There are various ways to express the notion of making a telephone call in English: "to telephone (or "phone") someone"; "to call someone"; "to give someone a call"; "to make a call"; "to give someone a buzz (ring, jingle)." Examples include the following: "When can I call you?"; "When can I give you a call?"; "When can I phone you?" (These are three different ways to say the same thing.)

calling (pres. part., to call)

charge (inf., to charge)

codes (noun, pl.)

correct (adj.)

country (noun as adj.)

dial (inf., to dial)

directly (adv.)

evening (noun)

extremely (adv.)

from (prep.)

go to bed (inf., to go to bed)

goes through, it (to go through)

hang up (imper., to hang up)

have (imper., to have)

When you are expressing a "wish" to someone, you will often use the expression "Have a..." as in "Have a nice day (evening, afternoon, morning)!" "Have a nice trip!" and "Have a good time!" (also "Enjoy yourself!").

home (noun)

instructions (noun, pl.)

like, you'd (to like, cond.)

The expression "you'd like" accepts either an infinitive (as in "You'd like to go." "You'd like to know.") or a present participle (as in "You'd like going." "You'd like knowing.")

look at, you (to look at)

You can also use "examine" in this case. "To look at" usually refers to a static image ("He looks at the magazine."), while "to watch" would refer to seeing an image in motion ("He watches TV." "She watches a game.").

make (inf., to make)

nice (adj.)

"Nice" can modify things ("a nice car"), abstract concepts ("a nice idea") or people ("Martha is a nice person.").

number (noun)

"Number" is often abbreviated in English as "no." or "#."

operator (noun)

In the context of this chapter, "operator" refers to one who works at a hotel's "switchboard."

pay (inf., to pay)

One may "pay for" something with "cash," a "credit card," or a "personal check" (you'll often hear store clerks ask "Cash or charge?"). "To pay off" an account or credit card means to bring an "outstanding balance" down to zero. "To pay someone off" implies an illegal act of "bribery" (as in, "Someone paid off the officer.").

seconds (noun)

"Seconds" refers to a measurement of time in the dialogue. In relation to food, "going for seconds" or "having seconds" refers to having a second serving of a particular dish.

several (adj.)

should (modal aux.)

switchboard (noun)

take a bath (inf., to take a bath)

In relation to "personal hygiene," one may "take a bath" (or "bathe" in a "bath tub"), "take a shower" (or "shower" in a "shower"), "wash up," or even "clean up."

telephone (noun)

Often referred to as the "phone" or the "horn" (slang).

then (adv.)

tired (adj.)

understand, I (to understand)

Notice the negative form of the verb in the dialogue ("I don't understand."). Negatives will be dealt with in the Grammar of this chapter.

unsure (adj.)

until (prep.)

use (inf., to use)

wait, you (to wait)

you'd (contr., "you would")

Story

You're extremely tired. You'd like to take a bath and go to bed. But first, you decide you should call home. You're unsure how to use your hotel telephone, so you look at the instructions before calling the hotel operator.