Cultural notes

There are many kinds of restaurants in the United States - fast food places, like McDonald's and Burger King, cafeterias, diners, speciality restaurants of many nationalities, and gourmet restaurants. In almost any town or city in the U.S., there is usually a restaurant that will suit your taste and your budget.

When dining in most restaurants, a waitress or receptionist will normally greet you and show you to a table. Often, you are asked whether you prefer the smoking or non-smoking section. Once seated, a waiter or waitress will bring you a menu and tell you about the special dishes being served that day. Your waiter or waitress may seem overly friendly (he/she will say "Hi" to you and introduce him/herself). You'll get used to this informality after a while.

When you get the check, you will need to leave a tip, normally 15% of the amount for your meal, depending on the quality of the service. In most restaurants, you will be able to pay with a credit card. If you are uncertain about this, you should inquire before being seated.

Action

RESTAURANT HOSTESS: Hi, will you be having lunch?

YOU: Yes, but I'm not very hungry. It's too hot outside.

RESTAURANT HOSTESS: I know what you mean. It's a scorcher today.

YOU: I'm not used to this kind of weather. I'm glad that everything is air conditioned here.

NARRATOR: You go to your table. A waiter comes by and hands you a menu.

WAITER: Hi, my name is Carl and I'll be serving you today. Can I get you something to drink?

YOU: Just water, please, with ice.

WAITER: Of course. I'll be back in a moment.

NARRATOR: The waiter returns and you prepare to order your meal.

WAITER: Would you like to hear about our house specials?

YOU: I think I'll just have a salad, bread, and a glass of white wine.

WAITER: O.K. What kind of wine? Our house wine is quite good.

YOU: Fine, I'll have a glass of that.

WAITER: I'll be right back with your wine.

NARRATOR: You finish your meal and start to feel better. The waiter returns to your table.

WAITER: Would you like some dessert? We have a delicious chocolate cheese cake.

YOU: I don't think so. I'm on a diet. Just bring the check, please.

Lesson 7 «Making an Appointment»

Vocabulary

9:30 (nine thirty)

a.m. (abbr., "ante meridiem")

Notice the references to time of day in this dialogue (e.g.: "at 10.00 a.m." / "around 9:30 a.m."). Telling time is dealt with in the Grammar of this chapter.

about (adv.)

"About" and "around" are used when you are unsure of the specific time (as in, "Why don't you come around 9:30 a.m.?").

appointment (noun)

Some useful expressions associated with the noun "appointment" include "to make an appointment," "to set an appointment" and "to have an appointment." "To have a date" or "to go on a date" usually implies a romantic meeting, such as a dinner or a movie.

around (adv.)

arrived, I (to arrive, past)

asked, he (to ask, past)

attorney (noun)

Synonyms include "lawyer," "counselor," and "legal counselor."

behind (prep)

building (noun)

called, he (to call, past)

capitol (noun as adj.)

The word "capitol" is used in reference to a building in which a legislative body meets, while "capital" is used when speaking of the chief city of a country or region. (E.g.: "We saw the U.S. Capitol in Washington." "Albany is the capital of New York state.")

foot (noun)

The expression "on foot" is used in this dialogue. It would also be possible to say "by foot." "By" is used for means of transportation and communication in English (as in "by plane," "by bus," "by car," "by mail," "by phone," "by fax," and "by air," "land," or "sea").

get in touch (inf., to get in touch)

This expression is usually interchangeable with "to call" or "to phone."

hold! (imp., to hold)

Other ways to ask someone to "Please hold." include "Please stay on the line." and "One moment, please."

important (adj.)

introduce, you (to introduce)

late (adj.)

Normally meaning "tardy," "late" in the context of one's "late aunt Stephanie" is a polite way to say that she is "dead," "passed on," "deceased."

located (adj.)

looking forward, I'm (to look forward, pres. prog.)

This is an enthusiastic way to tell someone that you're excited about a future plan or endeavor (as in "I'm looking forward to getting my inheritance.").

maybe (adv.)

Synonyms include "perhaps," "possibly," "conceivably," and "perchance."

meeting (pres. part., to meet)

Mr. (abbr., noun "mister")

Other abbreviations related to titles include "Mrs." ("misses") and "Ms" (pronounced with a voiced "s" as in "miz").

office (noun)

oh! (interj.)

only (adv.)

person (noun)

phone (noun as adj.)

related (adj.)

replies, he (to reply)

secretary (noun)

Many secretaries prefer to be called "administrative" or "executive assistants."

state (noun as adj.)

take (inf., to take)

When talking about the time it takes to do something, use the question: "How long does it take?" The answer will begin with "It takes... minutes / hours / days / weeks," etc." (E.g.: "How long does it take to get to your office?" - "It takes about an hour.")

tomorrow (adv.)

walk, you can (to walk)

who (rel. pron.)

who's? (interr., contr. "who is")

Notice the contracted form "who's" ("who is"), which should not be confused with the homonym "whose." (E.g.: "Who's coming with you tomorrow?" "Whose suitcase is that?")

yourself (refl. pron.)

Story

You return to your room to make an important phone call to your late Aunt Stephanie's attorney. He's the person who called to ask you to come to the U.S. You dial the attorney's office to make an appointment.