Cultural notes

It is unlikely that you will need an attorney, also called a "lawyer," when you travel within the U.S. as a tourist. You may have occasion to meet one if you are involved in business dealings with an American company.

Telephone etiquette is rather simple in the U.S. When calling, it is considered polite to introduce yourself by giving your name: "This is Mr. ... I'd like to speak with Ms. .../Mr. ... ." If you don't give your name, most secretaries will ask who's calling. If the person you're calling is unable to answer, you will be told either to hold or will be asked if there is a message. There's nothing wrong with leaving your name and phone number, as well as the reason for your call. In most cases, your call will be returned within a few minutes.

Action

SECRETARY: Good morning, Haskell, Cleaver, and Young.

YOU: I'd like to speak with Mr. Young, please.

SECRETARY: Who's calling, please?

YOU: I'm related to Stephanie Garner. Mr. Young asked me to get in touch when I arrived in the U.S.

SECRETARY: Please hold.

NARRATOR: After a minute or two, Mr. Young picks up the phone. You introduce yourself, and he replies:

MR. YOUNG: I'm looking forward to meeting you. Can you come by tomorrow at 10 a.m.?

YOU: Yes, I think so. Where are you located?

MR. YOUNG: Our offices are just behind the State Capitol building. You can walk here from your hotel.

YOU: What time should I leave the hotel?

MR. YOUNG: Oh, maybe around 9:30. It should only take about twenty minutes on foot.

YOU: Thanks. I'll see you tomorrow morning.

Lesson 8 «Going to the Movies»

Vocabulary

$4.50 (four dollars and fifty cents)

$6.00 (six dollars)

almost (adv.)

as much as (conj., comp. of equality)

believe (inf., to believe)

box (noun)

Here are some common "container" words in English: "a box of...," "a can of...," "a bottle of...," "a bunch of...," and "a glass of...."

butter (noun)

"Butter" at a movie theater may not be "real butter" or even "margarine," but rather an oil-based flavoring that tastes something like butter.

candy (noun)

cashier (noun)

cherry (noun as adj.)

classic (adj.)

Coke (prop. noun)

People commonly refer to a "Coca-Cola" as simply a "Coke." In reference to "carbonated beverages," you will hear different words for "soda" in different regions of the U.S. (such as "soda pop," "pop," even "coke" used generically for "soda"). The word "Coke" - as well as "OK" - is one of the most recognized words of any language.

concession stand (noun)

concierge (noun)

department stores (noun, pl.)

drinks (noun, pl.)

exclusive (adj.)

find, you (to find)

half (noun)

here you go (id. exp.)

An idiomatic expression. You will also hear "here you are" when someone hands something to you.

in half (adv. phrase)

keeps, he (to keep)

Lenox Square (prop. noun)

An exclusive, fashionable shopping mall in Atlanta.

malls (noun, pl.)

Another word for "mall" is "shopping center." In the past, people would congregate downtown, nowadays, many people "hang out" (i.e., "relax") at their local mall, either to walk, talk, eat, or spend time with friends.

Milk Duds (prop. noun)

A popular brand of candy.

movie (noun)

Associated words include "film," "flick," and "video" (that is, if a "movie" can be rented on video cassette).

movie theaters (noun, pl.)

"Movie theaters" are also called "cinemas" or simply "theaters." A "cineplex" may have a great number of films playing at the same time. In large U.S. cities and metropolitan areas, you may find a "cineplex" with more than twenty individual movie theaters.

popcorn (noun)

refreshments (noun, pl.)

"Refreshments" can refer to either "food" or "drink."

shopping (pres. part., used as adj.)

smells, it (to smell)

In the context of the dialogue, "smells" signifies "gives off the aroma" as in "The hot popcorn smells delicious." To simply say that "something smells" without qualifying means that something has "a bad odor."

suburban (adj.)

A similar word is "residential," as in a "residential" area.

tears, he (to tear)

The word "tear" (a verb) is pronounced as "ter," meaning to pull apart or separate. "Tear" (a noun) is pronounced "tir," a secretion of the eye, caused by "crying" or "weeping."

theater (noun)

The word "theater" can refer to a "movie theater" or to a place where a live performance such as a play or opera is presented. "Live concerts" are often held at an "auditorium," "amphitheater," "arena," or "stadium." Many cities have "civic centers" or "convention centers" where "exhibitions" and "concerts" take place.

ticket (noun)

ticket taker (noun)

A "ticket taker" is sometimes referred to as an "usher," even though an "usher" or "usherette" is commonly employed to take someone to their seat in a "theater" or "opera house."

try, you (to try)

A similar verb is "to attempt to" do something (as in, "I attempted to climb Pike's Peak in Colorado and succeeded!").

Story

Your afternoon and evening are free, so you decide to explore more of Atlanta. Your hotel concierge recommends a trip to one of the city's exclusive shopping malls in suburban Atlanta. You take MARTA to Lenox Square where there are a lot of fine department stores, restaurants, and movie theaters. You decide to see a movie before going shopping.