Sample conversations – shopping
Conversation 1
Shopping for a pair of shoes
Storyline: Karan wants to buy a pair of new shoes for himself, so he goes into a shoe store.
Shopkeeper: Can I help you?
Karan: Yes. I want to buy a pair of shoes.
Shopkeeper: What size are you?
Karan: Size eight.
Shopkeeper: (pulls out a pair of shoes from the rack ) How about these?
Karan: Can I try them on?
Shopkeeper: Sure.
Karan: (tries the shoes on): Yes, they’re my size, but I didn’t quite like the colour. Do you have these shoes in black?
Shopkeeper: I’m not sure. If you can’t find them on the rack, they’re probably out of stock. Anyway, I’ll look in the storeroom.
Karan: Thanks.
Shopkeeper: I’ll be back in a minute.
Karan: OK.
Conversation 2
That’s a rip-off!
Storyline: Amar bought a used computer for Rs 15,000 without realizing that he had been ripped off.
Ganesh: How much did you pay for it?
Amar: 15,000.
Ganesh: 15,000 rupees for a piece of junk like that? That’s a rip-off!
Amar: What do you mean by that?
Ganesh: Don’t you understand? Now you can get a brand new computer for less than 15,000. Then why do you have to buy a used one at that price point?
Amar: Oh. I guess I really got ripped off.
Notes
To get ripped off is to get cheated or exploited.
Conversation 3
Shopping for a shirt
Storyline: Gautam walks into a textiles store. He wants to buy a shirt.
Sales assistant: Hello, are you being helped?
Gautam: No, I’m not. I’d like to buy a shirt.
Sales assistant: All our shirts are in this section. What do you think of this one here? It’s made of good quality denim.
Gautam: Hm, it looks nice, but I’d like to buy something cool for the summer.
Sales assistant: OK. Then I’ll show you some cotton shirts. How about this one?
Gautam: I think that’s what I want. How much is it?
Sales assistant: It’s… 799 rupees.
Gautam: Hm, it’s a little expensive. Can I get a discount?
Sales assistant: Well, actually we offer the best prices so I don’t think we can give you any discount.
Gautam: That’s too bad. (Thinks for a few seconds) Hm, it’s OK. I’ll take it. Could you wrap it up for me?
Sales assistant: Sure. Is there anything else you’d like to buy?
Gautam: No, that’s it. Thank you.
Conversation 4
I’m just looking
Storyline: Gauri walks into a boutique. She is not exactly keen on buying anything. She just wants to browse.
Sales assistant: Hi, can I help you?
Gauri: No, thanks. I’m just browsing.
Sales assistant: It’s okay. If you need any help, just let me know.
Gauri: Sure.
(She walks around the store. Suddenly a salwar suit attracts her and she calls the sales assistant.)
Sales assistant: Yes, Ma’am.
Gauri: I really liked this salwar suit. How much is it?
Sales assistant: Hm, it’s …1,200 rupees.
Gauri: Oh, that’s a lot of money for a salwar suit. Do you think I could get a discount?
Sales assistant: Well, we don’t usually give discounts, but you’re a regular customer so we’ll take 10% off the price. That’s the best we can offer.
Gauri: That’s good. Can you pack it for me?
Sales assistant: Sure. Is there anything else you’d like to buy?
Gauri: No, that should be it. Thanks.
Conversation 5
Shopping for a pair of shoes
Sales assistant: Can I help you, Sir?
Customer: I think so. I’m looking for a pair of shoes.
Sales assistant: What size are you?
Customer: I’m an extra-large. I’ve got large feet.
(Sales assistant pulls out a pair of shoes from the racks and shows them to the customer.)
Sales assistant: How about these?
Customer: I’d like high-heeled shoes. I’m not very tall, you know.
Sales assistant: OK. I’ll show you another pair. (Sales assistant pulls out another pair of shoes.) What do you think of these? They’ve got high heels.
Customer: Yes, they’ve, but they just don’t seem right for me. Could you show me another pair of high-heeled shoes with pointed toes?
Sales assistant: Sure. How about these?
Customer: Yes, these are exactly what I want. Can I try them on?
Sales assistant: Certainly.
Customer: OK. These shoes fit me well. I’ll buy them.
Sales assistant: How would you like to pay, Sir?
Customer: Do you accept credit cards?
Sales assistant: We accept all major credit cards.
Customer: OK. Here’s my card.
Sales assistant: Thank you. Would you like to buy anything else, Sir?
Customer: No, thanks.
