Words to know
a room in a hotel with computers and printers for guests
leaving your hotel room later than the usual time
ask staff to bring something to your room
Step 1 of 5
Listen first
No text yet. Listen for who, where and what goes wrong.
- OliverText hidden. Listen first.
- ConciergeText hidden. Listen first.
- OliverText hidden. Listen first.
- ConciergeText hidden. Listen first.
- OliverText hidden. Listen first.
- ConciergeText hidden. Listen first.
- OliverText hidden. Listen first.
- ConciergeText hidden. Listen first.
- OliverText hidden. Listen first.
- ConciergeText hidden. Listen first.
- OliverText hidden. Listen first.
- ConciergeText hidden. Listen first.
- OliverText hidden. Listen first.
- ConciergeText hidden. Listen first.
- OliverText hidden. Listen first.
- ConciergeText hidden. Listen first.
- OliverText hidden. Listen first.
- ConciergeText hidden. Listen first.
Practice · 3 min
Shadow Oliver first. He opens with a softener, "I hope you can help", which makes a strange request easier to hear. Keep it light. Then take the concierge's part. She's efficient and warm at the same time; her answers are short and end on a solution.
- OliverExcuse me, I hope you can help. I have a slightly strange request.
- ConciergeThat's what I'm here for. What do you need?
- OliverI need twenty printed copies of a report by seven tomorrow morning. In color.
- ConciergeOur business center has a printer. It opens at six.
- OliverCan it print twenty copies of forty pages in an hour?
- ConciergeHonestly, no. It's slow, and it only prints black and white.
- OliverThat's what I was afraid of. The meeting's at eight, on the other side of Singapore.
- ConciergeThere's a print shop two streets away that opens early. I can call them now.
- OliverTonight? Would they really do it?
- ConciergeIf you send me the file, I'll pass it on. They can deliver here by six thirty.
- OliverThat would save my whole morning. Thank you.
- ConciergeMy pleasure. Is there anything else?
- OliverActually, yes. My flight isn't until ten p.m. tomorrow. Is a late checkout possible?
- ConciergeI can give you until two p.m. at no charge. After that, it's half the room rate.
- OliverTwo is fine. I'll work in the lobby after that.
- ConciergeGood. And I'll have the copies sent up to your room as soon as they arrive.
- OliverYou've saved me. I was ready to print them one by one all night.
- ConciergePlease don't. Get some sleep. That's the best thing you can do for the meeting.
Say it today
Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.