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.

OliverConcierge

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.

  1. OliverExcuse me, I hope you can help. I have a slightly strange request.
  2. ConciergeThat's what I'm here for. What do you need?
  3. OliverI need twenty printed copies of a report by seven tomorrow morning. In color.
  4. ConciergeOur business center has a printer. It opens at six.
  5. OliverCan it print twenty copies of forty pages in an hour?
  6. ConciergeHonestly, no. It's slow, and it only prints black and white.
  7. OliverThat's what I was afraid of. The meeting's at eight, on the other side of Singapore.
  8. ConciergeThere's a print shop two streets away that opens early. I can call them now.
  9. OliverTonight? Would they really do it?
  10. ConciergeIf you send me the file, I'll pass it on. They can deliver here by six thirty.
  11. OliverThat would save my whole morning. Thank you.
  12. ConciergeMy pleasure. Is there anything else?
  13. OliverActually, yes. My flight isn't until ten p.m. tomorrow. Is a late checkout possible?
  14. ConciergeI can give you until two p.m. at no charge. After that, it's half the room rate.
  15. OliverTwo is fine. I'll work in the lobby after that.
  16. ConciergeGood. And I'll have the copies sent up to your room as soon as they arrive.
  17. OliverYou've saved me. I was ready to print them one by one all night.
  18. 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.