The moment

Omar's tenth wedding anniversary is next week, and he's in a small jewelry store in Dubai. He has already fallen for a gold necklace in the window, but the price is a shock. Charlotte, who works there, helps him find something that fits his budget and his wife's taste. Listen for how Omar says no to the price politely, and for the detail that makes the cheaper choice feel more special.

The conversation

OmarCharlotte
  1. Omar
  2. Charlotte
  3. Omar
  4. Charlotte
  5. Omar
  6. Charlotte
  7. Omar
  8. Charlotte
  9. Omar
  10. Charlotte
  11. Omar
  12. Charlotte
  13. Omar
  14. Charlotte

Words to know

like something very much, very quickly

wait too long before doing something

a soft opener before a personal question

made completely of gold, not only covered in it

a polite way to give bad news

Check yourself

1Why doesn't Omar buy the gold necklace?
2Why does Charlotte start her question with "Can I ask"?
3What makes the silver necklace feel special to Omar?

Practice · 3 min

Round one: repeat every line. Round two: mute Omar and say his lines, especially the polite no about the price. Round three: mute Charlotte and practice helping a customer without making him feel embarrassed. Then say "It's more than I planned to spend" the next time something costs too much.

  1. OmarHi. Could I see the gold necklace in the window, please?
  2. CharlotteOf course. It's one of our favorites. Is it for someone special?
  3. OmarMy wife. It's our tenth anniversary next Thursday, and I've left it late.
  4. CharlotteYou're not the first. This one is solid gold, and it's twelve hundred dollars.
  5. OmarOh. It's lovely, but I'm afraid it's more than I planned to spend.
  6. CharlotteNo problem. Can I ask what budget you have in mind?
  7. OmarAround four hundred. And honestly, she prefers something simple.
  8. CharlotteThen have a look at this. It's a very similar design in sterling silver.
  9. OmarThat's nice. But will it look cheap next to the gold one?
  10. CharlotteNot at all. Silver goes with everything, and many people prefer it.
  11. OmarShe does wear silver most days. Do you do engraving?
  12. CharlotteWe do. We could add your wedding date on the back by Tuesday.
  13. OmarThat's perfect. It's more about the meaning than the price anyway.
  14. CharlotteExactly. Let me write down the date, and I'll wrap it for you.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.