The moment

It's Saturday evening at a public court in Singapore. Charlotte has recently moved from Edinburgh, doesn't know anyone, and wants to play. Arjun is waiting on the side with his team. Listen for how she asks to join, how he explains the local rules, and what happens when a foul call starts a small argument.

The conversation

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

Words to know

asking which team plays the winners

missing one player

fair, with no foul

"I accept your point," to end a disagreement

play the same point or game again

did something good that makes up for a mistake

Check yourself

1How does Charlotte get into the game?
2Why does Arjun say "Let's run it back"?
3What does Arjun mean by "Consider yourself on the team"?

Practice · 4 min

Round one: repeat each line after you hear it. Round two: mute Charlotte and practice asking to join, starting with "Sorry to bother you," so it sounds friendly, not pushy. Round three: mute Arjun and practice ending the argument with "Okay, fair enough." Keep your voice relaxed; that's what stops it from getting bigger.

  1. CharlotteHi, sorry to bother you. Who's got next? I'd love to get into a game.
  2. ArjunWe do, actually, and we're one short. Have you played much?
  3. CharlotteI played in college, but I'm pretty rusty. I haven't played in a year.
  4. ArjunThat's fine. It's game to eleven, and winners stay on.
  5. CharlotteDo you call your own fouls here, or does someone keep track?
  6. ArjunWe call our own. Just don't call every little bump.
  7. CharlotteFoul. He hit my arm when I was shooting.
  8. ArjunReally? I thought that was clean. He barely touched you.
  9. CharlotteI felt it, honestly. But I don't want to argue about it.
  10. ArjunOkay, fair enough. Let's run it back and replay the point.
  11. CharlotteDeal. And sorry about that pass earlier. My bad.
  12. ArjunDon't worry about it. That three you made more than covered it.
  13. CharlotteThanks. Same time next Saturday, if you're short again?
  14. ArjunWe're always short. Consider yourself on the team.

Say it today

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