The moment

Li Na and George share an off-campus apartment in Austin. George, who's from Manchester, smokes on their balcony at night, and the smoke drifts straight into Li Na's bedroom window. She's been putting off saying something for two weeks. Listen for how she opens with a softener and a reason, how George reacts, and the surprise that makes the solution easier than either of them expected.

The conversation

Li NaGeorge
  1. Li Na
  2. George
  3. Li Na
  4. George
  5. Li Na
  6. George
  7. Li Na
  8. George
  9. Li Na
  10. George
  11. Li Na
  12. George

Words to know

asking if someone has time to talk

you planned to say it for a while

you didn't know at all

you regret not checking first

Check yourself

1Why does Li Na say "It's not personal"?
2How does George react to Li Na's complaint?
3What surprise makes the solution easier?

Practice · 3 min

Round one: repeat every line after you hear it. Round two: mute Li Na and say her lines, keeping "It's not personal, but..." calm and slow. Round three: mute George and practice his "Good for you" moment from the other side. Then say out loud how you'd raise a smell or noise problem with a roommate, using a softener and a reason.

  1. Li NaHey, George, do you have a minute? There's something I've been meaning to mention.
  2. GeorgeSure. That sounds serious, though. Did I leave the dishes again?
  3. Li NaNo, no. It's not personal, but the smoke from the balcony has been coming into my room.
  4. GeorgeOh, really? I had no idea. I always close the balcony door.
  5. Li NaMy window's right next to it, and my clothes have started to smell like smoke.
  6. GeorgeSorry, that's awful. I should've asked you when we moved in.
  7. Li NaWould you mind smoking down by the parking lot instead? It's only a short walk.
  8. GeorgeThat's fair. Honestly, I'm trying to quit anyway. I'm down to about four a day.
  9. Li NaWait, really? Good for you. How's it going?
  10. GeorgeNot bad. The worst cravings are at night, when I'm stressed about coursework.
  11. Li NaWell, if a craving hits, knock on my door. We could go for a walk instead.
  12. GeorgeActually, that'd help a lot. The walk might be enough on its own.

Say it today

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