Travel Nightmares & Indirect Questions | B1 English Podcast #22
Have you ever stayed in a terrible hotel? Do you know how to complain politely in English without being rude? 🏨😤
📝 Transcript
Click any sentence to jump to that moment in the video. Use the 🔊 button to hear the pronunciation.
Hello travelers. Welcome to episode 22. Level B1 continues. I am Lucas. Today I am not happy. I want to talk to the manager.
Unfortunately, it's a real shame. Instead, we are looking closely at the sometimes stressful, often messy, and always interesting world of travel problems. But more importantly, we will learn about being polite.
And when it doesn't work, I want to complain loudly. Right? That is my right as a paying customer, isn't it? If I pay $500 for a room, I expect it to be perfect.
I'm not sure about that. Or worse, it makes the staff do only the smallest amount of work. Just to make you leave. Complaining politely.
Yes, longer, clearer sentences. And we will explain these ideas clearly so you can use them in real life. Okay. I will try to be calm, but I warn you, I have many complaints saved from my last vacation. Many. I'm ready to say them.
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📖 Vocabulary
Key vocabulary from this episode with part of speech, meaning, and example sentences. Practice along with the video above.
to study or discuss something in great detail
Today, we are taking a deep dive into travel problems.
the quality of being kind and respectful to others
The art of politeness can help you get better service.
the smallest amount that is possible or necessary
Complaining loudly might make staff do only the bare minimum.
to explain or analyze something in detail
We will unpack these concepts so you can use them.
money paid as a first payment or as security
The hotel asked for a deposit when I checked in.
a plastic card used instead of a key to open a door
I lost my key card and couldn't get into my room.
a sum of money that is returned to you, for example, because you are not satisfied with goods or services you have paid for
I demanded a full refund because the room was terrible.
something, typically money, awarded to someone in recognition of loss, suffering, or injury
I was wondering if some kind of compensation might be possible for the inconvenience.
| Word | Type | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| deep dive | phrase | to study or discuss something in great detail | Today, we are taking a deep dive into travel problems. |
| politeness | noun | the quality of being kind and respectful to others | The art of politeness can help you get better service. |
| bare minimum | phrase | the smallest amount that is possible or necessary | Complaining loudly might make staff do only the bare minimum. |
| unpack | verb | to explain or analyze something in detail | We will unpack these concepts so you can use them. |
| reservation | noun | a booking for a room, table, or seat | Do you have a reservation under your name? |
| deposit | noun | money paid as a first payment or as security | The hotel asked for a deposit when I checked in. |
| key card | noun | a plastic card used instead of a key to open a door | I lost my key card and couldn't get into my room. |
| out of order | phrase | not working correctly | The elevator is out of order, so we have to use the stairs. |
| refund | noun | a sum of money that is returned to you, for example, because you are not satisfied with goods or services you have paid for | I demanded a full refund because the room was terrible. |
| compensation | noun | something, typically money, awarded to someone in recognition of loss, suffering, or injury | I was wondering if some kind of compensation might be possible for the inconvenience. |
✏️ Exercises
Test your understanding with fill-in-the-blank and multiple choice questions. Click "Check" to see the answer.
We are taking a ___ ___ today into travel problems.
Which word means 'the quality of being kind and respectful'?
Complaining loudly usually makes the staff do the ___ ___.
I have a hotel ___ for tonight, so I should have a room.
What is the correct indirect question for 'Where is the toilet?'
The elevator is ___ ___ ___ today, so we must use the stairs.
If you want your money back for a bad service, you ask for a ___.
I was wondering if breakfast ___ included.
Which phrase is used to deliver bad news politely?
Do you have any idea why the AC ___ broken?
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