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When it's time to pay for services rendered there are several expressions that both the guests and staff may used. Look at these examples.

From Staff                                                   From Guests

      Will that be cash or charge?                           I'll be paying with cash.  

                                                                                 Can I charge this to my room

                                                                                    and pay when I check out?

      How will you be paying?                                  I'd like to use a credit card. 

                                                                                 Do you accept VISA or

                                                                                     MasterCard?

      Could you sign here please?                          There you are.              

      Here’s you change sir.                                     That's OK, keep the change.

      Would you like a receipt?                                Could I have a receipt

                                                                                     please?          

      I’ll check the bill again if you like.                    This seems a bit much. Can

                                                                                     this be right?

      A service charge is included in the bill.          Is a tip or gratuity included in

                                                                                     the bill?

      Let me double check that for you ma’am.      I think there’s been a mistake

                                                                                     on the bill.

      Sorry about the mistake sir.   

Dialogue

Guest: Could I have the check please?

Staff: Of course sir, I'll be back in a moment.

Guest: I'd like to check out please.

Staff: Of course sir, could I have your room number and room key?

Guest: The room was 333. Here's the key.

Staff: Did you use the mini bar sir?

Guest: Yes, I had a couple of sodas.

Staff: The total comes to $577.99. Will you be charging this sir?

Guest: Yes, put it on my Visa Card.

Staff: Sign here please. And thank you for staying with us.

Guest: There you go. Thanks

Staff: How will you be settling your bill sir?

Guest: I’ll be paying by cash.

Staff: Yes sir, here’s the bill.

Guest: Excuse me, but what is this charge for?

Staff: Let me see, it’s for an apple pie.

Guest: But we didn’t order apple pie.

Staff: I’m terrible sorry for the error sir. Let me refigure this. Here you go sir.

Guest: That looks right. Thank you.

Staff: Sorry for the error sir, and please come again.

Staff: Would you like to pay for the tennis court in cash or charge it to your

            room?

Guest: Just charge it to my room please.

Staff: Yes sir, if you could just sign here.

Guest: There you are.

Staff: Thank you sir, have a pleasant day.

Practice

Practice using the above expressions by having a dialogue similar to the ones above with a partner, one partner taking the role of the guest and the other the role of the staff. For additional practice, switch roles. Practice the dialogue several times, trying to use all of the expressions noted above.

More Practice

Role play the following situations with a partner, one person taking the role of the guest and the other person taking the role of a hotel staff.

• The guest didn’t order a beer with dinner

• The bill had a charge for a deluxe burger, not a plain burger

• The bill included a charge for 2 glasses of tea, the guest only had 1

• The bill didn’t include 2 orders of ice cream

• The guest got the wrong bill, for someone else’s order

Most hotels have shops of one sort or another in them, and of course guests use these shops to make purchases. There are any number of expressions that are used when shopping. Look at some of these examples.

    May (can) I be of assistance?                             How much are the... (blue

                                                                                      jeans)?

    How can (may) I help you?                                  Could you tell me the price of

                                                                                      that ... (camera)?

    May I assist you?                                                  Do you have any...(playing

                                                                                       cards)?

    Could I help you find something?                        No thanks, I’m just browsing.

    How much  is this cap?                                        That's... ( $9.99)

    How much are these earrings?                           They are ... ( 4500 Baht).

    What ...  ( size do you need)?                              I ...( wear a size 12).

    I'm sorry, that's the largest size we carry.           Do you have this in... (a

                                                                                       larger size)?

    Yes, it also comes in ...(green, red,                    Does this come in ... ( a and

       blue)                                                                       different color)?

Dialogues

Staff: Welcome to THE BOUTIQUE. How may I help you?

Guest: I'm looking for a bathing suit?

Staff: A one piece, two piece, or a bikini?

Guest: A two piece, but not too revealing.

Staff: We have some over here.

Guest: That blue and white polka dot one looks nice. How much is it?

Staff: It's $75.

Guest: That's a bit pricey, but  I'll take it.

Staff: Good  afternoon, may I be of assistance?

Guest: Yes, how much is the carved elephant?

Staff: That's 755 Baht.

Guest: Could you tell me what it's made from?

Staff: That's made from teak.

Guest: I'll take it.

Guest: Excuse me, do you have any yellow T-shirts?

Staff: Yes sir, they are right over there.

Guest: Thanks. Do you have any bigger ones?

Staff: Let me check in the back. I'll return in a moment.

Guest: Thanks.

Staff: Good  afternoon, may I be of assistance?

Guest: No thanks,  just looking around.

Staff: OK, if you need anything, just  let me know.

Guest: Oh, I will.

Practice

Practice using the above expressions by having a dialogue similar to the ones above with a partner, one partner taking the role of the guest and the other the role of the staff. For additional practice, switch roles. Practice the dialogue several times, trying to use all of the expressions noted above.

More Practice

Role play the following situations with a partner, one person taking the role of the guest buying something in a shop and the other person taking the role of a clerk at the shop. The guest should ask questions about price, colors, sizes, what made from, etc.

    The guest is looking for the following items

• A baseball cap

• A T-shirt

• A pair of sun glasses

• A stone sculpture of  Buddha

• An audio CD

Other Useful TEFL Links

Yada-Yada English

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and situations.

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