Asking for Permission
Lesson Plan
Activities Work Sheets
Many times, hotel staff will find themselves in situations where they will have to take some
action that will effect the guest. In these cases, the staff should politely ask the guest for
their permission before taking any action. The guest may also ask permission to do
something. It is only polite to ask for their permission before doing so. There are several
expressions that can use used for asking for permissions. Look at the expressions
below.
Expressions- Permission
To ask permission Possible responses
Is it OK if . . . I really wish you wouldn’t.
Do you mind if . . . No, I don’t mind. Go ahead
May I . . . Sure, no problem.
Would it be a problem if . . . No problem at all.
Would it be OK if . . . No, please don’t
I would prefer that you didn’t.
Dialogue- Permission
Staff: May I pour you more wine, ma’am?
Guest: Sure.
Staff: Do you mind if I clean the room now, sir?
Guest: Actually, would it be possible for you to come back in half an hour?
Staff: No problem, ma’am.
Guest: May I borrow you pen.
Staff: Absolutely sir, here you go.
Guest: Would it be a problem if I left my luggage here for a few minutes?
Staff: No problem at all, sir. I’ll, keep on eye on it.
Staff: Is it OK if I make a copy of your passport?
Guest: Sure, whatever you need.
Conversation Activities- Permission
1. 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. Fora
additional practice, switch roles. Practice the dialogue several times, trying to use all of the
expressions noted above.
2. 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.
Permission by Staff
Move some luggage out of the passage way
Open a window
Refill a coffee cup
Pull down a shade
Get their room key or card
Permission by guest
Leave bags behind a counter
Smoking in a restaurant
Borrow a pen
Take newspaper from lounge to read in room
Leave a message for a friend
Other Links
