Excuse me please !!

Have you ever ordered at a restaurant in a foreign country only to get an ugly look from the waiter? Have you ever asked somebody to do you a favor, only then to have them refuse with an upset tone in their voice? Well, maybe your problem when speaking English comes down to a lack of politeness.

The English language is full of these little formalities which can definitely determine whether you’re going to make a good first impression on someone or not. We have this unspoken etiquette when asking for information, or even when we’re offering something and we have to take into consideration how we are offering it. Using please and thank you is necessary in most situations. In a lot of situations, people expect a sort of indirect way of speaking to each other, which in my opinion is a little silly. But hey, when in Rome do as the Romans do (follow the cultural rules wherever you are).

Making Requests/Asking For Something

When ordering in English, we have a standard of politeness. The most common way to order in English would be using:

Can I/Could I – Could I have a coxina please? Can I have a coke please?  Could I order please? Can you lend me ten dollars?

May I (used in more formal situations) – May I attend the meeting next week? May I join you for lunch?

Asking for Permission

A good tip when travelling to another country is to always ask if you’re unsure about the politeness of something. Sometimes what may be normal in your culture might be considered a little rude in someone else’s culture

Do you mind if ……………… / Would it be a problem if I ……………/ I was wondering if I ……………………… These three expressions can be used in any situation when asking for permission. When asking this way we also have to use a softer tone of voice. The reason we do this is because we want the person to know that if it’s going to irritate them, they have the option of saying no without feeling uncomfortable. Sounds crazy right? We’re so worried about offending the other person. That’s English for you.

Not Understanding

In English, when we don’t understand what someone says, the first reaction would be to say “sorry?” (in a soft tone of voice). Not “sorry” like “desculpa” but sorry like “oi?” This is the most common way, and it is considered to be polite.

Instead, always use:

Sorry? – It’s polite and they will repeat, maybe even simplify what they just said.

Pardon (me)? – A more polite way of saying sorry. This is sometimes used in a more formal situation.

Excuse me? – This is asking the person to repeat. Depending on the tone of your voice, it could express shock at what the person said, or maybe that you didn’t like the context of what they said.

Turning Down an Invitation/ Disagreeing

Last but not least, the awkwardness of having to say no to people. When travelling, or spending time in an English speaking country, we are always going to come across these situations.

Ladies (Or guy for that matter), have you ever had to turn a guy down but didn’t want to offend him? Or maybe you have had to disagree with someone, but you didn’t want to be sound defensive. In English, we use these softening tools to make what we say not so direct.

Turning Down an Invitation

§  I’m afraid I can’t…

§  I’d love to but…

§  That sounds great but…

Disagreeing

§  I see what you’re saying, but I think…

§  You could be right, but don’t forget that…

§  Yes that’s true, but I’m not sure that…

“Hey dude, do you want to come to my sisters spelling bee?”  “Hey, I’d love to, but Josh is making spaghetti tonight.”

“Hey sexy! I would love to buy you a drink.” “Oh, I’m afraid I can’t, I have boyfriend.”

.  So, my advice to you all would be to always try to use these polite expressions when in a foreign country, as you can never be too sure what is considered rude or polite in their culture.

Source: http://reallifeglobal.com/how-to-be-polite-in-english

With sport being the main topic of conversation at the moment, I thought it would be a good idea to look at some sporting idioms and their meanings.

Idiom / Saying	Explanation
A ballpark figure (actually a baseball term, but widely used in business in the UK too) For example:- I don't need an exact quotation, just give me a ballpark figure.	Rough estimate.
To get the ball rolling. For example:- If we don't get the ball rolling on this project soon we won't be able to deliver on time.	To get something started.
To keep your eye on the ball. For example:- You'll need to keep your eye on the ball on this project, the technology available is moving so quickly.	To remain alert.
To be on the ball For example:- You need to be on the ball with this customer, he's very clever.	To be quick to understand and react to things.
To play ball For example:- We'll all achieve much more if we just play ball.	To agree to do what someone asks you to do, in the way someone else wants you to do it.
A whole new ball game For example:- I'd done a lot of kayaking in the UK, but the rivers in the French Alps were a whole new ball game.	A completely different situation, often one which is difficult or which you know little about.
The ball's in someone's court For example:- Well I gave them all the information I could, and now the ball's in their court.	To have to do something before any progress can be made in a situation.
A balls up. For example:- He forgot his visuals, so the presentation was a complete balls up.	A bad mistake or shoddy job.
To beat (someone) to the punch (boxing) For example:- We have to get this new product out before our rivals beat us to the punch.	To make the first decisive move in a situation.
To get the boot For example:- They gave him the boot after he failed in his last project.	To be fired or let go from an organization.
It's not cricket For example:- It's not cricket to steal someone's web site.	If someone's behaviour or actions are not cricket, they are not honourable or moral.
To give it your best shot For example:- Whether you pass or fail in the test at least you'll know you gave it your best shot.	To put forth your best effort.
To have get-up-and-go. For example:- I can't play football any more. My get up and go has got up and gone.	To have a high personal energy level.
To go the distance (boxing) For example:- No matter what you say about him, he really went the distance on his last project. No one could have done more.	To carry through a course of action to completion.
To hit below the belt (boxing) For example:- They hit the workers below the belt when they closed the factory gates without any warning.	To act unfairly or unscrupulously. Lit: An illegal move in boxing
The rub of the green. For example:- France had the rub of the green when the referee didn't spot that handball.	To be lucky especially in a sport or pastime played on a green surface.
To jockey yourself into position. (Horseracing) For example:- He got the promotion after jockeying himself into position.	To put yourself into a good position to win something.
To kick something around. For example:- Let's just kick a few ideas around and see what we come up with.	To pass an idea from person to person. Lit: Passing the ball.

With the start of the world cup only a week away I thought it would be a good time to have a look at some footballing expressions. Below we have expressions in English you can shout at the T.V. and their meaning in Portuguese.