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Paying with a Parking Attendant

The user pays a parking attendant directly, typically at an exit booth. This involves handing over a ticket or stating the parking duration, inquiring about the fee, and making a payment.

Dialogue

Listen and follow along with the conversation

1
John (Male)
Hi, I'm ready to pay. Here's my ticket.
2
Emily (Female)
Okay, let me scan that for you. So, you parked for two hours and forty-five minutes. That'll be twelve dollars.
3
John (Male)
Twelve dollars, got it. Do you take card or is it cash only?
4
Emily (Female)
We accept both cash and card, whichever you prefer.
5
John (Male)
Great, I'll pay with my card then. Here you go.
6
Emily (Female)
Thank you. Just insert your card here. And would you like a receipt?
7
John (Male)
No, thanks, no receipt needed. Have a good day!
8
Emily (Female)
You too! Your payment is complete. The gate will open now. Drive safely.

Vocabulary

Essential words and phrases from the dialogue

ticket

A small piece of paper or card given when you enter a parking lot; you show it to pay when leaving.

scan

To quickly read or check something electronically, like passing a ticket under a light to get information from it.

parked

The past tense of 'park,' meaning you left your car in a specific spot for some time.

cash

Physical money in the form of bills and coins, as opposed to digital payment.

card

Short for credit or debit card, a plastic card used to pay without using cash.

receipt

A printed or digital document that proves you have paid for something; useful for records.

insert

To put something into a slot or opening, like sliding a card into a machine to pay.

Key Sentences

Important phrases to remember and practice

Hi, I'm ready to pay. Here's my ticket.

This is a polite way to start a payment conversation. 'I'm ready to pay' shows you're prepared, and 'Here's my ticket' means 'This is the ticket for my car.' Use this when approaching someone to pay for services like parking.

So, you parked for two hours and forty-five minutes. That'll be twelve dollars.

This sentence explains the parking time and total cost. 'That'll be' is a contraction of 'That will be,' commonly used in service situations to state the amount due. It's useful for confirming fees in transactions.

Do you take card or is it cash only?

This is a question to check payment options. 'Do you take' means 'Do you accept,' and 'cash only' means no cards allowed. Use this when you're unsure how to pay, like at stores or parking lots.

We accept both cash and card, whichever you prefer.

This offers choices for payment. 'Whichever you prefer' means 'any one you like best.' It's a customer-friendly response in service roles, showing flexibility.

Just insert your card here.

This gives simple instructions for payment. 'Just' makes it sound easy and reassuring. Use imperative sentences like this to guide someone on how to do something step by step.

No, thanks, no receipt needed. Have a good day!

This politely declines something and ends the conversation positively. 'No receipt needed' is a common phrase to say you don't want proof of payment. 'Have a good day' is a friendly goodbye used in American English.