Requesting Utensils/Condiments
You've received your order but realize you need extra napkins, forks, or specific condiments like soy sauce. You ask the staff for these additional items.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
Excuse me
A polite way to get someone's attention or interrupt nicely, often used in public places like restaurants.
picked up
Past tense of 'pick up,' meaning to collect or retrieve something, like an order from a store or restaurant.
napkins
Paper tissues used for wiping hands or mouth while eating; essential for takeout food to avoid mess.
forks
Utensils with prongs for eating food; plastic ones are common for to-go orders.
grab
Informal word meaning to quickly take or get something, like extra items from a counter.
handful
A small amount that fits in one hand, used to describe a casual quantity like napkins.
soy sauce packets
Small sealed packets of soy sauce, a common Asian condiment for flavoring food in takeout.
regular
Meaning the standard or normal version, not special or modified, like regular soy sauce vs. low-salt.
low-sodium
A type of food or condiment with reduced salt content, popular for health reasons.
coming right up
An idiomatic expression meaning something will be ready very soon, often said by service staff.
lifesaver
Slang for someone who provides crucial help in a difficult situation, showing strong gratitude.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Excuse me, I just picked up my order for a 'David Miller,' but I realized I didn't get any napkins or forks. Could I grab some?
This polite request uses 'excuse me' to start, past tense 'picked up' and 'realized' for recent actions, and 'could I' for a soft request. Useful for politely asking for missing items after collecting an order.
Certainly! They should have been in the bag, but no worries.
'Certainly' means 'of course' politely; 'should have been' expresses expectation, and 'no worries' reassures casually. Great for customer service responses to show helpfulness without blame.
How many forks and napkins do you need?
A simple question using 'how many' for quantity, with plural nouns. Practical for clarifying customer needs in service situations like restaurants.
Just two forks, please, and a handful of napkins would be great.
'Just' softens the request, 'please' adds politeness, and 'would be great' expresses preference positively. Use this to specify quantities casually and appreciatively.
Oh, and do you happen to have any soy sauce packets?
'Do you happen to have' is a polite way to ask if something is available by chance. The 'oh, and' adds an afterthought. Ideal for adding extra requests naturally.
Are you looking for regular soy sauce or low-sodium?
An alternative question using 'or' to offer choices. 'Looking for' means seeking. Useful in service to confirm preferences and show attentiveness.
Just the regular kind, please. Maybe three packets.
'Just' specifies simply, 'kind' refers to type, and 'maybe' suggests tentatively. Helps in making precise requests for items like condiments.
Alright, two forks, a handful of napkins, and three regular soy sauce packets coming right up!
'Alright' acknowledges, lists items for confirmation, and 'coming right up' means soon. This repeating order summary builds trust and is common in fast service.
Thank you so much! You're a lifesaver.
Intensifier 'so much' shows strong thanks; 'lifesaver' is idiomatic gratitude. Use after receiving help to end interactions warmly.
You're very welcome! Have a great day and enjoy your meal!
'You're very welcome' is a polite response to thanks; well-wishes like 'have a great day' are standard farewells. Perfect for positive customer interactions.