Asking a Store Employee
A customer is in a retail store and needs to find the restroom. They approach a store employee to ask for directions.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
restroom
A polite word for bathroom or toilet, commonly used in public places like stores or restaurants in American English.
excuse me
A polite phrase to get someone's attention before asking a question, useful when approaching strangers.
certainly
Means 'of course' or 'sure', a polite way to agree to help or answer a question.
fitting rooms
Areas in clothing stores where customers can try on clothes privately before buying.
sign
A board or notice with words or symbols that gives directions or information, like 'Restroom' signs in public areas.
can't miss it
An informal expression meaning something is very easy to find or notice, often used to reassure someone.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Excuse me, could you tell me where the restroom is?
This is a polite way to ask for directions using 'excuse me' for attention and 'could you tell me' for a request. It's useful in public places to sound courteous; the structure is question word + where + location.
Certainly! The restrooms are located at the back of the store, past the fitting rooms.
A helpful response to give directions, starting with 'certainly' to agree politely. 'Located at' means the position; 'past' means going beyond something. Useful for describing locations in stores.
Okay, so past the fitting rooms. Is it on the left or right?
This confirms understanding with 'okay, so' and asks for clarification using a yes/no question with 'or'. It's practical for getting more details in directions; practice the intonation for questions.
It's on your right, you'll see a sign. You can't miss it.
Clear direction-giving with prepositions like 'on your right' and future 'you'll see'. 'You can't miss it' reassures ease. Useful pattern for simple instructions; note the contraction 'you'll' for 'you will'.
Great, thanks a lot for your help!
An enthusiastic way to say thank you after receiving help, with 'great' showing appreciation. 'Thanks a lot' emphasizes gratitude. Use this to end conversations politely in service situations.
You're welcome! Let me know if you need anything else.
Standard polite reply to thanks, with 'you're welcome' meaning no problem. 'Let me know' offers more help using conditional 'if'. Common in customer service to keep the interaction friendly.