Asking Permission to Photograph a Scenic View (Public Place)
A tourist is at a famous landmark or natural scenic spot and wants to take a photo that includes other people. They politely ask if it's okay to include them in the shot, or if there are any restrictions.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
interrupting
To interrupt means to stop someone from doing something they are focused on, like talking or enjoying something. Use this politely when approaching strangers to show respect.
scenic
Scenic describes a beautiful view, especially of nature or landscapes. It's useful when talking about photos of pretty places like mountains or landmarks.
landmark
A landmark is a famous building, place, or object that is easy to recognize and often visited by tourists. Use it to refer to well-known sights in a city or area.
mind
In phrases like 'Would you mind?', it means 'Do you object to?' or 'Is it okay with you?'. This is a polite way to ask for permission in everyday situations.
angle
Angle refers to the direction or position from which you take a photo. It's practical for discussing how to frame a picture without including unwanted elements.
go right ahead
This phrase gives permission to do something immediately. It's a friendly way to say 'yes, please proceed' when someone asks if they can do an action.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Excuse me, I hope I'm not interrupting.
This is a polite way to start a conversation with a stranger. 'Excuse me' gets attention, and 'I hope I'm not interrupting' shows respect for their time. Use it when approaching people in public to ask something.
Would you mind if you happen to be in my shot?
This is a polite request for permission. The structure 'Would you mind if...' is conditional and indirect, making it soft and courteous. 'Shot' means photo. Use this when asking if it's okay to include someone in your picture.
No, not at all! Go right ahead.
This gives clear permission. 'Not at all' emphasizes no problem, and 'go right ahead' means proceed freely. It's useful for responding positively to requests, especially in casual encounters like tourism.
That's very kind of you. Thank you so much!
This expresses gratitude for someone's helpfulness. 'Kind of you' compliments their politeness. Use it after receiving permission or help to build positive interactions and show appreciation.
No rush. Take your time!
This reassures someone not to hurry. 'No rush' means there's plenty of time, and 'take your time' encourages relaxing. It's practical for situations where you want to be considerate, like when others are taking photos or doing tasks.