Three dialogues to practice politely interrupting in person or over the phone.

In this lesson you will review the different ways people interrupt supervisors, guests and co-workers.
First, listen for the expressions that they use to interrupt.

Write down the expressions you hear.

Then look at the answers below.....don't peek!

Did you hear the expressions?
In dialogue 1 it was:

Excuse me, I’m sorry to bother you but I have a quick question

Dialogue 2
Excuse me, I couldn’t help overhearing you.

Dialogue 3
Do you have a minute to talk about banquet set up for Thursday?

In what dialogue was the interruption refused? That’s right. In dialogue 3, John was running out to a meeting and asked if he could call Margarita back in an hour.

That completes the exercise. Listen to the dialogues again then record yourself politely interrupting a guest, supervisor or coworker.

TRANSCRIPTS.............

1) "Interrupting a Supervisor at the Office"

Jose: (Knocks) Excuse me, I’m sorry to bother you but I have a quick question.

Fatiha: (Typing) Yes, umm, just a minute. Let me finish this email. Ok, what’s up?

Jose: We just got our order in for eggshell gloss paint but they didn’t send us the correct amount. I called them to ask about it and they said the purchase order listed 80 gallons and not 100. Could you approve this additional P.O. for 20 more gallons? They said they’d give it to us at the agreed upon price.

Fatiha: Fine, ah give it to me. Here. Ok, yes.

Jose: Thanks

Fatiha: No Problem.

2) "Interrupting a Guest"

Husband: Honey, where is the pool?

Wife: I think they said the pool was on the 6th floor. We can go there to check it out first before we go down to breakfast.

Elizabeth: Excuse me, I couldn’t help overhearing you. The pool is on the fifth floor and when you get off the elevator it’s to your right.

Husband: Oh, thank you.

Wife: Yes, thank you Miss.

3) "Interrupting a Supervisor on the phone"

John: Guest Services. This is John.

Margarita: Hi John, this is Margarita. Do you have a minute to talk about banquet set up for Thursday?

John: I’m just running out to a meeting. Can I call you back in an hour?

Margarita: Sure, thanks.

John: Ok, bye.

Margarita: bye.