Dining at a Restaurant Alone

This dialogue includes most of the basic questions you'll need to know when going to a
restaurant alone. Practice it with a friend.

Waitperson: Hi. How are you doing this afternoon?

Customer (you): Fine, thank you. Can I see a menu, please?

Waitperson: Certainly, here you are.

Customer: Thank you. What's today's special?

Waitperson: Grilled tuna and cheese on rye.

Customer: That sounds good. I'll have that.

Waitperson: Would you like something to drink?

Customer: Yes, I'd like a coke.

Waitperson: Thank you. (returning with the food) Here you are. Enjoy your meal!

Customer: Thank you.

Waitperson: Can I get you anything else?

Customer: No thanks. I'd like the check, please.

Waitperson: That'll be $14.95.

Customer: Here you are. Keep the change!

Waitperson: Thank you! Have a good day!

Customer: Goodbye.

At a Restaurant With Friends

Next, use this dialogue to practice speaking at a restaurant when eating with friends. The
dialogue includes questions to help you choose what to eat. For this role-play, you'll need
three people instead of two.

Kevin: The spaghetti looks really good.

Alice: It is! I had it the last time I was here.

Peter: How is the pizza, Alice?

Alice: It's good, but I think the pasta is better. What would you recommend?
Waitperson: I'd recommend the lasagna. It's excellent!

Alice: That sounds great. I'll have that.

Waitperson: Fine. Would you like an appetizer?

Alice: No, lasagna is more than enough for me!

Kevin: I think I'll have the lasagna as well.

Waitperson: Right. That's two lasagnas. Would you care for an appetizer?

Kevin: Yes, I'll take the calamari.

Peter: Oh, that sounds good! I can't decide between the chicken marsala and grilled fish.

Waitperson: The fish is fresh, so I'd recommend that.

Peter: Great. I'll have the fish. I'd also like a salad.

Waitperson: What would you like to drink?

Kevin: I'll have water.

Alice: I'd like a beer.

Peter: I'll take a glass of red wine.

Waitperson: Thank you. I'll get the drinks and the appetizers.

Kevin: Thank you.

Key Vocabulary and Phrases

Here are some key phrases used to discuss food in a restaurant when ordering and deciding
on what to eat:

 Could I have a menu, please?

 Here you are.
 Enjoy your meal!
 Would you like ...
 Can I get you anything else?
 I'd like the check, please.
 That'll be ...
 Have a good day!
 The spaghetti/steak/chicken looks good.
 How is the pizza/fish/beer?
 What would you recommend?
  I'd like my steak rare/medium/well done.
 Are there any nuts/peanuts? My child has allergies.
 Do you have any vegetarian dishes?
 Could I have a glass of water, please?
 Could you tell me where the restroom is?
 I'd recommend the lasagna/steak/pizza.
 Would you care for an appetizer/a beer/a cocktail?
 I'd like to have a beer/steak/glass of wine.

There are a number of phrases used when drinking at a bar or pub, or in a private home.
Here are some of the most common to start off the evening:

 Cheers!
 Here's to your health.
 Bottoms up (informal, used with shots)

These are more idiomatic ways to say "Cheers"

 Here's mud in your eye.

 Here's to your health.
 Down the hatch.
 Bottom's up!


Toasting Someone or Something

It's also common to use the phrase 'Here's to ...' or 'A toast to ...' and include the name of
the person or thing you are toasting. In more formal occasions, we also use the phrase 'I'd
like to make a toast to ...' and include the name of the person or thing you are toasting, as
well as include a wish beginning with 'May he/she/it...'.

 Person 1: Here's to our new contract!

 Person 2: Here, here!
 Person 1: A toast to Mary!
 Person 2: Cheers!
 Person 1: I'd like to make a toast to Jim. May he live long and prosper!
 Person 2: May he live long and prosper!

Idiomatic Phrases
There are a number of idiomatic phrases that are used when drinking (of course!). A
number of these expressions are slang, others are more common.

 Be on the wagon = to not be drinking, trying not to drink alcohol

 Be pissed as a newt = to be very drunk
 Paint the town red = to go to different bars, drink and have a good time in a city
  Wet your whistle = to have a drink
 Be three sheets to the wind = to be very drunk
 Be under the influence = to feel the alcohol, usually meaning to be drunk

Examples

 Let's paint the town red tonight.

 I'm afraid I'm on the wagon this week. I need to lose some weight.
 I'd like to wet my whistle. Is there a bar anywhere near here?

How to Say Someone Is Drunk

Any of these words below can be used to describe someone who is very drunk. Tipsy, on the
other hand, means to feel the alcohol, but not be very drunk:

 Plastered
 Hammered
 Wasted
 Pissed
 Inebriated

Examples

 Jim was plastered at the party last night.

 Don't come home pissed!
 Wow, man, you're hammered!
 I'm feeling a little tipsy tonight.

Other Words For Drinking

 To quaff = to drink (old fashioned)
 To gulp = to drink very quickly often used with beer
 To drink like a fish = to drink a lot of alcohol
 To sip = to take small drinks of something, often used with wine or cocktails

Examples

 He quaffed his drink while chatting with his mates.

 I gulped down a beer after I finished mowing the lawn.
 Jim drinks like a fish.
Acronyms
 DUI = Driving Under the Influence, used as a criminal charge
 BYOB = Bring Your Own Bottle, used when telling someone to bring alcohol to a
party

Examples

 Peter was arrested on a DUI.

 The party is BYOB, so bring anything you want to drink.

Other Words Used With Alcohol

 When ordering wine, you can ask for a glass of red, white, or rose.
 A cocktail is a mixed drink, often made with strong liquor and fruit juice or another
mixer.
 Liquor is strong alcohol such as vodka, gin, or tequila.
 A house or well drink is a cheaper brand sold by the bar or restaurant
 Pint is a measurement used with beer
 A shot is used with straight alcohol, not mixed.
 Draft beer is pulled from the tap, as opposed to coming from a bottle or a can.
 Booze/hair of the dog / the sauce are all idiomatic names for hard liquor
 Hangover refers to the headache a person gets the morning after drinking heavily.

A Practice Dialog Between a Bartender and a Customer

After a stressful day, Mr. Jackson relaxes at the bar. The bartender, Mark, responds to a
few complaints while he serves Mr. Jackson his favorite cocktail.

 Mr. Jackson: Bartender, could I have a drink? What's taking so long?!

 Bartender: Excuse me, sir. Yes, what can I get you?
 Mr. Jackson: I'd like a whiskey sour.
 Bartender: Certainly sir, I'll get that straight away.
 Mr. Jackson: What a day! My feet are aching! Where's an ashtray?!
 Bartender: Here you go sir. Did you have a busy day?
 Mr. Jackson: Yes, I had to walk all over town to get to meetings. I'm exhausted.
 Bartender: I'm sorry to hear that, sir. Here's your drink. That should help.
 Mr. Jackson: (takes a long sip) That's what I needed. Much better. Do you have
any snacks?
 Bartender: Certainly, here are some peanuts and some savory crackers, and a
napkin.
 Mr. Jackson: Could I have a stir stick?
 Bartender: Coming up... Here you are.
 Mr. Jackson: Thanks. You know, I'm sorry to say this, but these snacks are awful.
 Bartender: I'm terribly sorry about that, sir. What seems to be the matter?
 Mr. Jackson: The peanuts are stale!
 Bartender: I apologize sir, I'll open a fresh can immediately.
 Mr. Jackson: Thanks. Sorry to be in such a bad mood.

 Bartender: That's quite alright. Can I get you another drink? This one's on the
house.
 Mr. Jackson: That's kind of you. Yes, I'll have another whiskey sour.
 Bartender: Right away, sir. Do you have any preferences on the whiskey?
 Mr. Jackson: Hmmm, what's that bottle over there?
 Bartender: That's Jack Daniel's, aged 12 years.
 Mr. Jackson: That sounds good. I'd also like to smoke. Is that possible?
 Bartender: Unfortunately, we don't allow smoking in the bar. You'll have to step
outside.
 Mr. Jackson: No worries. I can wait. So how long have you worked at this bar?
 Bartender: It's been about three years now. I love the challenges of this job.
Self-introduction sample for freshers

"Hi, I am Alisa. I am from Jakarta. I completed my study from Indonesia University in 2018.

My father is a doctor, and my mother is a social worker. I have a younger brother, he is a pilot.

I love playing basketball and have represented my school in many competitions. My active
participation in sports has taught me many skills. I am also an active member of my school alumni
club and take initiative in organizing alumni meets.

I can speak not only English, but also another foreign language such as Mandarin and Japanese.

Hello sir/madam,

It's my pleasure to speak with you. I am (Your Name). Basically, I belong to (City Name). I have
been living in (City Name) for (No. of years/months) now. I stay here with my family. Besides my
parents, there is a younger brother in my family. Currently, I am exploring job opportunities in the
(Domain Name) as I have recently finished (Degree Name) from (University Name).

I am very interested in the (Domain of your interest). That was the reason I chose to pursue higher
studies in (Program Name). Post that, my internship experience and other practical projects in the
college further boosted my interest in (Field name) as a full-time career option.

Not only am I passionate about the field I graduated in (Mention field), I am also inclined towards
creative activities such as dancing, painting, acting, etc. I have always been an active student in
school and college. I have participated in many cultural events during my school and college days
and have won many awards.

In my free time, I enjoy going out with friends and trying new cuisines. I also enjoy watching
movies, listening to music, reading, working out, and going on road trips.

I am looking forward to knowing more about this opportunity and I will be happy to answer more
questions.
Formal Greetings: Arriving

 Good morning / afternoon / evening.

 Hello (name), how are you?
 Good day Sir / Madam (very formal)

Respond to a formal greeting with another formal greeting.

 Good morning Mr. Smith.

 Hello Ms. Anderson. How are you today?

Informal Greetings: Arriving

 Hi / Hello
 How are you?
 How are you doing?
 What's up? (very informal)

It's important to note that the question How are you? or What's up? doesn't necessarily need a
response. If you do respond, these phrases are generally expected:

How are you? / How are you doing?

 Very well, thank you. And you? (formal)

 Fine / Great (informal)

What's up?

 Not much.
 I'm just (watching TV, hanging out, cooking dinner, etc.)

Informal Greetings After a Long Time

If you haven't seen a friend or family member for a long time, use one these informal greetings to
mark the occasion.

 It's great to see you!

 How have you been?
 Long time, no see.
 How are you doing these days?

Formal Greetings: Departing

Use these greetings when you say goodbye at the end of the day. These greetings are appropriate
for work and other formal situations.

 Good morning / afternoon / evening.

  It was a pleasure seeing you.
 Goodbye.
 Goodnight.

Informal Greetings: Departing

Use these greetings when saying goodbye in an informal situation.

 Nice seeing you!

 Goodbye / Bye
 See you later
 Later (very informal)
Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate word for these formal and informal greetings.
1. Saul: "I'd like to __________ you to Mary. Mary this is Helen." Helen: "How do you
__________."
 point...do
 introduce...do
 show...go
 give...be
2. Helen: "It's __________ to meet you." Mary: "It's my __________."
 nice...pleasure
 good...pleasure
 great...pleasure
 All of the answers are correct
3. Jason: "I'm going home now. See you __________." Paul: "__________!"
 tomorrow...later
 later...later
 soon...sounds good!
 All of the answers are correct
4. Ron: "Hey Jack. What's __________?" Jack: "Not much. I'm __________ watching TV."
 on...trying
 home...sitting
 going...not
 up...just
5. Hey there, Joe, What's __________?
 going on
 in the way
 on

Practice your speaking skill by answering these following questions directly.

1. What do you think about Bali?

2. Please mention some interesting tourism objects in Bali.

3. What is your favorite place in Bali, and why?

4. Where do you want to work someday, and why?

5. Please tell me about your dream.