016_Polite_Departures

016_Polite_Departures

Nichibei student Sumana wants to know how to politely excuse herself from a party.

Kevin:

Hello and welcome back to another episode of Nichibei Kaiwa Gakuin Podcasting. A great place to review English words and phrases. This episode I spoke to Nichibei Student Sumana about polite departures. Hello Sumana, how are you today?

Sumana:

Just great Kevin, thanks.

Kevin:

Sumana, you said you had a question for our teachers today.

Sumana:

That’s right Kevin. I was wondering about this situation. Let’s say I was at a party and I was ready to leave. What are some good, smooth and polite phrases for leaving?

Kevin:

No problem Sumana. We’ve got some good, smooth and polite teachers we can ask.
First I approached Nichibei instructor Tony Demko with Sumana’s question. Tony, did you hear Sumana’s question?

Tony Demko:

Yes I did.

Kevin:

So what’s your opinion?

Tony Demko:

When you want to leave a party you should find the host and say that you enjoyed the party and you have to leave.

Kevin:

What kind of phrase do you use for that?

Tony Demko:

I’d say something like…”Thanks for a great party, but I’d better go.”

Kevin:

That sounds good, but what if the host wants you to stay? You know, if they say “Can’t you stay a little longer?, it’s not that late.”

Tony Demko:

Well, in that case you’ll have to give an excuse. Something like “Thanks, but I’ve got to get up early” …or…”I’ve got a big day tomorrow”

Kevin:

“A big day” means….

Tony Demko:

A big day simply means you have a busy day tomorrow,… a lot to do.

Kevin:

Thanks very much Tony.

Tony Demko:

Glad I could help.

Kevin:

There you are Sumana. Did you catch those phrases?

Sumana:

Yes I did.

Kevin:

Alright then. Let’s give it a try. I’ll play the host and you are a guest who is ready to leave.

Sumana:

OK. …Kevin, thanks for a great party, but I’d better go.

Kevin:

Really? Can’t you stay a little longer? It’s not that late.

Sumana:

Thanks, but I’ve got to get up early.

Kevin:

OK, I understand. Thanks so much for coming…Perfect Sumana, that sounded great. Now let me get the opinion of one more teacher.
This time I’ll ask Nichibei teacher John Comerford. So John, you heard Sumana’s question and Tony’s response. Do you have anything to add?

John Comerford:

Sure. Sometimes I go to parties that are very far away and it takes a long time to get home by train.

Kevin:

I know what you mean, I live in Chigasaki.

John Comerford:

Yeah, so in this situation I often tell the host that It’s time for me to go with the phrase “I should make a move”.

Kevin:

Could you explain “to make a move”?

John Comerford:

“To make a move” means to start moving or start doing something.

Kevin:

Could you make an example sentence?

John Comerford:

Sure. I’d say….Thank you for a lovely party, but I should make a move. …You might also add your reason for leaving…such as…”It’s a long train trip back to Chiba, …something like that.

Kevin:

Good advice John. Thanks for your help.

John Comerford:

Glad to help and have a nice Golden Week.

Kevin:

There’s another phrase Sumana. Would you like to give it a try?

Sumana:

Sure. …Well Kevin, Thanks for a lovely party, but I should make a move.

Kevin:

Oh really, do you have to go? It’s not that late.

Sumana:

Thanks, but It’s a long way back to Saitama.

Kevin:

Yes that’s true. Well, Thanks for coming. Take care.

Sumana:

Bye.

Kevin:

Bye…That was great. You sounded very smooth and polite.

Sumana:

Thanks.

Kevin:

Now let’s review the phrases for this episode.
Thanks for a great party, but I’d better go.
I’ve got a big day tomorrow.
Thank you for a lovely party, but I should make a move.

That’s all for this episode, but be sure to read the transcript of this podcast at www.nichibei.ac.jp/podcasting . Nichibei Kaiwa Gakuin Podcasting will return in two weeks after the Golden week holiday with a fresh new format for Spring Term 2006. So, please enjoy Golden Week and we will return in two weeks. This podcast is a production of Nichibei Kaiwa Gakuin and Live Mix Media.