Real ESL

Sometimes you really need a caffeine fix (a caffeine fix = caffeine to help your brain work). If you do, you don’t want to be stressed out about (to be stressed out about s.t. = to be worried about s.t.) how to order your java (java = coffee).

This is a simple explanation to help you with the vocabulary and American culture involved in ordering some brew (some brew = some coffee). So, watch the video and next time you’re jonesing for some caffeine (to be jonesing for s.t. = to be craving/wanting something very badly, usually some kind of drug), you’ll know what to do.

Check out the transcript below for words you don’t understand and have a great day!

Kim

Transcript for Real ESL Video Lesson 9:

Hi. I’m in Starbucks right now - loud music playing – don’t know if you can hear me and I don’t really know if we can shoot in here, but whatever (whatever = I don’t care), we’ll try. Okay. So, we’re going to turn our attention to (to turn one’s attention to s.t. – to think about s.t., to talk about s.t.) how to order a coffee. Easy, but hard for some people.

You just have to be polite, direct, you don’t need to be rude and you don’t need to be overly polite. You just say, “Can I have a latte please?” They have tall, grande, venti. You say, “Can I have a tall latte please?” And you can also say, “I’d like a latte please.”

Now, do not say: “Give me a latte” or “Let me have a latte.” You’re not Mr. Tough Guy (Mr. Tough Guy = a rude, tough person). You are just a regular person.

Also, don’t bow. “Can I have a latte please?” When I lived in Korea – after I came back – I started bowing at people and you know, they really do think it’s weird here (weird = strange). So, (it’s) better not to bow here, if you’re from Asia. Just look at the person directly, smile and order your coffee. It’s very simple.

Then, they might ask you, “What is your name?” That’s normal here. Just give any name. They don’t care. They just want to make sure you get your coffee.

The other thing is (the other thing is = another point is, another element is, also) they might ask you, “Do you want anything to eat? Do you want a pastry?” You say, “No, thanks,” or “Yes, I’d like …” whatever it is. And that’s it.

So, go for it (go for it = do it). I want you to find a coffee shop in your area. Even if you live in another country, surely (surely = I’m sure, definitely, for sure) you can find a coffee shop in the American/English district. Go for (go for = choose) that place and practice your English.