Make polite requests - 05 - English at Work would like you to watch

Can Anna use polite requests to help her in her new job at Tip-Top Trading? Anna is still getting used to how things work in her new job. She turns to her colleagues to ask for help, but upsets Denise by sounding too bossy.

TRANSCRIPT
Narrator: Welcome back to English at Work. We're still in Anna's first week in the busy offices of Tip Top Trading. How's it going Anna?

Anna: Everything's still so new to me. I keep needing to ask people for help!

Narrator: Well, that's only natural at the beginning. To ask people politely for help use the words would and could. You can also use the word please, but don't make the mistake of thinking's enough to make what you say polite.

Anna: Er, ok.

Paul: Hello Anna!

Anna: Oh hi, Paul!

Paul: I was wondering if you could do something for me?

Anna: Yes of course.

Paul: Would you be able to print out a file for me? It's a document on CBL – Convincing Bananas Limited – they're one of our suppliers. The file should be on the system and could I have it in the next ten minutes please, as they're on their way here for a meeting?

Anna: Yes. Oh no, I've no idea how to find it! Tom...?!

Tom: Er, ask Denise. She should know.

Anna: Ok, thanks Tom, I'll ask her.

Denise: (on the phone to Sharon) I'd warned her, you know, I said 'Victoria, if you don't change your hairdresser

Anna: Denise?

Denise: One day you'll… hold on a moment. Anna?

Anna: Please email me the background file on CBL.

Denise: Er!

Anna: Thank you.

Denise: (on the phone) Who does that girl think she is?... Anna... new girl... I told you about her... yes with the saucepans, that's the one. She's only been here five minutes and she's already acting like the Queen of Sheba...

Anna: Oh and Denise, please send it to me within five minutes, Paul needs it soon. Thank you.

Denise: Really!

Tom: He he, good to see who's the boss, eh Denise?

Denise: Really!

Narrator: Er, Anna, I think you've upset Denise...?

Anna: Upset Denise?

Narrator: You were a bit rude when you asked her to help.

Anna: Was I?

Narrator: Remember what I said Anna. Just using ‘please’ to ask someone to do something can sound a little rude.

Anna: Oh.

Narrator: Instead of saying 'Please send me the file' you could say 'Could you possibly send me the file?' or 'Would you mind sending me the file?'

Anna: Oh! English is so confusing! I'll try to remember that. Oh no, the printer isn't even set up! Tom?

Tom: Yeah?

Anna: Please help me with…I mean, could you possibly help me with the printer?

Tom: Er... I need to finish this email to a really important new client.

Anna: But it's really urgent. Would you mind writing your email later?

Tom: Okay, since you asked so nicely. Let's have a look...

Narrator: Well, it's a good thing Anna has understood how to use 'could' and 'would' to ask for things, before she upsets anyone else. Let's hear those phrases again:

Paul: I was wondering if you could do something for me?
Paul: Would you be able to print out a file for me?
Paul: Could I have it within ten minutes please?
Anna: Could you possibly help me with the printer?
Anna: Would you mind writing your email later?

Narrator: The printer seems to be working well, but how well are Anna and Denise working together? Are these two going to be enemies?

Denise: Really! 'Denise do this! Denise do that!' I'm telling you Sharon, I've almost had enough! I get treated like I'm some kind of servant!

[vkvkvk]

Dear BBC you have no idea how helpful this serie of videos is! Really! I don't know what would I do without English at work! is good. THANK YOUUUU SO

[RickyYe-vhfu]

Interesting and use videos. I strongly believe BBC Learning English is a top observer for culture gaps. Using please isn't enough is something known well by all the natives. However, because of the culture differences, the learners don't know this, resulting in they upset the natives without awareness. Great work, BBC Learning English!

[tl]

Haha I love the role plays, so engaging!

[sanjidaislam]

I love tom's british accent. 👌👌excellent.

[carlostarangomiranda]

I liked the video.
This episode explores language you can use to make polite requests.
Phrases from the programme:
I was wondering if you could do something for me...
Would you be able to print out a file for me?
Could I have it within ten minutes please?
Could you possibly help me with the printer?
Would you mind writing your email later?

[figurehorizon]

It’s a great way of being bbc student

[jedski]

Hi, may I know when is the correct time / what is is the correct way to use ‘would’ instead of ‘could’ and versa?

[dik]

Very very useful! Thank you very much BBC Learning English!

[susan]

Great very uesful ! Thank you so much BBC.

[JMacTheFanatic]

what is "SAUCEPANS"? we don't use this expression in the U.S.

[andrwedguy]

Thanks for the video. I just have a question, when we use the expression "I was wondering if you could help me move" is it always necessary to use could? or is it possible to use other verbs in past or expressions?

[gamemusiccrafts]

Would you mind sharing with us more videos

[ravindrabhuva]

Thank you so much for this.
I have a question that In the video there is adjective 'Possibly and mind'
Is it mandatory to use? And is there any more polite adjectives like those?

2nd question :

Would you mind writing your email later

What is 'writing' ?
Is it gerund?

[МихаилБронников-шх]

Why "I was wondering if you..."??
Correctly is "I will wonder" Am I right?

[angaphoenix]

Is using will is informa; however would is formal in making a request?

[greatvani]

could you possibly, would you mind...

[claudioterogene]

it is amazing, about this lesson Thank you BBC.

[amywu]

’with the saucepans‘ who can kindly tell me what that means？

[wsikora]

What does the verb 'upset' mean ? I have checked in an online-dictonary and it says that it means: to make someone sad, to make someone worried about something, to get to someone. And in some cases it is synonymous to 'anger' as the verb. Could someone possibly explain that to me? I would be grateful. I am kind of confuced by that. Thanks in advance.

[shimaasharaf]

Wonderful all your vidoes
Please advise me what is best way to get benefit ??
Listen frist without see or see and listen togather