気に入ったパンツの裾が5センチほど長かったので、寸法直しをしてもらえるか主人に尋ねてもらいました。「今日は、セールですから、直しは、後日、来てください、」と言っていたそうです。その時、私も横で注意して聞いていたのですが、さっぱりわかりませんでした。

その日は、セールの日でしたから後ろには長い列です。また、もし私一人だったら、相手の言っていることもわからないし、どう尋ねていいかもわからないことでしょう。結局、買うのをあきらめたと思います。 ひとりで買物をする時、あきらめることがよくあります。

スーパーマーケットで支払いをしようとすると、
レジの人が商品の棚の方を指さして、「get、get」と言いました。
「もうひとつ取っておいで」ということのようです。しかし理由がわかりません。

私は、その商品に何か問題があって取り換えるのかと思いました。
それで、「えっ？　チェンジ？」と言いました。

結局、レジの人はその場を離れて、もうひとつ同じ商品を取りに行きました。
そして、戻ってくると袋にそれを入れてくれました。それはおまけのようです。
「２個買えば、一つおまけがついています」ということでした。

• 1994shopping5.mp3
• 1994shopping4.mp3
• 1994shopping3.mp3
• 1994shopping2.mp3
• 1994shopping1.mp3

Let's start by reading this conversation between a mother and her daughter:

Girl:    Mom, we have to go shopping!
Mom:  Why?  What's wrong with your clothes?  They look brand new.
Girl:    They're so old-fashioned!  No one wears those kinds of pants anymore.
Mom:  We just bought these a couple of months ago.
Girl:    Let's just go window shopping then, I'm dying to go!!
Mom:   All right, you win.  Let's go.

Almost all teenage girls like to go shopping.  In this conversation the girl wanted more clothes because she said hers were old-fashioned.  There are other words we can say to describe something old.  For example:

"out-of-date"   "antique"   "unfashionable"   "timeworn"

and  "outmoded"

Read these example sentences:

"My tie has become unfashionable"

"I need to get rid of these timeworn clothes"


Sometimes they just say that something is "out"  That means that it's old fashioned.   In the conversation above, the daughter mentioned that she was "dying" to go shopping.  People use this word to mean a strong desire.  You might hear people "dying" to go to the beach and so on.

Read this example sentence:

"I'm dying to go to that new store"


When someone goes window shopping, that means they are just looking. Another word we can use is browsing.  Read this short conversation at the store:

Salesperson: Hi!  Can I help you with anything?
Customer:  Oh, I'm just browsing.
Salesperson: All right, just let me know if you need anything.
Customer:  O.K.

Usually we read about sales or see them advertised on the TV or the radio.

Read this advertisement on the radio:

"Come by to Simpson's giant annual sale.  Stock up on double AA batteries, only $2 for a pack of four.  Rechargeable batteries, 2 for $1.  And the entire inventory of electronics, 20% off!  Stop by and save big!  It's the sale that   you've been waiting for all year!  Sale ends July 20, so come in and buy now."





Did you understand that advertisement?  Double AA batteries were $2 for a pack of four.  Rechargeable batteries were 2 for $1.   To "stock up" means to store or keep until you need it.  Read this example sentences:

"Did you stock up on toilet paper?"


Now read this next conversation between a customer and salesperson:

Salesperson: Hi, can I help you?
Customer: Yes, what gift would be appropriate for an 82 year old grandma?
Salesperson: Hmm.  How about this bathrobe?
Customer:  Yes, this is kind of nice. Is it 20% off the marked price?
Salesperson: Uh huh.  It's a good deal.
Customer:  All right, I'll take it.  Can I have it gift wrapped?
Salesperson: You have to go upstairs to the third floor.
Customer: I don't have time.  Can I have a box?
Salesperson: Sure.  Here's some tissue paper and a ribbon too.

When you look for a sale, you have to read the signs carefully.  Here are some different kinds of sales.







Read these example sentences:

"Is this 50% off the original price?"

"Is this 20% off the marked price?"


If you can't remember those sentences, you can use this one:

"Is this the actual price?"


Many Americans buy a lot of food at one time and store it in the freezer or in their shelves.  If you have a lot of groceries, you might need to have the bag boy help you carry your things to the car.

Read the conversation between a customer and  a bag boy:

Customer:  Oh my goodness.  I have 5 bags of groceries.
Bag boy:  Can I help you carry your bags into your car ma'am?
Customer:  Yes, I'd appreciate it.
Bag boy:  There, all ready to go.
Customer:  Here's something for your trouble.
Bag boy:  Thank you very much. Have a good day!
Customer:  You too.

You can choose to tip or not to tip, itユs up to you.  If you want to tip them you can say these pleasant sentences:

"Here's something for your trouble"

or
"Thank you for your help"






Nowadays, supermarkets have special stores inside.  They might have a deli, a meat counter or a plant shop.  Read this conversation inside a fish market.

Salesperson:  Hi, have you been helped?
Customer:  No, not yet.  Do I have to take a number?
Salesperson:  We're not using that today.  What can I get for you?
Customer: I'd like two pounds of Aku.
Salesperson:  Is that all?
Customer: Yes.  When should I eat it?
Salesperson:  The sooner, the better.  It's very fresh right now and if you  wait another day, it won't taste as good.  So put it in the refrigerator or it will spoil.
Customer:  All right.  Thanks.

With fresh meat, they may give you instructions like this.  Read these example sentences:

"The sooner, the better"

"The sooner you eat it, the better it will be"

"Eat it as soon as possible"







Now, let's read this conversation between a small boy and his mother:

Michael:  Mommeee…  I want some candy!
Mom:  No, not right now, I don't want you to spoil your appetite.
Michael:  Here.  Let's buy these!!
Mom:  No, don't touch.  This is your last warning.  The next time you're going to get a spanking.
Michael:  You never give me anything I want.
Mom:  That's not true.  I tell you what.  I'll let you choose one box of  cereal.
Michael:  Ooooo.  I like this, this, that, this.
Mom:  Don't  go overboard now. Just one.  Do I have to sound like a broken record?
Michael:  O.K. I'll take that one.

Kids often want too much and beg their parents to buy them something. The parent will scold them and say something like this:

"Don't touch!!  This is your last warning"

"That's enough"

or
"Stop whining"


Did you notice that the mother said,

"Don't go overboard"


This means to stay under control.  If someone says:

"Let's not go overboard"


They want you to stay under control.  Now read this next conversation between a mother and her son shopping for clothes:

Son:    Why do I need new clothes?
Mother:  You'll be starting school soon and your old clothes are worn out.
Salesperson:  Hello, can I help you?
Mother:  Yes.  Do you have any jeans like these in his size?
Salesperson:  I'm sorry.  We're all out of stock in that size.
Mother:  Do you know where I can find them?
Salesperson:  You might try our downtown store.
Mother: O.K. thanks.

There are different reasons that parents buy clothes for their children.  Read these example sentences:

"His clothes are worn out"

"He's grown out of his shirts"


You might want something but can't find the right size.  Read these example sentences:

"Do you have any jeans like these in his size?"

"Do you have any in size 5?"


The store you go to might not have what you are looking for.  It's all right to ask the salesperson if they know where you can find something.

You might want to ask the salesperson where you can find what you are looking for.  Here are some sentences you can use:

"Do you know where I can find them?"

"Do you have any idea where I can find this kind of jeans?"


Now, read this final conversation between a saleswoman and a father:

Salesperson:  This outfit is perfect for your daughter!
Father: Hmm.  But it's a little bit too big.
Salesperson:  That's all right, she'll  grow into it.
Father: Yes.  Kids grow out of their clothes so fast!
Salesperson:   Especially when they become teenagers.  That's when they have their  biggest growth spurt.
Father: All right, I'll take it.  But if she doesn't like it, can I return it?
Salesperson:  Certainly.  Just save the receipt.

Kids do grow into and out of their clothes quickly.  "Grow into" something means that the clothes are too big.  "Grow out" means that the clothes have become too small for the person.  Read these example sentences:

"Your baby daughter will grow into this dress soon."

"My son has grown out of all his clothes."






If you are not sure whether you can return something or not, you can ask this sentence:

"What is your return policy?"

Read this conversation at a department store:

Clerk: Hello, may I help you?
Customer: Yes, May I try this on?
Clerk: Sure, go ahead.
Customer: Where's the dressing room?
Clerk: It's over there on the right wall.

When you are at a department store, you will need to "try on" clothes before you buy them. Before going into the dressing room, you should ask permission.

The first words a salesperson will ask you are:

"May I help you?"    or   "Can I help you?"


The customer answered with:

"May I try this on?"


He could also have said:

"Can I try this on?"   or   "I'd like to try this on."


If you don't want to "try on" anything, you can say:

"I'm just looking."


Now, read this short conversation:

Clerk: May I help you?
Customer: No, thanks. I'm just looking.


If you don't know where the dressing room is, you can ask the clerk.
Read the last part of that conversation again:

Customer: Where's the dressing room?
Clerk: It's over there on the right wall.


Another way to say the same thing is:

"Where can I try this on?"


Read this short conversation:

Customer: Excuse me, where can I try this on?
Clerk: The dressing room is over there on the right.

Read this similar conversation:

Clerk: Hello, can I help you?
Customer : Yes, can I try this shirt on?
Clerk: Yes you can.
Customer: Where can I try this on?
Clerk: The dressing room is over there on the right wall.





Once you are in the dressing room, you might need to ask for help.
Read this conversation:

Clerk: How are you doing in there?
Customer: Could you help me?
Clerk: Sure.
Customer: What kind of material is this?
Clerk: It's cotton.


The salesperson might ask you:

"How are you doing in there?"

or they might say:   "Do you need any help?"


If you don't need any help, you can say:

"I'm doing fine"   or   "I'm OK"


If you do need help, don't hesitate to ask the salesclerk because that's their job. Now read this conversation:

Clerk: How are you doing in there?
Customer: Could you help me?
Clerk: Sure.
Customer: Do you have another size?
Clerk: Yes, what size do you want?
Customer: I want a size 7.

 
Did you understand that conversation? She asked for help and the salesperson went to get her another size. Let's read part of that conversation again:

Clerk: How are you doing in there?
Customer: Could you help me?

If the customer needs help, they can say:

"Could you help me?"

"Would you help me?"

or

"I need your help"


Before buying something, you should check the label to see what kind of material it is made out of and also how it is to be washed. You can also ask the salesperson.Read this conversation:

Customer: What kind of material is this?
Clerk: It's 100% cotton.

The customer asked:

"What kind of material is this?"


Another way that he could have said the same thing is:

"What's this made of?"


There are many different kinds of material. Read these short conversations:

Michael: What material is this?
Michiko: It's cotton.

Michael: What's this made of?
Michiko: It's made of wool.

Michael: What kind of material is this?
Michiko: It's a polyester blend.




Did you hear those different types of material. Cotton, wool, polyester blend. Now listen to those sentences again and repeat after me and Michiko:

The reason that it's important to know the kind of material is because each type of material requires different washing instructions. For example:

"Wool may need to be dry cleaned"   or   "Cotton may need to be washed in cold water"


It's also important to know if it's possible to wash in a washing machine or if you have to wash it by hand. If you are unsure, you can ask the clerk.

Read these conversations:

Customer: Can I wash this in the washing machine?
Clerk: Yes, you can. It's made from cotton.

Customer: Should I wash this by hand?
Clerk: Yes, it's better not to wash this in the washing machine because it's made out of silk.

Read this conversation:

Clerk: Hello, may I help you?
Customer:Yes, May I try this on?
Clerk: Sure, go ahead.
Customer: Where's the dressing room?
Clerk: It's over there on the right wall.

Clerk: How are you doing in there?
Customer: O.K. but could you help me?
Clerk: Sure.
Customer: What material is this?
Clerk: It's made out of cotton?
Customer: Can I wash this in the washing machine?
Clerk: Yes, you can.
Customer: OK. I'll take it.

Here are the key sentences to remember:

"May I try this on?"   or   "I'd like to try this on?"


"Where's the dressing room?"    or   "Where can I try this on?"

"Could you help me?   or   "I need your help."

"What's this made of?"    or   "What kind of material is this?"
 

昼食後、ホテルの中にあるブティックを覗いていました。そして、店の入り口の「５０％off 」という貼紙に誘われ、中に入りました。気に入ったバッグがあったので、半額ならば買ってもいいと思い、店の人に値段を確かめました。しかし、そのバッグは、「５０％off 」の商品ではないようです。どうしても欲しいわけではないのですが、場合によっては買ってもいいといった気分でした。そんな時、ちょっと英語を楽しむといった気持ちで、小さな交渉を出来ればいいなと思いました。

このバッグは５割引きですか？
このバッグはごわりびきですか？

Is this bag 50%(percent) off?

この値札価格の５割引きということですね？
このねふだかかくのごわりびきということですね？

Do I take an additional 50% off the price on the tag?

どの品物が５割引きですか？
どのしなものがごわりびきですか？

Which items are 50% off?

割引された値段が値札につけられていますか？
わりびきされたねだんがねふだにつけられていますか？

Is the discount price already marked on the tag?

この品物はどのくらい割引されますか？
このしなものはどのくらいわりびきされますか？

What is the discount for this item?

この品物はいくらになるんですか？
このしなものはいくらになるんですか？

What is the sale price for this item?

いくらお安くなりますか？
いくらおやすくなりますか？

How much cheaper would this be?

11/8/2000

（ジャパニーズビーチプレス連載）