22 - The smoker

Language for making polite requests

Anna is off to meet Mr Ingle, the warehouse manager, to discuss stock management. But she finds him doing something dangerous and illegal! She needs to ask him to stop it politely. Find out how she makes this request.

Intermediate · 161130 · 2016-11-30

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BBC UK US US Revised

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rel="noopener noreferrer">cloudflare.com</a> for more information. </div> <div class="mt-3">2026-02-19 18:49:32 UTC</div> </header> <div class="my-8 bg-gradient-gray"> <div class="w-240 lg:w-full mx-auto"> <div class="clearfix md:px-8"> <div id="cf-browser-status" class=" relative w-1/3 md:w-full py-15 md:p-0 md:py-8 md:text-left md:border-solid md:border-0 md:border-b md:border-gray-400 overflow-hidden float-left md:float-none text-center"> <div class="relative mb-10 md:m-0"> <span class="cf-icon-browser block md:hidden h-20 bg-center bg-no-repeat"></span> <span class="cf-icon-ok w-12 h-12 absolute left-1/2 md:left-auto md:right-0 md:top-0 -ml-6 -bottom-4"></span> </div> <span class="md:block w-full truncate">You</span> <h3 class="md:inline-block mt-3 md:mt-0 text-2xl text-gray-600 font-light leading-1.3"> Browser </h3> <span class="leading-1.3 text-2xl text-green-success">Working</span> </div> <div id="cf-cloudflare-status" class="cf-error-source relative w-1/3 md:w-full py-15 md:p-0 md:py-8 md:text-left md:border-solid md:border-0 md:border-b md:border-gray-400 overflow-hidden float-left md:float-none text-center"> <div class="relative mb-10 md:m-0"> <a href="https://www.cloudflare.com/5xx-error-landing?utm_source=errorcode_500&utm_campaign=dqexvruqnmuxqokmafrm.supabase.co" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> <span class="cf-icon-cloud block md:hidden h-20 bg-center bg-no-repeat"></span> <span class="cf-icon-error w-12 h-12 absolute left-1/2 md:left-auto md:right-0 md:top-0 -ml-6 -bottom-4"></span> </a> </div> <span class="md:block w-full truncate">Ashburn</span> <h3 class="md:inline-block mt-3 md:mt-0 text-2xl text-gray-600 font-light leading-1.3"> <a href="https://www.cloudflare.com/5xx-error-landing?utm_source=errorcode_500&utm_campaign=dqexvruqnmuxqokmafrm.supabase.co" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Cloudflare </a> </h3> <span class="leading-1.3 text-2xl text-red-error">Error</span> </div> <div id="cf-host-status" class=" relative w-1/3 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float-left leading-relaxed"> <h2 class="text-3xl font-normal leading-1.3 mb-4">What can I do?</h2> <p class="mb-6">Please try again in a few minutes.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="cf-error-footer cf-wrapper w-240 lg:w-full py-10 sm:py-4 sm:px-8 mx-auto text-center sm:text-left border-solid border-0 border-t border-gray-300"> <p class="text-13"> <span class="cf-footer-item sm:block sm:mb-1">Cloudflare Ray ID: <strong class="font-semibold">9d07f1d5fbe10434</strong></span> <span class="cf-footer-separator sm:hidden">•</span> <span id="cf-footer-item-ip" class="cf-footer-item hidden sm:block sm:mb-1"> Your IP: <button type="button" id="cf-footer-ip-reveal" class="cf-footer-ip-reveal-btn">Click to reveal</button> <span class="hidden" id="cf-footer-ip">100.31.50.136</span> <span class="cf-footer-separator sm:hidden">•</span> </span> <span class="cf-footer-item sm:block sm:mb-1"><span>Performance & security by</span> <a rel="noopener noreferrer" 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Context · US Revised

Context

Anna is off to meet Mr. Ingle, the warehouse manager, to discuss stock management. But she finds him doing something dangerous and illegal! She needs to ask him to stop it politely. Find out how she makes this request. Language for making polite requests This episode focuses on politely asking a member of your team not to do something.

Vocabulary Cards

Phrase, meaning, example, and common mistakes with personal flags.

Favorite: 0Unknown: 0Login to save flags

1. Would you mind not doing that please?
US: Would you mind not doing that please?
2. I'm afraid it's against company policy.
US: I'm afraid it's against company policy.
3. I'm afraid it’s not permitted.
US: I'm afraid it’s not permitted.
4. Sorry to have to ask you this but...
US: Sorry to have to ask you this but...

Transcript

No transcript available.

Listening Challenge

Check your understanding before looking at the answer.

Question

What other word does Anna use to mean 'put out your cigarette'?

Answer

To extinguish.