63 - Tom's tantrum
Language to persuade someone to change their mind
There's confusion at the offices of Tip Top Trading. Anna has announced that 'yes' she will accept Mr Socrates's offer of a promotion but Tom thinks she is accepting his marriage proposal. How will he react when the penny drops - or in other words, when he finds what she really means?
Intermediate · 170913 · 2017-09-13
There's confusion at the offices of Tip Top Trading. Anna has announced that 'yes' she will accept Mr. Socrates's offer of a promotion but Tom thinks she is accepting his marriage proposal. How will he react when the penny drops - or in other words, when he finds what she really means? Language to persuade someone to change their mind This episode focuses on the language that you might use to get someone to change their mind.
1. Don't be too hasty.
BBC UK: Don't be too hasty.
2. Don't rush into making a decision.
BBC UK: Don't rush into making a decision.
3. We can work this out.
BBC UK: We can work this out.
1. Narrator
Welcome back to the offices of Tip Top Trading where there's a bit of confusion. Anna...
BBC UK: Welcome back to the offices of Tip Top Trading where there's a bit of confusion. Anna…
2. Anna
Yes?
BBC UK: Yes?
3. Narrator
I think Tom's got the wrong end of the stick.
BBC UK: I think Tom's got the wrong end of the stick.
4. Anna
But I didn't give him a stick.
BBC UK: But I didn't give him a stick.
5. Narrator
No, no. I think there's been a misunderstanding. When you said your answer was 'yes' he thought you meant 'yes, I'll marry you'!
BBC UK: No, no. I think there's been a misunderstanding. When you said your answer was 'yes' he thought you meant 'yes, I'll marry you'!
6. Anna
Oh no! I meant yes to the promotion. Gosh I've got to sort this out. Tom, Tom, hold on please.
BBC UK: Oh no! I meant yes to the promotion. Gosh I've got to sort this out. Tom, Tom, hold on please.
7. Tom
We can't hang about Anna. Let's fix a date, invite everyone - even Paul.
BBC UK: We can't hang about Anna. Let's fix a date, invite everyone – even Paul.
8. Anna
No, no, we can't.
BBC UK: No, no, we can't.
9. Tom
You're right, not Paul - he just talks about cookies.
BBC UK: You're right, not Paul – he just talks about biscuits.
10. Anna
No. I mean 'no', we can't get married. I meant yes to the promotion. I can't marry you.
BBC UK: No. I mean 'no', we can't get married. I meant yes to the promotion. I can't marry you.
11. Tom
What? So when you said 'yes' you meant 'no'?
BBC UK: What? So when you said 'yes' you meant 'no'?
12. Anna
Yes.
BBC UK: Yes.
13. Tom
I see. Right, that's it. Anna, I've made it very clear what I think about you and you... you... just throw it back in my face. I've had enough... enough of you... enough of this company. I quit!
BBC UK: I see. Right, that's it. Anna, I've made it very clear what I think about you and you… you… just throw it back in my face. I've had enough… enough of you… enough of this company. I quit!
14. Narrator
Anna. I think he's upset. He's having a tantrum.
BBC UK: Anna. I think he's upset. He's having a tantrum.
15. Anna
A tantrum - is that serious?
BBC UK: A tantrum – is that serious?
16. Narrator
Not really. Maybe you need to calm him down and make him change his mind. Tell him 'not to be too hasty', 'don't rush into a decision' and say 'we can work this out' - you can can't you?
BBC UK: Not really. Maybe you need to calm him down and make him change his mind. Tell him 'not to be too hasty', 'don't rush into a decision' and say 'we can work this out' – you can can't you?
17. Anna
I think I can. Tom, please, don't be too hasty. Let's talk about this. We can work something out, just don't rush into making a decision - please. You're my best - my only - sales executive.
BBC UK: I think I can. Tom, please, don't be too hasty. Let's talk about this. We can work something out, just don't rush into making a decision – please. You're my best – my only – sales executive.
18. Tom
Sorry Anna - I'm a free spirit. I must go where the wind takes me. You've had your chance, now it’s mine. I’m off.
BBC UK: Sorry Anna – I'm a free spirit. I must go where the wind takes me. You've had your chance, now it’s mine. I’m off.
19. Narrator
Wow, I've never seen Tom be such a... man. Will this be the last time we ever see him? Here are some of the phrases Anna used to try and get Tom not to leave: Don't be too hasty Don't rush into making a decision We can work this out
BBC UK: Wow, I've never seen Tom be such a… man. Will this be the last time we ever see him? Here are some of the phrases Anna used to try and get Tom not to leave: Don't be too hasty Don't rush into making a decision We can work this out
20. Tom
...erm, sorry, I just forgot to take my special mug. Bye.
BBC UK: …erm, sorry, I just forgot to take my special mug. Bye.
Question
What word does Tom use to say he is leaving the company?
Answer
Quit.