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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

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Context

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.

Vocabulary Cards
Phrase, meaning, example, and common mistakes with personal flags.
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  • 1. Don't be too hasty.

    US Revised: Don't be too hasty.

  • 2. Don't rush into making a decision.

    US Revised: Don't rush into making a decision.

  • 3. We can work this out.

    US Revised: We can work this out.

Transcript
Speakers: Narrator, Anna, Tom

1. Narrator

Welcome back to the offices of Tip Top Trading where there's a bit of confusion. Anna...

US Revised: Welcome back to the offices of Tip Top Trading where there's a bit of confusion. Anna...

2. Anna

Yes?

US Revised: Yes?

3. Narrator

I think Tom's got the wrong end of the stick.

US Revised: I think Tom's got the wrong end of the stick.

4. Anna

But I didn't give him a stick.

US Revised: 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'!

US Revised: 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.

US Revised: Oh no! I meant yes to the promotion. Gosh I have 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.

US Revised: We can't hang about Anna. Let's fix a date, invite everyone - even Paul.

8. Anna

No, no, we can't.

US Revised: No, no, we can't.

9. Tom

You're right, not Paul - he just talks about cookies.

US Revised: You're right, not Paul - he just talks about cookies.

10. Anna

No. I mean 'no', we can't get married. I meant yes to the promotion. I can't marry you.

US Revised: 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'?

US Revised: What? So when you said 'yes' you meant 'no'?

12. Anna

Yes.

US Revised: 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!

US Revised: 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.

US Revised: Anna. I think he's upset. He's having a tantrum.

15. Anna

A tantrum - is that serious?

US Revised: 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?

US Revised: 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.

US Revised: 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.

US Revised: 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

US Revised: 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.

US Revised: ...um, sorry, I just forgot to take my special mug. Bye.

Listening Challenge
Check your understanding before looking at the answer.

Question

What word does Tom use to say he is leaving the company?

Answer

Quit.