The Baxters Go Shopping

The other day my wife took me on a usual shopping round. In fact I hate going to the butcher's, grocer's and other shops of this sort, but of course I have to help my wife about the house.

First, we bought some pork and beef at the butcher's. Then we dropped in at the grocery and greengrocery. Jill wanted to buy salt, tomatoes and cucumbers. We also called at the baker's where we bought a loaf of brown bread, some buns and biscuits.

On our way home, we were passing Selfridge’s. “Let’s drop in here for a while. You need a suit for everyday wear”, my wife said. I agreed. Selfridge’s is still one of the biggest and most popular stores in London. They sell everything here. All the things for sale are on the counters. The customers walk round and choose what they want. The store has several departments: Women's clothes, Men's clothes, Shoes, Toys, Sports goods, Umbrellas, Leather goods, China and glass, Food, etc.

When we entered the shop, we went straight to the men’s depart­ment. A salesgirl showed us a number of suits, but we didn’t like any of them. One of them was a bit loose on me, another was too tight. As to the third one, our opinions were quite different. I liked the suit. My wife found it too expensive. She wanted a suit as good as that one but less expensive. The salesgirl showed us a cheaper suit. It was of good quality, but I didn't like the style. We were about to leave the counter when they delivered a new selection of goods. They were not only suits but different kinds of clothes: coats, raincoats, shirts, jackets and trousers. I tried on twoorthree suits. The last one was all right. It was just my size and fitted me perfectly. We both liked the suit and the price was not high. “We’ll take it, wrap it up, please!” I said to the salesgirl.

After we left the men's department, my wife spent the rest of the morning trying on hats. She wanted a pink straw hat to match one of her summer frocks. There was such a good selection of hats in the shop that in the end Jill bought two.

Questions:

1. Whats stores did the Baxters visit before going to Selfrige’s? What did they buy there?

2. Why did they go to Selfridge’s? Did they buy something they wanted right away? Why?

3. What did Jill buy for herself in the end? What is your attitude to hat-gear?

Situation 1: Sybil Bentam and Paula go shopping and on a tour of Montreal

S.: Good morning, Paula. Did you sleep well?

P.: Good morning. Fine, and you?

S.: So-so. But it doesn’t matter. Let's go to our new department store, it’s a fine place and there is a very wide choice of goods. And you can have goods for the value of your money. What would you like to buy?

P.: Oh, I have to buy a lot of things. Mr. Virge asked me to buy some souvenirs for his family.

S.: Shoot off!

P.: Well, I have to buy a box of make-up for his wife, a beautiful and colourful pencil box for his seven-year-old daughter, white socks with a red maple leaf for his 14-year-old son and some spices for his mother.

S.: And what would you like for yourself?

P.: I'’ like a comfortable pair of walking shoes as I do a lot of walking around.

S.: Let’s start with the footwear department then.

Situation 2: At the Footwear Department

Shop assistant: Good morning, can I help you, madam?

S.: Well, we’d like some nice walking shoes, please,size 6.

Shop assistant: What colour would you like?

P.: Something in light brown, please.

Shop assistant: Here you are, here’s a shade darker, and some very light.

P.: Oh, this light-coloured pair looks wonderful, I’ll try them on.

S.: How are they?

P.: A bit tight, I’m afraid, the length is right, though.

S.: Haven’t you got shoes wider at the toes?

Shop assistant: I’ll see... Sorry, but not the same colour. Only those of a darker brownish shade.

P.: May I try them on?

Shop assistant: Of course, madam.

P.: They are wonderful, very comfortable, too. Yes, I’ll take them. How much are they?

Shop assistant: Ninety-nine dollars and ninety cents.

S.: Do you want anything else here at the footwear department?

P.: Oh look! What lovely slippers, so light and soft. They’d suit my granny very much. How much are they?

Shop assistant: Oh, they’re fairly cheap, they are on the clearance sale for a reduced price as they are going out of fashion, they are only nine dollars.

P.: I’ll take them. Thank you. That’s all I think.

S.: Let’s go to the cashier’s desk and pay.

Cashier: One hundred and eight dollars and ninety cents, please.

P.: Here you are.

Cashier: Thank you. And here is your change, madam.

Situation 3: At the Perfumery Counter

Shop assistant: Good morning. Is there anything you’d like to have?

S.: Yes, show us some boxes of make-up, please.

Shop assistant: Large or small?

S.: Could you show us both of them?

Shop-assistant: Here you are.

P.: Oh, this big one is very beautiful, there are five different eye shadows, with matching lipsticks, mascara and even powder. But I’m afraid, it’s too expensive for me. How much is it?

Shop-assistant: Fifty-nine dollars.

P.: That’s too much. Isn't there anything cheaper of the bigger ones?

Shop-assistant: I’m afraid not. Only those small ones.

S.: Oh look, Paula, you buy this small box of different eye-shadows and in addition a couple of matching lipsticks, mascara isn’t so important.

Shop-assistant: This way it will really be much cheaper. It’ll be only nineteen dollars.

P.: Well, that suits me all right.

S.: Fine. We’ll take this small box of eye-shadows and these two lipsticks.

Shop-assistant: And wouldn’t you like a couple of bottles of nail varnish to match?

P: No, thank you. That’s enough.

Situation 4: At the Hosiery Department

Shop assistant: May I show you something?

S.: Do you have white socks with a maple leaf?

Shop assistant: Oh, yes, quite a lot of them. But wouldn’t you have those striped ones? They are extremely fashionable now.

P.: Oh, they look just what he would like. How much do they cost?

Shop-assistant: The price isn’t very high, though. Ten dollars only.

P.: That’s quite a lot of money for me. Let’s go and take a look at pencil boxes first and then we’ll see.

S.: That’s a good idea. We’ll come back, thank you.

Shop-assistant: Thank you. You are welcome.

Situation 5: At the Stationery Department

P: Oh, how many beautiful pencil boxes! I can’t make my choice.

S.: Well, look, this pink one with those nice flowers on it. You can zip it very easily.

P.: Won’t it get stuck?

S.: Those with studs aren’t any safer.

P.: But what about this one closing with magnets?

S.: Yes, I think that’s the best and it’s very beautiful, too.

P.: Let’s ask for the price. I have to think about it.

S.: How much does this pencil box cost?

Shop-assistant: Six dollars, madam.

P.: All right, I’ll take it. And now for the socks.

S.: Well, that’s that. I like shopping. But now let’s have a cup of coffee. I hope you are not tired.

P.: Oh no, not at all.

2.20. a) Read the lines of two conversations in a clothes shop. Who says them - the customer or the shop assistant? b) Work with a partner and put all the lines in the correct order. c) Practice the conversation with a partner.

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