| Print out, and hand out to each group. |
| Task 1: |
Making a complaint, but without being rude |
| I'm sorry to have to say this but... |
I'm sorry to bother you, but... |
Maybe you forgot to... |
I think you might have forgotten to... |
| Excuse me if I'm out of line, but... |
Don't get me wrong, but I think we should... |
There may have been a misunderstanding about... |
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Replace these rude sentences with the polite sentences |
Situation: |
You went to the bus station and the ticket seller sold you the wrong ticket. |
Rude complaint: |
"Is it so damn hard to sell me the correct ticket?"
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Situation: |
You're at a waiting hall, such as in the hospital, you've been waiting for so long and you want to ask the nurse when you will see the doctor. |
Rude complaint: |
"Am I going to wait here until I die?" |
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Situation: |
You are in a taxi, the driver is going the wrong way. |
Rude complaint: |
"Are you trying to cheat me, because you are driving me all around town!" |
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Situation: |
You are working with you colleagues, and you believe your method of working is better. |
Rude complaint: |
"You idea was the worse idea I have ever heard!" |
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Situation: |
You are at a restaurant and the waitress has not yet brought your dinner to your table. |
Rude complaint: |
"What the hell is going on in the kitchen, why is it taking forever to make my dinner!" |
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Situation: |
You requested for a product, but, it is not the one you have ordered, you want to exchange it. |
Rude complaint: |
"What the hell is this, does this look like the one I ordered, no it is not, are you some sort of idiot!!" |
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| Task 2: |
Dealing with rude complaining customers |
What seems to be the problem? |
What happened exactly? |
I'm afraid it's not our policy to ... |
I promise you I'll ... |
We’re sorry that you've had a problem with this product. |
Did you read the instructions that came with the ...? |
How were you using the ...? |
I understand you're upset, sir. |
I'm just trying to understand the problem. |
Is there anything else I need to know about this that I haven’t thought to ask? |
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This task your group will have to deal with a terribly rude customer, the teacher, who you must reassure that the situation is taken care of. Customers who complain rudely are often in the wrong, but you can never tell a customer that they are stupid. If you speak to them as if they are stupid then they will get even more angry. |
You will not know what the teacher will say or do exactly, but you can prepare some sort of response, such as "I'm sorry sir/ma'am but there is nothing we can do about it." |
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| Print out, hand out and cut out one to each group |
| Group 1 |
The teacher is a customer who bought a computer, has returned it because cannot get connected to the internet. |
| The solution |
The teacher didn't plug in the cable for the internet, you need to explain to him/her to go home and retry the cable. |
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| Group 2 |
The teacher is a customer in a restaurant, he/she thought they'd ordered a dish, but in fact, they didn't. |
| The solution |
You will take the order for that dish, and assure him/her that it won't take too long. |
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| Group 3 |
The teacher is a shopper in a supermarket, he/she thought the price of the item is cheaper, but is actually more. |
| The solution |
The teacher has to pay for the actual price of the item, or not buy it all. |
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| Group 4 |
The teacher is checking out from a hotel, you have to charge him/her for the can of Coke he/she has drank, but he/she thought it was free. |
| The solution |
You have to charge him/her for the drink, and explain why he/she has to pay for it. |
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| Group 5 |
The teacher is a customer who had bought a pet dog from your pet store, but has returned because the dog has died due to his/her mistreatment and wants his/her money refunded. |
| The solution |
You cannot be responsible for animals health after they have been sold, you need to explain to the teacher he/she must look after animals much better next time. |
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| Group 6 |
The teacher is a customer in a store, someone has stolen his/her wallet, but because it was stolen in your store he/she believes that it is your responsibility and you should compensate for his/her lost. |
| The solution |
You are not responsible for an crime in your store, you can only offer to call the police. |
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| Group 7 |
The teacher is in a cafe, he/she has been drinking 5 cups of coffee, he/she thinks they've only drank 4 cups of coffee and refuses to pay for the fifth. |
| The solution |
You will make the teacher pay for 5 cups of coffee, and if he/she won't you will call the police. |
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| Group 8 |
The teacher is on an airplane, he/she is frighten that the plane will crash and demands that the plane should land. |
| The solution |
You have to explain that the plane can't land until it reaches the next airport, and to reassure him/her that the airplane is safe. |
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| Group 9 |
The teacher is in the restaurant, he/she has eaten all of the food, but, is complaining the food wasn't delicious and doesn't want to pay for it. |
| The solution |
The teacher has to pay, if the food wasn't delicious then why did he/she ate it all, and if he/she won't pay then you will call the police. |
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| Group 10 |
The teacher had bought some clothes from your store, he/she has left some food stains on them and wants the full amount of money they'd paid back. |
| The solution |
The clothes are in such bad condition, and you simply cannot accept them so the teacher cannot receive the money back. |
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