Every line has a ▶ button — tap it to hear that line spoken, one word at a time.
Ruth: Oh, hi! You're the couple in three, right? I don't think we've met.
I don't think we've met — the standard way to introduce yourself to a neighbor or a coworker · then your name: "I'm Mia, we're in three."
Mia: Right, we're in three. I'm Mia, and this is my husband, Ben.
this is my husband — introducing the person with you: "this is my husband / my wife / my friend / my coworker, NAME"
Ben: Nice to meet you.
Ruth: Ruth. I'm right across the hall, in four. Nice to finally meet you both.
across the hall — across the hall = the apartment opposite yours · next door = the one beside yours · upstairs / downstairs
Mia: Finally is right. We moved in back in April and we keep missing each other.
moved in · keep missing each other — move in = start living somewhere · keep missing each other = we're never home at the same time · "back in April" = in April, a while ago
Ruth: Well, welcome to the building, a little late. How are you liking it so far?
welcome to the building · how are you liking it? — the question everyone asks a newcomer · answer short and positive: "We love it." "So far so good." · then one detail
Mia: We love it. Quiet, close to everything. The radiator bangs at night, but I hear that's normal.
Ruth: That's every apartment. Call the super, his name's Tony. He's grumpy, but he fixes things.
the super — short for superintendent: the person who takes care of a US apartment building and fixes things · the landlord = the owner
Ben: Good to know.
Ruth: And if you ever need anything, a cup of sugar, anything, just knock.
if you ever need anything, just knock — the classic neighbor offer · "a cup of sugar" = the traditional small favor · just knock = come to my door any time
Mia: That's so kind. Same goes for you.
same goes for you — = the same offer from me to you · also "likewise", "same here", "you too"
Ruth: Okay, I'll let you get your groceries inside. See you around!
I'll let you… · see you around — "I'll let you…" = the polite way to end a chat (you're freeing THEM) · see you around = goodbye to someone you'll bump into again
Mia: See you, Ruth!
Mia: Morning, Ruth! And who's this?
who's this? — the way to ask about someone's dog, cat or baby · never "what's this"
Ruth: This is Biscuit. Say hi, Biscuit.
Mia: Hi, Biscuit! Is he friendly? Can I pet him?
is he friendly? · can I pet him? — the two questions before you touch a dog · pet = stroke · owners love these questions
Ruth: Oh, she loves everybody. He's a she, by the way.
Mia: Sorry, Biscuit! What kind of dog is she?
Ruth: A little bit of everything. She's a rescue, so nobody really knows. Do you two have any pets?
a rescue — a rescue = a dog adopted from a shelter · "a little bit of everything" = a mixed breed, a mutt
Mia: Not yet. We talk about it every weekend.
not yet — = no, but maybe later · the friendly answer to "do you have pets / kids / a car?"
Ruth: Ha. That's how it starts. So, are you settling in okay? Found a good coffee place yet?
settling in — settle in = get used to a new home or job · the second-meeting question for a newcomer
Mia: Actually, no. Any recommendations?
any recommendations? — the question that gets a local talking: a coffee place, a dentist, a pizza place, a hairdresser
Ruth: Go to Ember, two blocks down on Pine. Tell them Ruth sent you.
two blocks down · tell them Ruth sent you — a block = the distance between two streets · "tell them X sent you" = mention my name (half a joke)
Mia: Ember. Got it. Thanks, Ruth. Enjoy your walk!
Ruth: Thanks, hon. Come on, Biscuit.
Omar: Morning, Mia. How was your weekend?
how was your weekend? — ★ THE Monday question in every US office · answer = one adjective + one detail + ask back: "Pretty good, we hiked. Yours?"
Mia: Pretty good, pretty low-key. We finally unpacked the last boxes. How about yours?
low-key · how about yours? — low-key = quiet, relaxed, nothing big · other answers: "nothing special", "busy", "too short" · always ask back
Omar: Not bad. My brother was in town, so we did the tourist thing.
in town · the tourist thing — in town = visiting from somewhere else · "did the tourist thing" = went to the famous places
Mia: Oh nice! Where'd you take him?
the follow-up question — ★ the engine of small talk: react ("Oh nice!") + ask ONE follow-up question · people love talking; you just keep the door open
Omar: The waterfront, mostly. And that taco place on Fifth. He ate like four tacos.
Mia: I still haven't been. Is it as good as everyone says?
Omar: Better. You have to go. Okay, are you ready for the roadmap meeting?
Mia: Ready as I'll ever be. Is there more coffee?
ready as I'll ever be — = not really ready, but let's go · a joke answer to "are you ready?"
Omar: Fresh pot. Help yourself.
help yourself — "Fresh pot. Help yourself."
Mia: You're a lifesaver.
Dev: Going up?
going up? — the elevator question · "going down?" · answer: "Yes, four, please." (they press it for you)
Mia: Yes, the fourth floor, please. Thanks.
Dev: Hey, I don't think we've met. I'm Dev, I'm in sales.
I'm in sales — ★ the work intro = first name + team · in sales, in marketing, in finance · on the design team · first names for everyone, even the boss
Mia: Mia. I'm on the design team, I just started a couple of weeks ago.
on the design team · a couple of weeks ago — ON a team, IN a department · a couple of = two, roughly · "I just started" = I'm new
Dev: Oh, you're the new designer! Welcome. How are you liking it so far?
Mia: So far so good. Still finding my way around, honestly.
so far so good · finding my way around — so far so good = fine, no problems yet · find my way around = learn where things are · "honestly" softens it
Dev: It took me a month to find the good bathroom. Third floor, by the stairs.
Mia: Ha! Noted. How long have you been here?
noted · how long have you been here? — noted = I'll remember that · "How long have you been here?" = the follow-up to ask anyone at work
Dev: Going on three years. It's a good place. People are pretty chill.
going on three years · chill — going on three = almost three · chill = relaxed, easygoing · "pretty" = quite
Mia: That's what I've heard.
Dev: This is me. Nice meeting you, Mia. If you ever need anything from sales, come find me.
this is me · nice meeting you — this is me = my floor, my stop · "Nice to meet you" at the START · "Nice meeting you" at the END · "come find me" = come and ask me
Mia: Will do. Nice meeting you too.
will do — = I will do that · a short yes to a suggestion · also "sounds good", "sure thing"
Omar: Happy Friday! Any plans for the weekend?
happy Friday · any plans for the weekend? — the Friday hello + THE Friday question · also "TGIF" = thank God it's Friday · answer short, then ask back
Mia: Nothing crazy. A barbecue at a friend of Ben's on Saturday, and then absolutely nothing on Sunday.
nothing crazy · absolutely nothing — nothing crazy = nothing big · other answers: "just taking it easy", "running errands", "catching up on sleep"
Omar: That sounds perfect. It's supposed to be nice out.
it's supposed to be · nice out — it's supposed to = the forecast says · nice out = good weather outside · "it's supposed to rain"
Mia: What about you? Big plans?
big plans? — big plans? = the two-word way to ask about the weekend · always return the question
Omar: My in-laws are coming for the long weekend.
in-laws · the long weekend — in-laws = your husband's or wife's parents · the long weekend = Monday is a holiday · Labor Day = the first Monday of September
Mia: Oh. Well, good luck with that.
Omar: Ha, they're actually great. Hey, a few of us are grabbing drinks after work. You should come.
grabbing drinks · you should come — grab drinks / grab lunch / grab coffee = go for a quick one · "you should come" = a real invitation, today
Mia: Oh, I'd love to, but I've got a thing tonight. Rain check?
I'd love to, but… · rain check? — saying no nicely = "I'd love to, but" + a short reason · a thing = an appointment, no details needed · rain check? = another time?
Omar: For sure. Next time. Have a good weekend!
Mia: You too. Enjoy the in-laws!
Frank: Can you believe this weather? Ninety degrees in September.
can you believe this weather? — ★ the #1 opener with a stranger · degrees are Fahrenheit: 90 °F = 32 °C · answer: agree ("I know!") + add one thing
Mia: I know! I thought it would cool down by now.
I know! · cool down — "I know!" = I completely agree (not "I have that information") · cool down = get cooler · warm up
Frank: It's supposed to hit ninety-five tomorrow. Then it drops to sixty on Tuesday.
supposed to hit · drops to — hit = reach · drop to = fall to · 95 °F = 35 °C · 60 °F = 16 °C · 32 °F = freezing
Mia: Sixty! So I need a jacket and a fan on the same day.
Frank: That's this city for you. Are you new in town?
that's X for you — "that's X for you" = that's typical of X · "that's Mondays for you" · "new in town" = recently arrived
Mia: Fairly new. We moved here last year.
Frank: Well, wait till winter. You'll miss this.
wait till winter · you'll miss this — wait till = just wait, it gets worse · you'll miss this = you'll want this back · the thing every local says
Mia: Everyone keeps saying that.
Frank: Did you catch the game last night, by any chance?
catch the game · by any chance — ★ sports = the other safe opener · "the game" = usually football (American), Sunday or Monday night · by any chance = softens the question
Mia: I didn't, no. I don't really follow football, to be honest.
I don't really follow… · to be honest — the polite way to say you don't watch a sport · "really" + "to be honest" soften it · then ask: "Who won?"
Frank: Smart. Saves you a lot of heartbreak. Oh, that's me. Nice talking to you.
that's me · nice talking to you — that's me = it's my turn / my order / my stop · "nice talking to you" = goodbye to a stranger you chatted with
Mia: You too. Stay cool out there!
Dev: Mia? Hey!
Mia: Oh, hi! I'm so sorry, I know we've met, and I've completely blanked on your name.
I've blanked on your name — blank on = forget completely, the mind goes empty · the honest fix, with a smile · also "I'm terrible with names"
Dev: Dev, from sales. The elevator, a couple weeks ago.
Dev, from sales — help them: your name + where you met · and when YOU are not sure they remember you, say your name first: "Hi, Mia, from the elevator."
Mia: Dev! Of course. The good bathroom on three.
Dev: That's the one. What are you doing on this side of town?
Mia: We live around the corner. My neighbor told me about this place.
Dev: Ruth? Older lady, little brown dog?
Mia: Yes! How do you know Ruth?
how do you know…? — "How do you know X?" = the question that connects people · at a party: "How do you know the host?"
Dev: Everybody knows Ruth. She's here every morning. Small world.
small world — small world = what you say when people turn out to be connected · also "what are the odds?"
Mia: It really is. Okay, I should get going, but it was good to see you.
I should get going · good to see you — the exit: "I should get going" / "I'll let you go" / "Anyway…" + a warm line · "good to SEE you" = someone you've met before
Dev: You too. See you at the office.
Mia: See you Monday!
Raj: Ben! You made it!
you made it — you made it = you came, great · the host's greeting at the door
Ben: Hey, man. Raj, this is my wife, Mia. Mia, Raj. We sit ten feet apart at work.
this is my wife, Mia · Mia, Raj — the two-way intro: name each person to the other, then one fact ("we sit ten feet apart at work") · Americans use first names right away
Raj: Mia! Finally. I've heard so much about you.
I've heard so much about you — what you say when you finally meet someone's partner or friend · warm, standard, expected
Mia: All good things, I hope.
all good things, I hope — the standard joke answer to "I've heard so much about you" · the host answers "Only good things."
Raj: Only good things. Come in, come in. What can I get you to drink? There's beer, wine, lemonade.
what can I get you to drink? — "What can I get you to drink?"
Mia: A lemonade would be great, thanks. Oh, and we brought a little something.
a little something — "We brought a little something."
Raj: Oh, you didn't have to do that! Is that a pie?
you didn't have to — the polite response to a gift = thank you (they're glad you did) · also "you shouldn't have"
Mia: Peach. I hope you're not sick of peaches.
Raj: Never. Anita's inside with the kids, she's going to love you. Ben, grab a beer, you know where everything is.
Ben: On it.
Raj: Make yourselves at home. Food's in about twenty minutes.
make yourselves at home — = relax, act like it's your house · the host's phrase · "you know where everything is" = to a friend who's been here before
Mia: Thank you so much for having us.
thank you for having us — the guest's phrase, on arriving AND on leaving · one person: "thanks for having me" · the host: "thanks for coming"
Raj: So, Mia. Ben says you're a designer, right?
Mia: Product designer. Apps, mostly. What about you? What do you do at Bluestone?
what do you do? · what about you? — "What do you do?" = what's your job? (the most common question after your name) · "what about you?" = returning it
Raj: IT. I keep the computers alive. So where are you from originally? I hear a little accent.
where are you from originally? — originally = before you came here; they hear an accent · it is friendly curiosity · answer as much or as little as you like
Mia: A small town you've definitely never heard of, about an hour from the coast. We came over last year for my job.
I'm from… · came over — the pattern: "I'm originally from ___." + "I came over ___ years ago, for work / for school / for my husband's job." · came over = moved to the US
Raj: I know that feeling. I'm from Pune, in India. Seventeen years in the States now.
in the States — the States = the US (what people living here call it) · "I know that feeling" = I've been there too
Mia: Seventeen! Do you still miss home?
do you miss home? — home = the country you came from · the follow-up every immigrant appreciates · answers: the food, the family, the weather
Raj: The food, every single day. And my mother's cooking. And cricket.
Mia: For me it's the bread. Nobody here believes me about the bread.
Raj: Ha! You'll find your places. It takes a couple of years. Okay, these burgers are done. Cheese or no cheese?
you'll find your places — your places = the shops, cafes and restaurants that feel like yours · a couple of years = about two
Mia: Cheese, please.
cheese or no cheese? — cheese | no cheese
Raj: Mia, have you met Jasmine? Jasmine, this is Mia, Ben's wife. She just started at Northlight.
have you met…? — the three-person intro: each name + one fact about each, so the two of them have something to talk about
Jasmine: Hi! Nice to meet you.
Mia: Nice to meet you too.
Raj: Jasmine lives two doors down. I'll leave you two to it.
two doors down · I'll leave you to it — two doors down = two houses away · "I'll leave you to it" = the introducer steps away so you can talk
Jasmine: So, how do you know Raj and Anita?
how do you know the host? — THE party question · answers: "through Ben", "we work together", "we're neighbors", "college"
Mia: Through Ben. He and Raj work together. And you?
through Ben · and you? — through X = X is the connection · "And you?" = the shortest way to hand the question back
Jasmine: Neighbors. Our kids are in the same class. So what do you do at Northlight?
Mia: I'm a product designer. I design the screens you tap on, basically. What about you?
basically — say your job title, then ONE plain sentence anyone understands · basically = in simple words
Jasmine: I'm a nurse. Labor and delivery, over at Mercy.
labor and delivery · over at — labor and delivery = the hospital unit where babies are born · "over at" = at (a place nearby) · Mercy = the hospital's name
Mia: Oh wow. That must be intense.
that must be… — the reaction to someone's job: "that must be intense / stressful / fun / exhausting / interesting" · shows you're listening
Jasmine: It has its moments. Mostly it's the best job in the world. Twelve-hour shifts, though.
it has its moments · shifts — it has its moments = sometimes it's hard (or sometimes it's great) · a shift = a work period; nurses often work three twelve-hour shifts
Mia: I don't know how you do it.
I don't know how you do it — = I admire that; I couldn't · the warm closing reaction to a hard job
Jasmine: So how long have you been in the States?
how long have you been in the States? — the second question after "where are you from" · answer with a number: "a little over a year", "about five years", "since two thousand nine"
Mia: A little over a year.
Jasmine: Really? Your English is so good.
your English is so good — people mean it kindly · answer short and warm: "Thank you, I've been working on it." · no need to explain or apologize
Mia: Thank you. I've been working on it. A lot of podcasts.
Jasmine: Well, it shows. And do you guys have kids?
do you guys have kids? — ★ SAFE: the weekend, weather, food, sports, pets, travel · AVOID: money, politics, religion, age, weight · kids gets asked anyway; keep it light
Mia: Not yet. Maybe someday. Right now we're enjoying our sleep.
not yet · enjoying our sleep — the light answer to a personal question: a short truth + a joke · the joke closes the topic politely
Jasmine: Ha! Enjoy it. Trust me. So what do you do for fun around here?
what do you do for fun? — the hobbies question · answers: "we've been hiking", "I play soccer", "mostly cooking", "honestly, sleeping"
Mia: We've been trying a new hike every weekend. Last week we did the ridge trail.
Jasmine: No way! We love that trail. You went all the way to the lookout, right?
No way! · right? — ★ reactions: No way! (surprise) · Oh nice! · That's awesome · Oh no · I bet · Tell me about it (I agree) · Right? (you agree with me)
Mia: We did. My legs are still complaining.
Jasmine: Speaking of hikes, have you done the falls yet? Because if not, that's your next one.
speaking of — speaking of X = changing the subject with a link · also "that reminds me", "by the way", "anyway"
Mia: Not yet. Okay, write it down for me.
Jasmine: Are you guys heading out?
heading out — head out = leave · "we're going to head out" · also "take off", "get going"
Mia: We are. It's getting late, and Ben has soccer in the morning.
it's getting late — the standard reason to leave: it's getting late + one small real reason · nobody asks more
Jasmine: It was so great talking to you. We should grab coffee sometime.
we should grab coffee sometime — ★ FRIENDLY, not a plan: "sometime", "we should…", "let's get together" · a REAL invitation has a day: "Are you free Saturday?"
Mia: I'd love that. Here, put your number in and I'll text you.
put your number in · I'll text you — put your number in = type it into my phone · "I'll text you" = so you have mine · also "are you on Instagram?"
Jasmine: There. Are you free next Saturday? There's a farmers market by me at ten.
are you free next Saturday? — a day + a place + a time = a real plan · "by me" = near my house · answer: "Saturday works."
Mia: Saturday works. I'll text you Friday to confirm.
Jasmine: Perfect. Get home safe!
get home safe — goodbye at night or in bad weather · also "drive safe", "text me when you're home"
Raj: Leaving already? Did you get enough to eat?
leaving already? · enough to eat — the host's polite protest (you're allowed to leave) · "enough to eat" = the host's worry, always
Mia: More than enough. Thank you so much for having us, Raj. Everything was delicious.
thanks for having us · everything was delicious — the leaving script: thanks for having us + one compliment (the food, the house, the company)
Raj: Thanks for coming. And for the pie, it's gone, by the way. Let's do this again soon.
thanks for coming · let's do this again — the host's goodbye · "let's do this again" is usually meant · "thanks for coming" answers "thanks for having us"
Mia: We'd love to. Tell Anita bye for us!
Raj: Will do. Night, guys!
Ruth: Hey, stranger!
hey, stranger! — a playful hello to someone you haven't seen in a while · warm, a little teasing
Mia: Ruth! Hi! Long time no see.
long time no see — = we haven't seen each other for a while · the answer to "hey, stranger"
Ruth: I know! How've you been?
how've you been? — = how are you, since we last met · answers, from good to tired: "great" · "good, busy" · "can't complain" · "hanging in there"
Mia: Good, busy. Work's been a lot. How about you? How's Biscuit?
Ruth: Oh, she's fine. She's the boss of me. And how's the new job treating you?
how's X treating you? — "how's X treating you?" = how is X going for you? · the new job, the new place, the city
Mia: I like it. The people are great. I'm still the new one, though.
Ruth: You'll be old news in no time. Ooh, are those peaches any good?
old news · in no time — old news = not new anymore · in no time = very soon · "the new one" = the newest person
Mia: They're perfect. I made a pie with them last week.
Ruth: You bake? We should have you two over for dinner sometime.
we should have you over sometime — have you over = invite you to my home · with "sometime" it is friendly, not yet a plan · wait for a day
Mia: We'd love that.
Ruth: Okay, I'll let you get on with your shopping. Good seeing you, Mia.
I'll let you get on with… · good seeing you — "I'll let you get on with…" = the polite exit · good SEEING you = someone you know · nice MEETING you = the first time
Mia: You too, Ruth. Give Biscuit a scratch for me.
Ruth: Hi, Mia, it's Ruth, from across the hall.
it's Ruth, from across the hall — on the phone: "it's" + your name + how they know you · never "I am Ruth"
Mia: Ruth! Hi. Is everything okay?
is everything okay? — a neighbor calling = you check first · the answer you want: "Everything's fine."
Ruth: Everything's fine. I meant it about dinner. Are you two free Saturday?
I meant it · are you two free Saturday? — I meant it = it was a real offer, not just politeness · "Are you free Saturday?" = now it's a plan
Mia: Saturday? Let me check with Ben. Yes, Saturday's open.
let me check with… · Saturday's open — check with = ask (your partner) first · open = free · "Saturday's open" = we're free on Saturday
Ruth: Wonderful. Seven-ish? Nothing fancy, just the three of us and the dog.
seven-ish · nothing fancy — -ish = around: seven-ish, forty-ish, blue-ish · nothing fancy = casual, don't dress up · arriving ten minutes late is fine
Mia: Seven-ish is perfect. What can we bring?
what can we bring? — always ask · the host will say "nothing" · bring something anyway
Ruth: Just yourselves.
just yourselves — ." = nothing · bring one of these anyway
Mia: Ruth.
Ruth: Fine, a dessert. I heard something about a peach pie.
Mia: Done. Any allergies? Anything you don't eat?
any allergies? — the two questions before you cook for someone · allergies = foods that make someone sick · "anything you don't eat" = vegetarian, no pork, no spice
Ruth: Nothing. I eat everything, and Biscuit eats everything else.
Mia: Perfect. Oh, shoes on or off at your place?
shoes on or off? — "Shoes on or off at your place?"
Ruth: Whatever you like, hon. Okay, see you Saturday. Just knock.
whatever you like · just knock — whatever you like = either is fine · just knock = no need to call or text first
Mia: See you Saturday. Thanks, Ruth!
Ruth: You came! Come in, come in. Biscuit, down.
come in, come in — the warm welcome, said twice · "Biscuit, down" = the command to a jumping dog
Mia: Hi! These are for you.
these are for you — handing over flowers or a gift · one thing: "this is for you" · "we brought a little something"
Ruth: Oh, you shouldn't have! They're beautiful. And is that the pie?
you shouldn't have — = thank you for the gift (they're happy you did) · the twin of "you didn't have to"
Ben: The pie, and a bottle of red. We didn't know what you were making.
a bottle of red — a bottle of red / white = red or white wine · the three safe gifts: wine, dessert, flowers
Ruth: You two are too much. Come on in, make yourselves at home. Shoes are fine.
you're too much · shoes are fine — you're too much = you're too generous (a compliment) · shoes are fine = keep them on · the answer to "shoes on or off?"
Mia: Something smells amazing.
something smells amazing — the compliment every host wants to hear · also "it smells so good in here"
Ruth: Lasagna. It's the one thing I can't mess up. Can I take your jackets?
can I take your jackets? — the host's question at the door · answer: "Thank you." (and hand it over) · "mess up" = do badly
Mia: Thank you. Can I help with anything?
can I help with anything? — always offer · the host usually says no ("you're guests") · offer once more at cleanup
Ruth: Absolutely not, you're guests. Sit, sit. What can I get you? Wine, water, I have lemonade.
sit, sit · what can I get you? — "sit, sit" = the host's friendly order · "what can I get you?" = the drinks question · answer one word: "Wine would be great."
Ben: Wine would be great.
Mia: Water for me, thanks. Oh, your place is lovely.
your place is lovely — the second compliment: the home · your place = your home · also "I love what you've done with it"
Ruth: Same as yours, with thirty years of stuff in it. Dinner's in ten minutes. Biscuit, leave Ben alone.
stuff — stuff = things (the everyday word) · "leave Ben alone" = stop bothering him (to the dog)
Ben: She's fine. We're friends now.
Mia: Told you we'd get a dog.