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Advanced Dialogue: Waiting for a Friend

By Kenneth Beare, About.com Guide

Waiting

(husband and wife waiting at 'Joe's Bar and Grill' - later waiter)

Husband: We've been waiting for more than 30 minutes!
Wife: Terry, are you sure you read the directions correctly?

Husband: Do you think I made a mistake?! I'm sure he said Joe's Bar and Grill.
Wife: I wish you had brought the directions with you.

Husband: Well if you hadn't lost them, I would have brought them!
Wife: Now, now, let's not get into that. I told you I put them on the shelf in the hall.

Husband: It's no use worrying about that now. Anyway, what will we be doing this time tomorrow? I'm so excited about getting away on holiday.
Wife: So am I. Just think, this time tomorrow we'll be lying on the beach soaking up the sun.

Husband: No, I'll be sitting at the bar enjoying my Gin and Tonic and reading a good book.
Wife: It's going to be wonderful, isn't it? It's been so long since we last got away.

Husband: Yes ... I wish he were here. I'm getting hungry!
Wife: Why don't you ask that man for help.

Husband: OK (goes up to the man behind the counter) Excuse me, we've been waiting for over a half an hour for a friend. Have you seen anyone looking for somebody?
Waiter: No, I'm afraid I haven't.

Husband: I just don't understand our friend is never late.
Waiter: Well, maybe he's at Joe's Pub.

Husband: Joe's Pub?
Waiter: Yes, there's also a Joe's Pub in town. People mix us up all the time!

Husband: Do you think you could give them a ring and see if he's there?
Waiter: Certainly, no problem. What's his name?

Husband: Alex.
Waiter: (telephoning) Yes, this is Joe's Bar and Grill. Is there an Alex waiting there? .... (he waits for the other person to ask for Alex) Yes, great. Thanks. Good bye.

Husband: He's there, isn't he?
Waiter: Yes, he's there and he's been waiting for half an hour.

Husband: Oh, no! He's at Joe's Pub! Is there a taxi nearby?
Waiter: Yes, on the corner opposite the church.

Husband: Let's go!
Wife: I wish you had brought those directions!

Check your understanding with this multiple choice comprehension quiz.

More Dialogue Practice - Includes level and target structures / language functions for each dialogue.

Explore English as 2nd Language

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