* 4 Starting and Ending a Conversation (p.1 of 2)
4.1 ��When you attract somebody�s attention
Sir!�� Listen�� A �Sir, may I please have your attention?��� <�Sir! You�ve lost something.� � �Oh, this is my newspaper.�>
Madam! or Ma�am! ��Listen�� <�Madam! You dropped something.� � �Oh, these are my car keys.�>
Pardon me.�� Listen�� <�Pardon me. Your little child is just charming.�>
Excuse me.�� Listen�� <�Excuse me. You are not supposed to smoke here.�>
Hey!�� Listen�� <�Hey, Bob! I�m here under the table.� � �What are you doing there, Willy?�>
Hey, you!�� Listen�� <�Hey, you! Stop that!� � �What have I done?�>
4.2 ��When you invite a person to talk
May I have a word with you?�� Listen�� A �I need to speak to you.��� < � �Sure, Henry. What is it?� � �I need to show you some new information.�>
Can I talk to you?�� Listen�� <�Can I talk to you?� � �Not now. Stop by my office after lunch.�>
Can I talk to you for a minute?�� Listen�� < � �Okay. What�s the problem?�>
Do you have a minute?�� Listen�� <�Do you have a minute? I need to discuss something with you.�>
Can we talk?�� Listen�� <�Can we talk?� � �Is that about the accident? Not again!�>
I need to talk.�� Listen�� A �I need to have a discussion with you.��� <�Go ahead. But I don�t have much time.�>
We need to talk.�� Listen�� A �You and I need to have a discussion.��� <�Something unexpected has just happened. We need to talk.�>
Let�s talk.�� Listen�� <�Let�s talk. We�ve got a number of topics to discuss.�>
There�s something I need to tell you.�� Listen�� <�There�s something I need to tell you. It may be important for both of us.�>
There�s something I think you should know.�� Listen�� <�There�s something I think you should know. The security of our project was compromised.�>
4.3�� When you start a conversation with a person who has just appeared
We were just talking about you.�� Listen�� <�Oh, James! We were just talking about you. Sit down and join our conversation.�>
I�ve been just thinking about you.�� Listen�� <�Hello, Bob. I�ve been just thinking about you. There is a topic I would like to discuss.� � �What is it?�>
Speak of the devil.�� Listen�� A �I have just mentioned your name and you are appearing now � only the devil can do such a trick.��� <�Speak of the devil. Here comes Dave.�>
4.4 ��When you start an unpleasant conversation
This may be unpleasant, but I should tell you.�� Listen�� <�This may be unpleasant, but I should tell you. The guest of honor isn�t coming to the reception.�>
I hate to tell you this, but we�ve got a problem.�� Listen�� < � �What is it?� � �An inspector was sent to us to audit our activities.�>
I wish I didn�t have to tell you this, but there is a problem.�� Listen�� <�I wish I didn�t have to tell you this, but there is a problem. The stock market crashed this morning.�>
I don�t know how to tell you this, but the project is in trouble.�� Listen�� <�I don�t know how to tell you this, but our project is in trouble. The board of directors is slashing funding.�>
You might not like what I have to say, but I have some bad news.�� Listen�� <�You mightn�t like what I have to say, but I have some bad news. They are increasing taxes again.�>
I don�t mean to be rude, but you should hear this.�� Listen�� <�I don�t mean to be rude, but you should hear this. There was a catastrophe on one of our oilrigs.�>
I don�t want to upset you, but you should know this.�� Listen�� <�I don�t want to upset you, but you should know this. There was a fire in your house.�>
I don�t want to alarm you, but we are in trouble.�� Listen�� <�I don�t want to alarm you, but we are in trouble. Our best player got sick, and now our team doesn�t have much chance to win the championship.�>
I hate to rain on your parade, but things have gone sour.�� Listen�� A �I don�t want to spoil your celebration or plan���� <�I hate to rain on your parade, but things have gone sour. The customer is turning our offer down.�>
I hate to burst your bubble, but we are losing competition.�� Listen�� A �I don�t want to destroy your illusion���� <�I hate to burst your bubble, but we are losing competition. Here�s a recent report that shows who is a new leader in the marketplace.�>
4.5 ��When you want to ask a question
Pardon me,...�� Listen�� <�Pardon me, boy, is this the train to Chattanooga?�>
Excuse me,...�� Listen�� <�Excuse me, how can I get to City Hall?�>
Excuse me for asking...�� Listen�� <�Excuse me for asking. You have an unusual name. Where are you from?�>
I�m sorry,...�� Listen�� <�I�m sorry, what time is it now?�>
I have a question.�� Listen�� <�I have a question. Professor, what�s the practical application of your theory?�>
Do you mind if I ask you something?�� Listen�� < � �Go ahead. But remember, ask a silly question, and you get a silly answer.� � �I just want to ask you your favorite ice cream flavor. I�m going to get some ice cream.�>
Can I ask you something?�� Listen�� < � �Sure. Shoot.� � �What�s the distance between the Earth and the Moon?� � "Wow! It's a hard nut to crack!">
It�s none of my business, but...�� Listen�� < �It�s none of my business, but what�s the nature of your relationships with Mary?�>
4.6�� When you make somebody listen to you
Listen to me.�� Listen�� <�Listen to me. I�m offering you a sure deal. This time it will work.�>
Listen up.�� Listen�� <�Listen up. I�m giving you a direct order. Just do it.�>
Hear me out.�� Listen�� <�Hear me out. I�m not just curious about your life. I�m trying to help you.�>
Now hear this!�� Listen�� <�Now hear this! Indeed, instead of taking a short route, you can take a long, circuitous road. But what�s the purpose of it?�>
Are you listening to me?�� Listen�� <�Are you listening to me? I�m not edifying you for my own benefit.�>
Are you paying attention?�� Listen�� <�Are you paying attention? The next part of our discussion is very important.�>
Do you hear me?�� Listen�� <�Do you hear me? All I�m saying is that sometimes you do what you have to do, not what you want.�>
I�m talking to you.�� Listen�� <�I�m talking to you. Don�t pretend you don�t hear me.�>
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