Being more polite
(Part Three)

Working in the hospitality industry, politeness is everything.

How can you be more polite in English?

Let’s check your answers from the last blog…

1. What time do you want room service? →  I was wondering what time you would like¹ room service?
2. When do you need a wakeup call? →  Could you tell me when you require a wakeup call?
3. Why did you choose our hotel? → I was wondering why you chose² our hotel?
4. How much do you want to pay? →  Do you have any idea how much you would like¹ to pay?

¹‘would like’ is more polite than ‘want’

²Remember to use the past simple

Look at this last example question:

Can you leave your passport at reception? → I was wondering if you could¹ leave your passport at reception?

If there is no question word (wh-) then don’t forget to add ‘if’.

¹We transform verbs into the past form when we want to create social distance, and be more polite.

Now try with these examples:

1. Have you tried this dish before?
2. Can you sign here?
3. Do you prefer red wine or white wine?

As always, answers in the next blog…

Grammar Goat Key Words: 

would like, the past simple, social distance