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.”>
Suhardi, Ph.D 