At the Supermarket | English learning podcast Conversation | Episode 5

Summary

In this lesson, Marco and Erica guide English learners through a supermarket scenario, focusing on useful phrases and vocabulary for both customers and cashiers during checkout. They cover terms like 'Express checkout lane,' 'belt,' 'coupon,' and 'expire,' and explain essential phrases such as 'cut me some slack,' 'paper or plastic,' and 'it’s not my day.' The lesson also highlights the role of students as cashiers in U.S. supermarkets and the importance of coupons for saving money. Learners will walk away with practical language to use when shopping or working at the checkout.

Takeaways

• 😀 Express checkout lanes are designed for customers with 15 items or fewer, offering a faster checkout experience.
• 😀 The 'belt' in a grocery store refers to the moving conveyor where customers place their groceries for scanning.
• 😀 A coupon is a discount voucher that can be used to save money on certain products in the store.
• 😀 Items such as coupons have expiration dates. Expired coupons can no longer be used.
• 😀 A 'club card' is a special store card that offers discounts or rewards for frequent shoppers.
• 😀 Cash back is a service where you can request extra cash while paying with a debit or credit card, typically when the total exceeds the cost of your purchases.
• 😀 The phrase 'cut me some slack' means asking for more leniency or understanding, especially when rules are being strictly enforced.
• 😀 'Paper or plastic?' is a common question asked by cashiers, referring to the choice of bag type for your groceries.
• 😀 'It's not my day' is a phrase used to express frustration or the feeling that everything is going wrong.
• 😀 Coupons are commonly found in newspapers and can help customers save money when shopping, especially if multiple coupons are combined for discounts.
• 😀 High school students often take part-time jobs at grocery stores, with many working as cashiers and others in roles like stocking shelves or working in warehouses.

Q & A

What is the 'Express checkout lane' in a supermarket?

The 'Express checkout lane' is a line in a supermarket designed for customers with fewer items, typically 15 items or fewer, to ensure a quicker checkout process.

Why does the cashier say 'cut me some slack' in the dialogue?

'Cut me some slack' is an informal expression meaning 'give me a break' or 'be lenient.' The customer asks for leniency because he has one extra item in the express lane.

What is the meaning of the term 'coupon' as used in the script?

A 'coupon' is a voucher or piece of paper that gives a discount on a product. It can be used in grocery stores to reduce the price of specific items.

What happens when a coupon expires?

When a coupon expires, it is no longer valid. In the script, the customer’s coupons were expired, so they could not be used for discounts.

What is a 'club card'?

A 'club card' is a store-specific card that offers discounts or rewards to frequent shoppers. It is often used in supermarkets for regular customers.

How does the 'cash back' system work in grocery stores?

The 'cash back' system allows customers to request cash when they pay with a debit or credit card. For example, if groceries cost $20, the customer can ask to charge $70 to get $50 in cash.

What does the phrase 'it's just not my day' mean?

'It's just not my day' is an expression used when things are going wrong or when a person is having a series of bad events throughout the day.

What does 'paper or plastic?' refer to in the script?

'Paper or plastic?' is a common question asked by cashiers when offering a choice between paper bags or plastic bags for groceries.

What is the role of a 'bag boy' in a supermarket?

A 'bag boy' is a person, usually a teenager, who works at a supermarket and places groceries into bags after customers pay. This term is often used in American supermarkets.

What does 'expire' mean in a non-food context, as mentioned in the script?

In a non-food context, 'expire' means to be no longer valid after a certain period. For example, a credit card or a driver's license can expire, making them unusable after their expiration date.