Vocabulary

Part II

self-service merchandise security guard limited liability company property on display stationery article show-case supervisor shopper cashier special offer prices to promote to protect to enhance exit

self help relating to customers collecting what they want from counters. goods bought and sold. a person employed to protect property and life. a company whose shareholders are liable for its debts only to the extent of the capital they have provided. things owned, such as land and houses. on show. writing materials such as writing pads, pans, pencils etc. a particular thing. a case with glass sides for displaying goods. one who watches and directs the work of others. one who visits shops to buy things. one who collects payment for goods or services sold. reduced prices. to arrange activities to increase sales. to keep safe. to increase the attraction or value of goods. a way out.

Part III

Explanations

1. Self-service, as the word implies, is service one provides himself. In other words, he helps himself to the goods he wishes to purchase. Trolleys are available for his convenience. This concept of service enables the customer to choose his goods unhurriedly and without pressure to buy. The owner of the supermarket benefits from the smaller number of workers he has to engage. Despite the impersonal nature of the service, sales in supermarkets have been brisk.

2. To shop is to buy things from a shop. A shopkeeper is the owner of the shop and a customer is also called a shopper.

3. To promote is to help the progress of something or someone. It can mean to found or organise.

John promoted a new business company.

One can also promote good feelings between two or more people.

The employer promoted good staff relations.

4. Under one roof expresses the idea of shopping in one place. Supermarkets being large, customers can purchase nearly everything they want in them.

5. The word stationery (writing materials and office supplies) is pronounced like stationary (fixed in a position; not moving). Note the difference in the spelling and meaning of the two words.

6. The word toilet has several meanings and this fact often leads to confusion. Study the following meanings:

toilet - a process of dressing or grooming oneself; a lavatory in hotels, offices; a dress; attire.

Toilet articles include such things as a comb, a hair brush, a hand mirror etc. A toilet-table is a dressing table with a mirror. Toiletry or toiletries refer to toilet articles.

A few notes on the correct use of the language.

Good English should be direct, simple, brief, vigorous and clear. In the choice of words the following rules are important:

1. Use the familiar word instead of the far-fetched.

The words within brackets are recommended in the examples below.

1. to transpire (to come out)

2. perchance (perhaps)

3. discriminating (choosy)

2. Use the single word in place of many words.

1. In the case of men and women…

(by men and women)

2. John has been made the recipient of…

(John received…)

3. In many cases the essays lacked…

(many essays lacked…)

3. Use the short word instead of the long one.

1. to envisage – (to face)

2. to procrastinate – (to postpone)

3. to reproduce – (to copy)

Good English requires that the rules of grammar be followed. These rules which are based on common sense have withstood the test of time. They cannot be ignored. There is also social significance in using correct English. It identifies an educated person. Strive therefore to improve your command of the language through study and practice.

Exercises

1. Answer the following questions.

1. What is a supermarket?

2. What are an increasing number of people buying from supermarkets?

3. Whom are supermarkets often owned by?

4. Where have the owners built the supermarkets?

5. Why is the interior of a supermarket always well lit?

6. How are the articles for sale arranged?

2. Give the meanings of the following words.

1. Merchandise. 2. To protect. 3. To enhance. 4. Exit. 5. To promote.

3. Give the word that fits the description.

1. Things owned, such as land and houses.

2. Writing materials, such as writing pads, pens, pencils etc.

3. A case with glass sides for displaying goods.

4. One who watches and directs the work of others.

4. Fill in the blanks with relevant words.

1. A customer is also called a ______.

2. Under one roof expresses the idea of shopping in one ______.

3. A toilet-table is a dressing table with a ______.

Conversation at a supermarket

Part I

Mr Smith. Dear, would you like to go to the supermarket today?

Mrs Smith. Yes. I have a long list of things to buy.

Mr Smith. Shouldn’t we go now, before the weather changes?

Mrs Smith. Let me get my shopping basket and my handbag.

Mr Smith. Isn’t the traffic unusually heavy?

Mrs Smith. Today is Saturday. That’s always a bad day for driving.

Mr Smith. Here we are. Let’s walk into the supermarket quickly.

Mrs Smith. I have to buy meat, chicken, sausages, bacon and eggs.

Mr Smith. Let’s go to the frozen foods department.

Mrs Smith. Would you mind getting a trolley?

Mr Smith. Sure, dear. I’ll be back.

Mrs Smith. I’ll put these foodstuffs in the trolley. We’ll then go to the

groceries department.

Mr Smith. What do you need, dear?

Mrs Smith. Condensed milk, cheese and tomato catsup.

Mr Smith. I’ll get them.

Mrs Smith. I want a bottle of cleansing lotion, a jar of shampoo and

lipstick.

Salesman. Here’s the cleansing lotion. Of what size would you like the jar

of shampoo?

Mrs Smith. Medium size, please.

Salesman. In what shades do you want your lipsticks?

Mrs Smith. That one, in light pink and the other one as well, in a lighter

shade.

Salesman. Here they are. May I also recommend this new perfume?

Mrs Smith. Thank you. Perhaps during my next visit I will buy it.

Mr Smith. Could we stop here at the book department? I would like to

buy some Christmas cards.

Mrs Smith. Yes, I’ll get mine later.

Mr Smith. I didn’t realise it. It’s almost 6 o’clock in the evening. We must

hurry.

Salesman. That will be twenty-five pounds and ninety pence, please.

Mr Smith. Here’s the money.

Salesman. Thank you, sir.