Politely refusing something - 16 - English at Work helps you make polite refusals

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Narrator: Hello! You're joining us again after Anna's call from Mr Limehe asked her to lunch, remember. Now Anna and Denise are flapping.

Denise:…and before you know it, he'll be asking you to marry him! Trust me Anna, this has happened to me dozens of times!

Anna: But I thought he was only interested in the lemons! Please promise me you won't mention this to anyone.

Denise: OK, I promise.

Anna: Oh, shhhh!

Tom: Good morning. What's going on?

Denise: Mr Lime has asked Anna to lunch!

Anna: Please

Tom: And?

Denise: And it's not to talk business! I saw him looking at her with big eyes, from the moment he first saw her!

Anna: Denise!

Tom: Old Slimy Limey eh? Lucky Anna!

Anna: He's not slimy, it's just

Tom: Don't tell me you said yes?!

Anna: Well I didn't know what to say.

Tom: You didn't?

Anna: No, no, I said I was busy and would call back. I wanted to just say no, but with everyone complaining that I'm not polite on the phoneI justI didn't know how to say it politely.

Tom: Ha ha, I'll tell you what to say.

Anna: Hang on, let me write it downwhy do all the pens keep disappearing?

Denise: Here's one.

Anna: Thanks. Okay, I'm listening Tom.

Tom: Say: go

Anna: (writing) go

Tom:…awaySlimy Limey.

Anna: Go away Slimy Limey. Are you sure?

Tom: Of course!

Denise: Don't listen to him Anna. This is what you say: Thank you for your offer. But I'm really sorry, I won't be able to. Then explain why, say I'm afraidblah blah blah

Anna: Blah blah blah?

Denise: Say it's against company policy to have non-business lunches with clients.

Anna: Meaning?

Denise: You're not allowed to if it's not for business. Then say: It wouldn't be appropriate. So, with regret, I'm going to have to say no.

Anna: Okay, I think I've got that all down. Thanks. He'll be waiting for my call.

(dials phone) Mr Lime: Hello, Seb Lime speaking.

Anna: Hello Mr Lime. Mr Lime: Anna! Please, call me Seb. So, when can I invite you to lunch?

Denise: (whispering loudly) Thank you for your offer

Anna: Well, thank you for your offer. But I'm really sorry, I won't be able to. Mr Lime: Oh?

Denise: (whispering loudly) I'm afraid

Anna: I'm afraid it's against company policy to have non-business lunches with people. Mr Lime: Really? Oh how tedious!

Denise: (whispering loudly) It wouldn't be-

Anna: Shhh! Mr Lime: Pardon?

Anna: No, not shhh you Mr Slimy I meant shhhh Denise! Mr Lime: Mr Slimy?

Anna: Oh no! I mean Mr LimeyLimeer Seb! You see, it wouldn't be appropriate. So, with regret, I'm going to have to say no. Mr Lime: I think I've understood. Goodbye Anna.

Anna: Goodbye.

Narrator: Oh dear, he didn't take that too well. But, apart from a little mistake, Anna did well there. Here are the phrases she used to politely refuse the offer of lunch:

Thank you for your offer. But I'm really sorry, I won't be able to. I'm afraid it is against company policy

It wouldn't be appropriate.

With regret, I'm going to have to say no.

Good job Anna, bad luck Mr Slimy!