Polite or Impolite ?
Saying the right thing… knowing how and when to be polite or informal…
Conversation at a football stadium
John: Come on. Were going to miss the start of the match.
Brian: I shouldn’t have finished that pinto I’ll ask that policeman where the loos are. Hey, Mister!
John: Sh! Don’t say that. You'll put his back up.
Brian: Oh, OK. Excuse me, mate!
John: No, come on, be polite or we won’t see the match at all.
Brian: OK. Excuse me, constable.
Policeman: Yes, how can I help you?
Brian: Where’s the nearest loo?
Policeman: The nearest public conveniences you mean, young man? Going to the match, are you? I hope that's not alcohol I can smell?
Brian: Er, no, I mean, not really, we only had a half pint, officer.
Policeman: Well, you don’t look like troublemakers. You'll find some toilets on your left when you get inside the ground. Enjoy the match, lads.
Brian: Cheers, I mean thanks, officer. (The policeman leaves) Brian: Phew; lucky that copper was a United fan.
John: You mean lucky you remembered to mind your p's and q's!
The conversation
loo(s) (GB) (fam) = toilettes
Hey, Mister! = Eh, monsieur! ("Mister" n'est pas poli)
put his back up (fam) = l'énerver
mate ici = mon pote
public conveniences (GB) = nom administratif pour les toilettes publiques
troublemaker = voyou
lads = les gars
cheers (GB) (fam) = merci (utilisé pour porter un toast, et de façon familière, pour saluer ou remercier)
copper (GB) = flic
mind your p's and q's = tiens-toi bien
Extra vocabulary hints
Aborder quelqu'un :
Quand on rencontre quelqu'un, on dit le plus souvent "Hi". Pour être plus poli, on peut bien sûr dire "Hello" ou bien (très formel) "Good moming/aftemoon".
Demander des renseignements :
La façon polie d'arrêter quelqu’un dans la rue est "Excuse me". Il vaut mieux éviter d'employer certaines tournures familières comme "Excuse me, mate" ou "Excuse me, love" (pour une femme) qui pourraient être malvenues ; à l'inverse "Excuse me, sir/madam" est trop soutenu.