7.

Future & Regrets

421. A Hunch

David: I have a hunch Linda is seeing someone else.

Karen: Do you have proof?
David: No, it's just a hunch.
Karen: Why do you think she's dating someone else?
David: She never returns my calls anymore and she's always busy.
Karen: Don't follow your hunch. Get proof.

422. A Gut Feeling

Becky: There is something weird going on at work.

Willy: What do you mean?
Becky: The managers have been having secret meetings every day.
Willy: What do you think is going on?
Becky: My hunch is that they are going to close the business.
Willy: Why?
Becky: Business has been very bad lately.
Willy: Maybe they're going to lay people off instead.
Becky: I overheard the owner talking about moving to another state.
Willy: Your hunch may be right.

423. Where is the Manager?

Customer: I'd like to return these boots.

Sales clerk: Is there anything wrong with them?
Customer: Yes. They are very uncomfortable.
Sales clerk: I think you have had these for a long time. It looks like you have already worn them a lot.
Customer: Are you saying I can't return them?
Sales clerk: We only accept returns on unused items.
Customer: Where is the manager? I demand a refund now!

424. Angry Customer

Sales clerk: Can I help you?

Customer: I want to speak with the manager.
Sales clerk: Is there a problem?
Customer: Yes! These shoes do not fit.
Sales clerk: Do you have the receipt?
Customer: Yes. I want a refund.
Sales clerk: This was a sale item. We do not give refunds on sale items.
Customer: I didn't know that.
Sales clerk: It's on the receipt.
Customer: Who reads the receipt?
Sales clerk: I'm sorry, but that is our store policy.
Customer: I am calling my lawyer!

425. Regrets about English

Lee: I wish I had studied English more as a kid.

Steven: What's wrong with your English now?
Lee: My vocabulary isn't very good.
Steven: You know most of the words.
Lee: I have to look a lot of words up in the dictionary when I read books.
Steven: Maybe you're reading very difficult books.

426. Poor English

Raul: I can't help my daughter with her English essay.

Matt: Why?
Raul: My English isn't very good.
Matt: It sounds fine to me.
Raul: I wish I studied English more as a kid.
Matt: What are you having trouble with?
Raul: Spelling and grammar.
Matt: Many native English speakers have the same problem.
Raul: You don't have this problem.
Matt: I was an English major in college.

427. Great Expectations

John: I want my son to go to an Ivy League college.

Stan: You have high expectations.
John: Of course I do. He's smart.
Stan: That's a lot of pressure for him.
John: He can handle it.
Stan: I hope he meets your expectations.

428. Not Meeting Expectations

Ryan: Bob's future with the company is not good.

Lucy: Why?
Ryan: He is not meeting our expectations.
Lucy: Maybe your expectations are too high.
Ryan: I don't think so. We give all employees many chances.
Lucy: Are you going to fire him?
Ryan: We will give him one more chance to improve.
Lucy: What if he doesn't?
Ryan: Then we will have to let him go.
Lucy: That's too bad. He had great expectations about this job.

429. I Should Have Studied Harder

Martha: I should have studied harder in college.

Joan: It's not too late.
Martha: I can't go back to school at this age.
Joan: Why not? Lots of people go back to school.
Martha: I don't remember anything.
Joan: That's why you go back to school. You get to learn everything over again.

430. Regrets about College

Bill: I never finished college.

Sam: Why?
Bill: My dad got sick and I had to take care of my mom.
Sam: Why didn't you go back to school later?
Bill: After my dad died I had to take over the family business.
Sam: But you're successful without a college degree.
Bill: I know, but I still wish I had a college education.
Sam: I understand.
Bill: It's my biggest regret in life.
Sam: It's not too late to get your degree.

431. Annual Raises

Janice: I think the managers are discussing our annual raises.

Debbie: Don't get your hopes too high.
Janice: Why?
Debbie: Business has not been good lately.
Janice: Employees still deserve raises. We work hard.
Debbie: Probably not hard enough to our managers.

432. Hopes

Pam: What are your hopes for the future?

Angela: World peace and ending world hunger.
Pam: Those are very high hopes.
Angela: You don't agree?
Pam: I absolutely agree, but they are not realistic.
Angela: These hopes are for the younger generation.
Pam: We will have to change the future for them, but how?
Angela: One step at a time.
Pam: The world needs good leaders in the future.
Angela: The world needs good leaders now.

433. Long-Term Goal

Sophie: I'm trying to save money to buy a house.

Jane: When do you want to buy a house?
Sophie: My long term goal is to save enough to buy one in 10 years.
Jane: I think you can do it.
Sophie: I've always wanted my own home.
Jane: I think you have a very realistic goal.

434. My Own Business

Susan: I want to own my own business one day.

Tina: What kind of business?
Susan: I'd like to run my own restaurant.
Tina: You're a great cook. Your restaurant would do well.
Susan: You need to have money and a good business mind too.
Tina: You're smart. You can do this.
Susan: I have to save a lot of money. It's my long term goal.
Tina: When do you want to achieve this goal?
Susan: Hopefully in 7 years. I'll be thirty years old then.
Tina: Let me know if you need an accountant. I'm great with numbers.

435. The Rowing Machine

Jill: Is that a rowing machine?

Sylvia: Yeah. I don't know why I bought it.
Jill: Are you trying to work out?
Sylvia: That was the plan.
Jill: How's it going?
Sylvia: I wasted my money.

436. Garage Sale

Martha: Are you having a garage sale?

Mia: Yeah. I need to get rid of some things.
Martha: What are you selling?
Mia: Some clothes, small appliances, and the rowing machine.
Martha: Why are you selling the rowing machine?
Mia: It was a waste of money.
Martha: Didn't you use it?
Mia: I only used it once.
Martha: Why didn't you return it to the store?
Mia: The store wouldn't take it back. It was too late.

437. Investing in Stocks

Bill: I'm thinking about investing in stocks.

Carl: That's a great idea.
Bill: I need to plan for my future.
Carl: Do you know what you want to invest in?
Bill: I don't know anything about stocks.
Carl: You should talk to my stockbroker.

438. Retirement Plan

Steven: I have to plan for my retirement.

Matthew: Have you thought about investing in stocks?
Steven: Yeah, but stocks can be risky.
Matthew: I know. My brother lost a lot of money in stocks.
Steven: That's what I'm worried about.
Matthew: However, I also know a few people who made a lot of money investing in stocks.
Steven: I guess it's a gamble.
Matthew: You have to be smart.
Steven: You also have to be lucky!
Matthew: That's right!

439. Overeating

John: Why did I eat so much?

Andy: Do you feel sick?
John: Yeah. I think I need to lie down.
Andy: You shouldn't lie down after eating.
John: I think I need to go to the restroom.
Andy: Let's skip dessert.
John: No, I have room for dessert.

440. No Room for Dessert

Michael: Are you sick?

Nick: No. I just ate too much.
Michael: Why do you always eat so much?
Nick: I always overeat during the holidays.
Michael: You need to control yourself.
Nick: I know, but Mom's cooking is the best.
Michael: She made pumpkin pie, your favorite dessert.
Nick: I don't think I have room for dessert.
Michael: Really? That's the first time I have ever heard you say that.