A: This looks like a cool place. Have you been here?

B: oh yah, I come here all the time. I think you guys are going to like it, but there’s one thing that’s a
little different about this restaurant. I probably should tell you about that now.

A: what is it?

(the waitress comes to the table)

The waitress: Hi, welcome to Spiral Diner. Is it your first time here?

B: Not for me, I’m pretty much a regular here, but this gentlement, it is his first time. Do you mind
explaining to them what is unique and different about this place?

The waitress: Sure, Spiral Diner is actually a vegetarian restarant. So we do not serve animal
products or meat products, but I think you will find you really like the food here.

A: wait, you mean there’s no meat here? What are we supposed to eat?

B: Guys, enough complaining. I know you think you need meat at every meal. You can have all the
meat you want tonight at dinner, alright? We’re going to try new things. Remember when I went to
Saudi Arabia an Kuwait last year?

A: yeah.

B: I tried new things, didn’t I?

A: yeah.

B: Like camel’s milk. Just remember why we actually have come here. So you guys can practice your
English, and learn how to order food and drink at the resturant. Sultan, do you remeber how to ask
the waitress for a food recommendation?

A: Um.., what’s good??? Can you recommend something?

The waitress: Sure,

B: That’s better. Remember in English, if we want to be very polite when we ask questions, it’s good
idea to begin our questions with the word “could,” and we always need to use the magic word.

A: The magic word?

B: yah, the magic word, “please.”

A: ok.

B: so (......), why don’t you try asking the waitress one more time?

A: could you please recommend something to eat?

The waitress: I would be happy to, but first, let me get you all started with drinks.

A: oh, can I have a soda?

B: Magic word?

A: can I have a soda, please?

The waitress: Thank you. And you sir?

B: ummm. Could I have a glass of camel’s milk please?

The waitress: I’m sorry, we do not have camel’s milk on the menu today.

B: umm, How about a diet soda.

The waitress: Sure, I’ll be right back with your drinks.

(the waitress leaves the table)

B: you know what you want?

A: I think I need a little help. What do you get here?

B: I typically get the cowboy burger. It’s probably my favorite.

A: wait, a burger? But there’s no meat here, right?

B: yah, but they use a meat substitute.

A: what’s a substutute?

B: Substitute. Remember last week when I was sick for a few days and missed school?

A: yeah.

B: well, the teacher who temporarily replaced me was a subtitute.

A: so, they use the teacher in the burger to replace the meat?

B: No, no, no. So, substitute is something that replaces something else.

A: ohh, I see. So, if there is no meat, what is it?

B: well, the menu explains everything. You have different choices for your hamburger patties.
They’re all plant based.

A: fine. (looking at the menu for a while) I think I might be a little adventurous and get the hummus
wrap and the cowboy burger.

B: Hummus, that’s not adventurous. Try something new.

A: relax, dude.

The waitress: Thank you for waiting. (The waitress serve the drinks on the table) are you ready to
order?

B: yah, why don’t you start bro? (pointing at friends)

A: Can I have the hummus for an appetizer? And the nachos supremo for my main course and the
cowboy burger.

B: (......), why don’t you try ordering my food, please.

A: could he please gets the cowboy burger?

B: that’s good. But how about, could he please get the cowboy burger?

A: ok, you mean without the “S”?

B: Yes, without the “S”.

A: Could he please get the cowboy burger?

B: oh wait, I want to try something else. May I please have the eight layer burrito?

Thewaiter: Sure, May I get these menus out of the way for you please? (taking all the menus out of
the table)

A: Thank you.

The waiter: thank you.

(the waiter serve the food in the kitchen and come to the table again with the orders)

The waiter: Who had the eight layer burrito?

B: that was me. Thank you.

The waiter: and the hummus with the nachos supreme?

A: thank you.

The waiter: and of course, the cowboy burger.

A: oh yah, thank you.

(the waiter leaves the table)

B: let’s eat. Bismillah... (trying the food on the plate) this is good. What do you think?

A: Actually, it’s pretty good. And for this burger, I have to admit, this tastes as good as a real
hamburger. Am I a vegetarian now?

B: Hahaha... don’t worry.