Don’t panic

Take your time.

Don’t take it (too much) to heart.

Remarks like The label is sticking out the back of your sweater или Your pants are torn /split in the back are not given to a chance passer-by / encounter in this culture as they sound quite rude and tactless.

Asking for advice:

Can you give me any advice? What should I do?

What do you suggest /recommend /advise?

I’d like to know your opinion / what you think about this?

Giving advice:

You ought to… I advise you to + verb

I suggest that you + verb Why don’t you…?

If I were you, I’d… You’d better (not)…

Maybe you should… Would you mind if I made a suggestion?

Accepting advice:

Thanks for the advice. That sounds like a good idea.

Thanks. I’ll do that. Yes, I suppose I’d better / I should…

I think I will. I think / Perhaps you’re right.

Rejecting advice:

Thanks, but I don’t think that’s a good idea. Thanks. I’ll think about it.

Thanks, but I’m not so sure. I think that would be a mistake.

I am afraid I can’t / it’s too late / I can’t afford it / to / it’s not allowed.

Cross-Cultural Interaction

Study the following conversation between Jeff and his father. Find one place where Jeff asks his father for advice. Find four places where his father gives him advice. Act out this conversation.

Jeff: Hi, Dad.

Dad: Hello, Jeff. How are you?

Jeff: I’m fine, Dad. How’s Mom? Did she get over her cold?

Dad: Yes, she’s fine now. She went back to her work yesterday.

Jeff: That’s good. Um, Dad, I need to ask you something.

Dad: Sure, son, what is it?

Jeff: Well, uh, the truth is, I’m broke again. Could you lend me $200 until the end of the month?

Dad: Broke again? Jeff, when you moved in with Nancy, you said you could make ends meet. But this is the third time you’ve asked me for help!

Jeff: I know, I know, I’m sorry. But my old guitar broke, and I had to buy a new one. I can’t play on a broken guitar, right?

Dad: Look Jeff, if you want to play in a band, that’s OK with me, but you can’t keep asking me to pay for it.

Jeff: OK, OK, you’re right. But what do you think I ought to do? Everything costs an arm and leg.

Dad: Well, first of all, I think you had better go on a budget. Make a list of all your income and all your expenses. And then it’s simple. Don’t spend more than you earn.

Jeff: But that’s exactly the problem! My expenses are always larger than my income. That’s why I need to borrow money from you.

Dad: Then maybe you should work more hours at the computer store.

Jeff: Dad! I already work 15 hours a week! How can I study and work and find time to play with my band?

Dad: Come on, Jeff, when I was your age…

Jeff: I know, I know. When you were my age you were already married and working and going to school…

Dad: That’s right. And if I could do it, why can’t you?

Jeff: Because I’m not you, Dad, that’s why!

Dad: All right, Jeff, calm down. I don’t expect you to be like me. But I can’t lend you any more money. Your mother and I are on a budget too, you know.

Jeff: Maybe I should just drop out of school, work full-time, and play in the band in the evenings. I can go back to school later.

Dad: I wouldn’t do that if I were you…

Jeff: Ueah, but you’re not me, remember? It’s my life!

Dad: All right, Jeff. Let’s not argue. Why don’t you think about this very carefully and call me back in a few days. And in the meantime, you’d better find a way to pay for that new guitar.

Jeff: Yes, Dad.

Dad: Good-bye.

Jeff: Bye.

2 Advise someone (your friend / co-worker / neighbour, relative etc.) who says to you: