The Meeting
Erina is an exchange student in Vancouver. She meets Mike and asks for directions. (Scenes 3 | Part 1 of 7)
Erina: Hey, excuse me, do you know where I can find F Building.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Erina
|
Mike
|
Mike: Yeah, it's just down at the end of this road, and you take a right, and you're going to see the fountain, and the building that's on the left of the fountain is the F building.
Erina: Oh perfect, because I'm looking for a room, F 305, would it be in the same building?
Mike: Yeah, it's in the same building, but it's not actually on the 3rd floor. So as you walk in the entrance, the classroom is going to be just on your right.
Erina: Okay, thank you. That's pretty confusing. But, okay, thank you.
Mike: By the way, I haven't seen you around. Are you a new student?
Erina: Yes, I'm on an exchange from Japan.
Mike: Oh wow. You don't seem to have much of a Japanese accent.
Erina: Oh thank you.
Mari Goes to Australia
Part 1: First Meeting
Part 2: Drop Classes
Part 3: The Invite
Part 4: The Job Offer
Part 5: The Interview
Part 6: Work Rules
Part 7: The Mistake
Mike: Have you lived abroad?
Erina: Yes, I've lived abroad for many years.
Mike: Many years.
Erina: Yes.
Mike: Where have you lived?
Erina: I don't know where to start with, but, I've lived in Africa for many years, and other countries for many years as well.
Mike: Wow, Africa. What country did you live in Africa.
Erina: South Africa, and Zambia. A lot of people don't know where it is, but...
Mike: Well I've never been there, but I do know where it is.
Erina: That's great.
Mike: Why did you go to Africa?
Erina: Because of my parents' job. I was really young, but my parents dragged me all the way to Africa.
Mike: That must have been quite an experience.
Erina: Yes it was. I gotta catch a class, so I gotta go, but thank you very much for your help.
Mike: Yeah, no problem. I'm usually in the cafeteria, so if you see me around, don't be a stranger.
Erina: Okay. Oh, I'm sorry I forgot to introduce myself to you. My name's Erina and I'm majoring business in this school.
Mike: Nice. I'm majoring business, too. My name is Mike.
Erina: Oh wow, nice to meet you. I will see you around.
Mike: Okay. See you later.
Erina: Have a nice day.
Perfect
Oh, perfect because I am looking for a room.
The response 'perfect' to a an answer or statement shows the person is very happy with what they heard.
Instead of 'perfect', the words 'great', 'fantastic' and 'wonderful' are also often used. Notice the following:
A: Is Bob coming to the picnic?
B: Yes, and he is bringing his family.
A: Perfect.
I don't know where to start
When the speaker has lots of information, they often use the phrase 'I don't know where to start with' or 'I don't know where to begin'.
This lets the listener know the answer might be long or very detailed. Notice the following:
A: What jobs have you had before?
B: I don't know where to start with. I've been a cook, clerk, driver, and others too.
drag me
My parents dragged me to Africa.
When you drag someone somewhere, that means you take them to a place they did not want to go to on their own.
You drag them because you make them go there. Notice the following:
- My friend dragged me to the Mall.
- My father is always dragging me to auto shows.
don't be a stranger
If you see me around, don't be a stranger.
The phrase 'don't be a stranger' is a nice way to say you would like to see someone again and that you like their company.
Don't be a stranger is a softer way to say 'I hope to see you again.' Here are a few more uses:
- If you are in town, don't be a stranger. Stop by and see us.
- Don't be a stranger. Call sometime.
see you around
Nice to meet you. I will see you around.
The phrase 'see you around' is very similar to 'see you later'. You use the phrase 'see you around' to people you are not close to.
The phrase implies that you hope to see them by chance in the future. Notice the following:
- I was nice to see you. I hope to see you around campus.
- Thanks for coming to the party. I'll hopefully see you around.
Keep Listening
Vocabulary Challenge
see you around • don't be a stranger