BBC 6 minute English-Business English: Asking personal questions

Transcript of the podcast

NB: This is not a word-for-word transcript

Feifei: Hello! I’m Feifei and welcome to another episode of 6 Minute English! In today’s programme we’re talking about stress, and here with me in the studio today is the very lovely Neil. How are you today Neil, not too stressed I hope

Neil: You know me Feifei, always cool as a cucumber

Feifei: Ha! Yes, I do. I’m pleased to hear it and have you brought a stressrelated business fact to talk about

Neil: I have. It’s a report from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development here in the UK. Apparently up to 50% of employers are saying that stress-related absence from work has gone up

Feifei: Really? We’re losing more and more work time due to stress

Neil: Yes Feifei, so don’t stress me out or I’ll be going home before we get to the end of the programme

Feifei: I’ll do my best to be nice to you Neil

Neil: Good, because sometimes, you know, things get a bit too much for me and

Feifei: So Neil, if it’s not too personal a question, what do you do to reduce your stress levels at work

Neil: Well, I always deal with problems with colleagues face-to-face before things get too serious

Feifei: Problems with colleagues? Neil you are such a lovely person – I can’t imagine you having problems with colleagues

Neil: I know it’s hard to believe, isn’t it? But it’s the best way, person to person, face to face… you just have to choose your words carefully, especially when you’re asking personal or sensitive questions

Feifei: I think we need to ask Business Betty to tell us more

Neil: And here she is

Neil / FF: It’s Business Betty

Neil: It’s good to see you Betty, looking stunning as always

BB: Thanks. What can I help you with today

Feifei: Can you give us some advice on asking personal questions Betty

BB: I’d be very happy to Feifei. I’m going to start with a cultural tip. Generally speaking, it’s OK to ask personal questions in British culture, when the situation is right and when you choose your words carefully. Now, when asking personal questions, the first thing to do is to give a warning that you’re going to talk about something personal. You could say something like: I wanted to talk to you about a personal matter. Is that OK with you

Feifei: I wanted to talk to you about a personal matter. Is that OK with you

BB: That’s a very good way to start, Feifei. And to introduce a personal question, you can say: If you don’t mind me asking

Feifei: If you don’t mind me asking, have you been feeling stressed at all

BB: Well done. Another useful phrase to use either before or after a personal question is If it’s not too personal a question

Feifei: If it’s not too personal a question, is everything alright at home

BB: Good one! And finally, a really easy one, just say ‘May I ask…’ and then say what you want to know

Feifei: May I ask what the problem was

BB: Good! So to sum up: first give a warning, and then use phrases like ‘If you don’t mind me asking’, ‘If it’s not too personal a question’, and ‘May I ask?’ So Feifei and Neil, how’s that

Feifei: That’s great – thanks Betty

Neil: Thank you Betty

BB: You’re welcome. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way. Bye

Neil / FF: Bye

Neil: She’s a wonderful woman, Business Betty

Feifei: She really is

Neil: I think it’s time for our role-play

Feifei: So do I. I think it’s coming

Neil: Yes, and do you know what that means? It means it’s my turn to be the boss

Feifei: No it’s not, it’s my turn

Neil: It was your turn last time, it’s always your turn to be the boss

Feifei: No, it wasn’t. It’s my turn this time. Let’s start, are you ready

Neil: Bossy! Bossy equals boss

Role-play

Feifei: Come in! Ahhh, Neil! Come in and sit down. What can I do for you today

Neil: Well actually, you asked to see me

Feifei: Did I? Oh yes, that’s right, yes I did. OK, Neil I wanted to talk to you about a personal matter. Is that OK with you

Neil: OK

Feifei: Well, I’ve noticed that you’ve been looking a bit worried lately. So if you don’t mind me asking, have you been feeling stressed at all

Neil: No, not really

Feifei: Oh good. Because the thing is, the other day you looked a bit upset. If it’s not too personal a question, is everything alright at home

Neil: At home, well, we did have a problem last week, but it’s OK now

Feifei: Oh good, good. May I ask what the problem was

Neil: Oh my daughter’s goldfish died. She was quite upset, but she’s OK, we are pulling through

Feifei: Good, good, well if it happens again you will let me know, won’t you

Neil: Yes of course. Thank you

Feifei: You’re welcome

Feifei: OK Neil, that was today’s role-play. How did I do

Neil: That was pretty good! You’re not bad actually

Feifei: I told you I would be

Feifei: That’s it for today’s topic. May I ask if you enjoyed the programme

Neil: I enjoyed it very much! It’s been good and not at all stressful

Feifei: So you won’t be taking any time off work because of stress

Neil: No, I don’t think so

Feifei: Good! Join us again for another episode of 6 Minute English

Neil / FF: Bye