🧑💼 Formal (10 Situations)
Used in upscale restaurants, business meetings, or with unfamiliar company
1. Business Lunch Reservation
Context: Making a phone reservation for a formal lunch
A: Good afternoon, Carlton’s Fine Dining. How may I assist you?
B: Good afternoon. I’d like to reserve a table for three at 1 p.m. tomorrow for a business lunch.
A: Certainly. May I have your name, please?
B: James Eldridge.
A: Noted, Mr. Eldridge. We’ll see you at 1 p.m. tomorrow.
2. Ordering Politely
Context: Ordering at a high-end restaurant
Waiter: May I take your order?
Guest: Yes, I’ll have the grilled salmon with lemon dill sauce, please.
Waiter: Would you care for a starter or some wine?
Guest: A glass of Chardonnay would be lovely, thank you.
3. Dealing with Allergies
Context: Ensuring no allergens are present
Guest: Excuse me, does the mushroom risotto contain any nuts?
Waiter: Let me double-check with the kitchen. May I ask if it’s an allergy?
Guest: Yes, I have a severe nut allergy.
Waiter: Understood. I’ll confirm and suggest alternatives if needed.
4. Complimenting Service
Context: Complimenting the experience professionally
Guest: I must say, the service has been outstanding. Please thank the chef.
Manager: Thank you so much. I’ll certainly pass that along.
5. Discreet Complaint
Context: Politely addressing a problem
Guest: Pardon me, but my steak appears undercooked. Would it be possible to have it cooked a bit more?
Waiter: Of course, my apologies. I’ll have that corrected immediately.
6. Requesting the Bill
Guest: Excuse me, could we please have the check when you have a moment?
Waiter: Certainly, I’ll bring it right over.
7. Wine Pairing
Guest: Could you recommend a wine to accompany the duck breast?
Sommelier: Certainly. A Pinot Noir would pair excellently with that dish.
8. Business Dinner Small Talk
Guest 1: I’ve heard the truffle pasta here is excellent.
Guest 2: Yes, their use of ingredients is always refined. It’s a popular choice for business dinners.
9. Formal Date
Date 1: I’m glad we chose this place. The ambiance is perfect.
Date 2: Absolutely. It has a very elegant atmosphere.
10. Reservation Issue
Guest: I had a reservation under “Chen” for 7 p.m.
Host: I do apologize, but it seems there was a mix-up. May I offer you a seat at the lounge while we prepare a table?
😌 Semi-Formal (10 Situations)
Used in family restaurants, casual business lunches, or hotel dining
11. Walk-in at a Family Restaurant
Host: Welcome! Do you have a reservation?
Guest: No, just the two of us.
Host: That’s fine—please follow me to your table.
12. Ordering for the Table
Guest: We’d like to start with the nachos to share, then I’ll have the chicken fajitas.
Waiter: Excellent. And would you like any drinks?
Guest: I’ll have a ginger ale, please.
13. Asking About Specials
Guest: Are there any specials today?
Waiter: Yes! We have a seafood paella and a spicy lamb stew, both very popular.
14. Describing Preferences
Guest: Could I have my burger medium-well, and please no onions?
Waiter: Absolutely, I’ll make a note of that.
15. Asking for Recommendations
Guest: I can’t decide—what would you recommend?
Waiter: If you like spicy food, the jambalaya is fantastic.
16. Complaining Gently
Guest: Sorry, but my soup is a bit cold. Could it be reheated?
Waiter: Of course! I’ll take care of that right away.
17. Family Dining
Parent: Can we get a high chair for the baby?
Waiter: Certainly. I’ll bring one over.
18. Splitting the Bill
Guest 1: Should we split the bill?
Guest 2: Sure, let’s go half and half.
19. Asking for More Time
Waiter: Are you ready to order?
Guest: Not quite yet. Could we have a few more minutes?
20. Feedback on Food
Guest: The lasagna was great—so cheesy and rich!
Waiter: I’m glad you enjoyed it!
😄 Informal (10 Situations)
Used in diners, fast food, cafes, or with friends
21. Ordering at a Café
Barista: What can I get started for you?
Customer: I’ll take an iced latte and a blueberry muffin.
Barista: You got it!
22. Changing an Order
Customer: Hey, actually, can I change that to an almond milk latte instead?
Barista: No problem—almond milk it is!
23. Fast Food Order
Cashier: What’ll it be?
Customer: A double cheeseburger combo, no pickles, and a Sprite.
Cashier: Got it!
24. Eating with Friends
Friend 1: This place is such a find!
Friend 2: Right? And it’s super cheap for what you get.
25. Casual Complaint
Customer: Hey, just a heads up—my fries were kind of cold.
Server: Oh sorry about that! Want me to bring you a fresh batch?
26. Asking for Takeaway
Customer: Can I get the rest to-go?
Waiter: Of course! I’ll bring a box.
27. Forgotten Item
Customer: I think you forgot my side of coleslaw.
Server: Whoops—sorry! I’ll grab that right now.
28. Group Order
Friend 1: Should we just get a bunch of stuff and share?
Friend 2: Totally. Let’s get some wings, sliders, and nachos.
29. Trying a New Dish
Customer: I’ve never had bibimbap before—what’s in it?
Server: It’s a Korean rice bowl with veggies, meat, egg, and spicy sauce. Super good!
30. Asking for Wi-Fi
Customer: Hey, do you guys have Wi-Fi?
Barista: Yup! The password’s on the wall by the register.
1. Formal – Fine Dining Reservation
Context: A customer calls an upscale restaurant to book a table.
Waiter: “Good evening, Le Petit Bistro. How may I assist you?”
Customer: “Hello, I’d like to reserve a table for two this Friday at 7:30 PM, preferably by the window.”
Waiter: “Certainly. May I have your name, and would you like our tasting menu or à la carte?”
Customer: “It’s under Mr. Dawson. We’d prefer the tasting menu with wine pairing, please.”
Waiter: “Very well, Mr. Dawson. We’ll see you on Friday. Should you need anything, don’t hesitate to call.”
2. Semi-Formal – Arriving & Seating
Context: A couple arrives at a mid-range restaurant without a reservation.
Host: “Welcome to The Olive Tree. Do you have a reservation?”
Customer: “No, we don’t. Is there a table available for two?”
Host: “We can seat you at the bar now or a table in 15 minutes.”
Customer: “We’ll wait for the table, thanks.”
Host: “Perfect. I’ll notify you when it’s ready. Would you like a drink at the bar while you wait?”
3. Informal – Ordering Fast Food
Context: A teenager orders at a fast-food counter.
Cashier: “What can I get you today?”
Customer: “I’ll have a cheeseburger meal, large, with a Coke—no ice.”
Cashier: “Fries with that?”
Customer: “Yeah, and extra ketchup, please.”
Cashier: “Cool, that’ll be $8.50. Pull ahead to the next window.”
4. Formal – Wine Selection
Context: A diner asks the sommelier for a wine recommendation.
Sommelier: “Have you chosen a wine, sir, or would you like assistance?”
Customer: “I’d like a full-bodied red to pair with the ribeye. Any suggestions?”
Sommelier: “Our Cabernet Sauvignon has rich tannins that complement steak beautifully.”
Customer: “Excellent, we’ll take a bottle, please.”
5. Semi-Formal – Dietary Restrictions
Context: A customer informs the server about allergies.
Waiter: “Are you ready to order?”
Customer: “Yes, but I’m gluten-intolerant. Which dishes are safe?”
Waiter: “Our grilled salmon and roasted vegetables are gluten-free. I’ll notify the chef.”
Customer: “Perfect, I’ll have that. Thank you for checking.”
6. Informal – Complaining About Food
Context: A customer finds their meal undercooked.
Customer: “Excuse me, my burger is still pink inside. Can I get it well-done?”
Waiter: “Sorry about that. I’ll have the kitchen recook it right away.”
Customer: “Thanks. And can I get more fries while I wait?”
7. Formal – Business Dinner
Context: Two colleagues discuss a deal over dinner.
Diner 1: “I highly recommend the filet mignon—it’s their specialty.”
Diner 2: “I’ll trust your judgment. And perhaps we can finalize the contract details over dessert?”
Waiter: “Would you like to see the wine list, gentlemen?”
8. Semi-Formal – Splitting the Bill
Context: Friends ask for separate checks.
Customer: “Could we split the bill? I had the pasta and two drinks.”
Waiter: “Of course. I’ll bring two receipts—one for each card.”
9. Informal – Takeaway Order
Context: A customer calls for pickup.
Cashier: “Tony’s Pizza, what’ll it be?”
Customer: “Large pepperoni, garlic bread, and a side of wings—extra spicy.”
Cashier: “Pickup in 20 minutes. Name?”
Customer: “Yeah, it’s Jake.”
10. Formal – Sending Back a Dish
Context: A diner returns an overcooked steak politely.
Customer: “Pardon me, but my steak is overdone. I requested medium-rare.”
Waiter: “My apologies, sir. I’ll have a new one prepared immediately.”
