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Service Industry

Date: Aug 23 2004

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

What do you do for a living? If you’re a student and you work, there’s a good chance that you work in the service industry. Both Sara and Steph have worked in this field before. Listen as they talk about the pros and cons of doing this kind of work.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Steph

Sara

Steph: Have you ever worked in the service industry?

Sara: Well, I was a waitress for a summer and I actually cleaned houses for three summers when I was in high school.

Steph: Really? What did you think of it?

Sara: Well, I thought being a waitress was really hard because people are hungry and they want their food right away. And they don’t have any patience. And so it made me really anxious. But I really loved cleaning people’s houses, which sounds weird. But, it’s, there’s such gratification because when you leave it looks so good! How ‘bout you? Have you ever worked in the service industry?

Steph: Yeah. I did. I worked in a restaurant before too. And I was a waitress and it was really hard work. I liked it, but I found that after work, I never wanted to talk with my friends.

Sara: Yeah, ‘cause you spend your whole workday talking.

Steph: Totally. Yeah!

Sara: And your feet always hurt, too.

Steph: Totally. Yeah, I had no interest in talking or walking or doing anything like that, so.

Sara: Did you have to wear a really bad uniform?

Steph: No really bad uniform. I mean, it was the traditional black and white. Um, but service industry jobs, like waiting tables, are really great for people, ya know, when they first get to the country and stuff.

Sara: Oh yeah. They’re great ‘cause you can make lots of money in tips.

Steph: That’s really good, yeah.

Sara: Yeah. That’s great!

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Discussion

A lot of people’s first experience with the working world is in the service industry. It’s a really good way for people to learn how to have a good work ethic and make decent money. I worked in a restaurant for about a year before I went to college. The money was really good, but the work was exhausting. After a while, I decided to pursue my interests and go to college. The thing I liked best was that there was always really great Italian food to eat after my shift!