English Conversation - In the Office Elevator

Improve English Speaking through everyday conversation In the Office Elevator
I have written a detailed book English conversation for all occasions, to learn English as Foreign Language.
This tutorial In the Office Elevator has been prepared from my well known book English conversation for all occasions, which I wrote for Indian students to improve everyday conversation..
English Conversation for All Occasions is a unique book of its kind, specially written to help Indian student. A quick look at the titles of the lessons would convince the reader that the book has been prepared by visualizing all types of situational conversations which may confront any man or woman in his daily activities. Whether one converses with his family members or moves about to mix in society, he will not feel tongue-tied for want of appropriate words or expressions. In a post office or barber’s shop, at a hotel or taxi stand, every person who has read this book, will be able to speak in English fluently and with confidence.
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Ranjan works on the eighth floor of a office tower building. Each morning he has to go up in the elevator to the office. Ranjan is standing in the queue with a colleague of his, prema.

Ranjan pressing the elevator button to go to his office floor

Ranjan Good morning prema. You are looking well this morning.
Prema Good morning to you too. You too are looking smart, (Ranjan is in conversations with other passengers waiting for the elevator)Thank Goodness there isn’t such a long line for the Elevator this morning.
Ranjan Here comes the Elevator. It takes only eight passengers. I think we can all get in. Come on, get in ahead of me.
Prema No, no, Ranjan. You were in the line. before me, you get in first.
Ranjan That doesn’t matter, ladies first always.
They both get into the lift to go to their office floor.
passengers waiting for the elevator

Prema in conversation with Ranjan That was very chivalrous of you. It is nice to come across a young man who has polite manners. These days, men treat women with even more discourtesy because they say that if you women are to have equal rights, you must share the discomforts equally too.
Ranjan I guess one could argue this subject in many ways. But personally I am of the opinion that man must show courtesy to a lady.
Prema How about the ladies who work in a subordinate position to a man.
Ranjan This is a situation which occurs all the time. And I do notice that the men are not quite sure as to how to deal with their women employees.
Prema I think that a girl or woman who is working under a man must give him the respect due to his position.
Ranjan You are quite right. Of course discipline must be maintained. But if the boss shows some courtesy which is only good manners, it doesn’t take anything away from his authority.
Prema What exactly do you mean?
Ranjan For instance, let us take the situation in which a man and a woman working in the same office have to travel together to some place. The man is senior to the lady. Who do you think ought to enter the lift first?

Prema Well, normally, if there was no office relationship, the lady should enter first. But in this case, the matter would be decided by whoever is standing in the line ahead gets in first in the elevator.
Ranjan Not really. After all the two peopleworking in the same office building do know each other. I see no harm in the gentleman letting the lady stand in front of him. In the same way, even though he is senior, he should open the door of the taxi or car for the lady to get into the vehicle. Even though people work at various grades in an office yet accepted office codes of courtesy ought not to be forgotten.
Prema Well, now I know whom to ask for a lift.
Ranjan You’re always welcome.
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Good knowledge and satisfactory conversation drill is important in English speaking. This Tutorial would not only prove an asset to the reader in his daily life, but also on special occasions like interviews for jobs, etc. He would be able to face the interviewers with equanimity and confidence.
All the lessons have been designed in a programmed fashion. Word-meanings, Phrases and exercises have been added at the end of every lesson to help the students master the topics.
All the lesson should be read along, not once but many times, so that the conversation comes easy to the reader when he faces real life situations. The author would feel rewarded for his labours if the book helps men and women become social relations
This Tutoial should help all those readers who find difficulty in speaking fluent English. This will be completed in 45 lessons.
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(B) VOCABULARY

suggest push button
ascend descend
floor elevator

Phrases

to jump the queue to make up your button
to be in some
body’s way to give advice.

Meanings

elevator lift.
ascend to go up.
descend to come down
floor a story in a building
colleague a co-worker.
chivalrous gentlemanly Behaviour, inclined to defend the weaker party.
courtesy good manners
subordinate lower, assistant
maintained kept in good order.
disciple one who takes another as his teacher or leader.

(C) Study the following responses

1 should the Managing Director of a company travelling with his secretary open the car door for her?
Response- A managing Director would probably have a driver for his car. And the driver would open the door. The Director should let his P.A. get in first, if she is a lady. If he has no driver, he loses nothing by opening the door for his secretary.

2 I think lifts should be used only by the executives. A lot of time is wasted because servants, peon and such persons fill up the lifts.
Response- A lift is a convenience, because it is difficult for people to climb hundreds of stairs. Hence it is a convenience meant for everyone. But there is a valid point that executive and others with high pressure jobs do get impatient at the waste of time involved is standing in long lines. This problem could be solved by having a separate service lift for porters, tradesmen and junior staffs

(D) Make suitable responses

1 What were Ranjan’s ideas about dealing with a girl who is a colleague?
Response _____________________________________
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2 Is it quite all right for twelve people to travel in a lift a meant for 8 persons why?
Response ______________________________________
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3 How should a girl behave in a situation when her boss is man? Should She addresses him as “Sir”? Should she stand up when he enters a room etc?
Response _____________________________________
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