There were two Italian coming to our restaurant. I wonder the best way to start a small talk to ask some simple questions like where they’re from and why they are here (work or travel). I know it’s not the best way to say like “hi, where’re u from”, which they must’ve answered a thousand times (one of them has lived in China for 22 years).

Also I’d like to know how you’d end the conversation. Again, I spoke as strange as like “I won’t bother you anymore”. Another sentence came to my mind was “Enjoy ur meal” but they had already finished and ask to pay the bill so….

An awkward start. But I’ll keep it up learning English so help me with it pleaseeeeeee🙏🏻

A few example sentences would be just fine for me. Thanks!!!

Answers

luvie7

28 January

Featured answer

Vietnamese
English (US) Near fluent

@Cherrrrrr If I were in your shoes, I would also want to make sure that the person I was speaking with understood my intentions. I might say something like,

"I wanted to clarify that my mention of my job search was not meant as a request for employment from you, but rather just an update on my current situation."

"I apologize if my previous statement may have been misinterpreted, I did not intend to imply that I am seeking job opportunities from you, I simply wanted to inform you that I am currently still searching for employment opportunities."

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luvie7

28 January

Vietnamese
English (US) Near fluent

For ending the conversation, you can use:

"Good morning/afternoon/evening! How are you today?"
"Excuse me, is this your first time visiting our restaurant?"
"Where in Italy are you from?"
"How do you find Italian cuisine here in China?"
"Do you have a favorite dish on the menu?"

And for ending the conversation, you can use:

"It was a pleasure having you as our guests, we hope you'll come back soon"
"I'm glad you enjoyed your meal, let us know if there's anything we can do to make your experience even better next time"
"Thank you for choosing our restaurant, have a good day/night!"
"I hope you enjoyed your meal, please let us know you need anything."
"Thank you for choosing our restaurant, we hope to see you again soon."
"It was nice chatting with you, have a pleasant evening."

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Cherrrrrr

28 January

Simplified Chinese (China)

@luvie7 thank you so much for the examples.
May I ask some more questions? We had a quick chat about our job and I told him I’m currently searching for a new one. ( I was laid off and have been helping my parents with the restaurant) He raised to add my WeChat account( a Chinese chatting app) and sent “we’ll talk about it on Monday”. I thought he mistaken my intention of telling him my current situation than asking for a job opportunity so I came back to him and said “ in case u may misunderstand I don’t mean to find a job from u but just to tell u that I’m still searching for a job”. Do u feel strange abt how I expressed? How would u say if u were in my shoes?

(“ if u were in my shoes”, how does this sentence sound?
How abt “he raised”? Or would it be better by “asked”?)

luvie7

28 January

Vietnamese
English (US) Near fluent

@Cherrrrrr If I were in your shoes, I would also want to make sure that the person I was speaking with understood my intentions. I might say something like,

"I wanted to clarify that my mention of my job search was not meant as a request for employment from you, but rather just an update on my current situation."

"I apologize if my previous statement may have been misinterpreted, I did not intend to imply that I am seeking job opportunities from you, I simply wanted to inform you that I am currently still searching for employment opportunities."

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Cherrrrrr

28 January

Simplified Chinese (China)

@luvie7 thanks. This sounds very formal.

luvie7

28 January

Vietnamese
English (US) Near fluent

@Cherrrrrr You should write it as "He asked to add me on WeChat", or "He asked for my WeChat account".

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Cherrrrrr

28 January

Simplified Chinese (China)

@luvie7 thank you for the correction. Btw your answer to the job search thing sounds really formal. Is it good in a daily small talk?

luvie7

28 January

Vietnamese
English (US) Near fluent

@Cherrrrrr No, not really. Do you want me to write it in a casual way?

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Cherrrrrr

28 January

Simplified Chinese (China)

@luvie7 yes, please, if u have the time. ( by saying ‘if u have the time’ I meant to politely imply that I hope I wouldn’t take up too much of ur time and energy replying to me.)