English for Real Life

English for Real Life: What to Say in a Restaurant / Shop / Call

By: Slow English Practice Team

Have you ever found yourself in a restaurant or on a call, knowing what you want to say in your language but going completely blank in English?

You're not alone.

When I first moved to an English-speaking country, I thought I was “good” at English. I’d studied grammar, passed exams, and could read articles online. But the first time I walked into a restaurant and tried to order food, I froze.

🥄 At the Restaurant: My First Time Ordering

It was a small café. I walked in, looked at the menu, and then… panic.

I wanted a coffee and a sandwich, but instead of saying something clear, I mumbled:

"Uh… one… coffee… and… sandwich… please?"

The cashier smiled politely, but I could tell I didn’t sound confident.

👉 Later, I realized all I needed were a few basic, natural phrases. Here’s what I now use confidently

“Can I get a…?”

Example: “Can I get a cappuccino and a tuna sandwich, please?”

“I’ll have the…”

Example: “I’ll have the chicken salad.”

“Is this dish vegetarian?”

(This one helped me many times)

“Could I have that to go?”

“Could I see the menu, please?”

(If they don’t hand it to you immediately)

🛍️ At the Shop: Asking for Help

In a store, I used to just walk around and look lost. I didn’t know how to ask for help.

But then I started using phrases like👇

“Excuse me, do you have this in a medium size?”

“I’m just looking, thank you.”

(When a shop assistant offers help, but you want to browse)

“How much is this?”

“Do you accept cards?”

“Can I try this on?” (For clothes)

Once I started using these sentences, shopping became fun – not scary.

📞 On a Call: Speaking Without Seeing Faces

Phone calls were the hardest. You can’t see the other person’s face, and they can’t see your confusion. My first English phone call was to book an appointment, and I could hardly understand what the receptionist was saying.

What helped me? Preparing simple scripts and listening carefully.

Here’s a format I still follow

🔹 Start with a greeting and reason:

“Hi, my name is [Maestra]. I’d like to make an appointment.”

🔹 Ask for repetition if needed:

“Sorry, could you repeat that please?”

🔹 Confirm what you heard:

“So the appointment is at 3 p.m. on Thursday, right?”

🔹 End politely:

“Thank you so much. Have a nice day”

Over time, my listening improved, and now I feel much more confident.

🌟 Last Tips from My Real-Life Experience

Here’s what I’ve learned👇

You don’t need perfect grammar.

You need clear, useful sentences you can use daily.

Practice with real-life situations.

Rehearse restaurant conversations, phone calls, or shopping chats with a friend or teacher.

Listen to how native speakers talk.

Movies, YouTube, and real conversations taught me natural ways of saying things – not textbook English.

Use voice apps or talk to yourself.

I used to walk around my room saying, “Can I get a coffee, please?” just to practice tone and rhythm.

✅ Useful Phrases Summary Table

Situation Useful Phrase

Restaurant “Can I get a ___, please?”

Restaurant “I’ll have the ___.”

Shop “Excuse me, do you have this in [size]?”

Shop “How much is this?”

Phone Call “Hi, I’d like to ___.”

Phone Call “Could you repeat that, please?”

💬 Your Turn

If you’ve ever felt nervous in real-life situations, know that it’s completely normal. What matters is taking small steps every day.

Start with one phrase. Practice it. Use it next time you go out. Then add more.

That’s how I improved – not overnight, but step by step.

You can do it too.