Shopping
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Exercise 1. Read the text and be ready to answer questions after the text:
The Big Stores of London
One of the features of London is the number of big stores, most of which are to be found in or near the West End. These stores are a mixture of tradition and modernity.
They developed in the nineteenth century; they maintain the dignity of that century, yet they are always ready to follow new trends.
The big stores of London are vast buildings, many storeys high, equipped with speedy lifts and escalators, with well-planned lighting, ventilation and heating.
Departments are carefully named; "Budget Dresses" are really cheap dresses - but no customer likes to be thought of as a "cheap" shopper. The same applies to "Ready-to-wear"; it used to be used for the garments that were not made-to-measure, though now off-the-peg clothes are the rule rather than the exception. "Mother-to-be" or "Lady-in-Waiting" will often be found instead of the conventional "Maternity Wear". Then there are newer words for the new trends in fashion - "Mix-and-Match", "Unisex", which are used alongside the more old-fashioned names: "Haberdashery", "Millinery", "Gowns", and sometimes still the words derived from the French - "Mantles" for coats, "Layette" for baby-wear. Another feature of London's shopping life is the chain-stores, in which the goods are displayed on open counters. A wide variety of goods is offered - chiefly foodstuffs, household goods, clothing and stationery. These chain-stores have branches in most British towns of importance.
One very well-known firm of chemists has shops in many parts of London (and elsewhere); here you may buy not only medicines but also cosmetics and toilet supplies.
Dairy firms have shops in various parts of London, too, and in these you may buy not only dairy produce but also groceries, soap and household articles.
Most of the food stores, called supermarkets, operate on the self-service system: you go in, pick up a basket, walk round the shop and choose what you want. At the exit there is a check-out point, a cash-desk where you pay for all your goods together.
Exercise 2. Learn the vocabulary:
A Department Store
A booth
A stall (a kiosk)
A salesman (a shop assistant)
A saleswoman (a shop assistant)
A window display
(a show-case, a shop window)
Departments
Textiles dept.
Drapery dpt.
Ready-made clothes dept.
Ladies/mens/childrens wear/outfit //
Footwear (shoe) dept.
Hat dept.
Millinery dept.
Haberdashery dpt.
Knitted goods dept.
Hosiery dept. -
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Linen and underwear/ lingerie dept.
Fur dept.
Sports goods dpt.
Sportswear
Leather goods
Perfumery/ make-up dept.
Jwrly dept.
Souvenirs dept./ (gift shop)
Toy dept.
Stationery dept.
Dpt. for musical instruments
Household goods dept.
Dpt. for electrical appliances
Crockery and glassware dept.
Pastry dept.
Stores: :
Boutique
Supermarket
Self-service shop
Chain store
Second-hand shop
Butcher's
Fishmonger's
Bookshop
Confectionary
Shoe shop
Camera shop
Baker's
Florist's
Greengrocer's
Grocer's
Antique shop
Hardware shop/ ironmonger's
Tobacconist's
Dairy shop
Furniture shop
Chemist's/ drug store
Record shop
Shopping phrases
| I have some shopping to do today | - . |
| I want to go and buy . | ... |
| Where can one buy shoes? | ? |
| Can I help you? How can I help you? What can I do for you? | ? |
| Yes, please. I'd like a tooth brush. | , . . |
| Yes. I'm looking for a skirt. | , () . |
| It's all right. Thanks. I'm being served. | , . . |
| Are you looking for something special? | - ? |
| No, thanks. I'm just looking (around). | , , . |
| Thank you. I will call you. | , . |
| Let me know if you need my help. | , . |
| Excuse me, where is the toy department/ the lift/the check -out stand? | , / / ? |
| It's round the corner. | . |
| Excuse me, I'm looking for a jumper. | , . |
| Yes, what size are you? Excuse me, wheres the changing- room? | , ? , ? |
| Its over there. | ( ). |
| Do you like to go about window shopping? | , , ? |
| The shop window is nicely dressed. | . |
| When does the department store open (close)? | () ? |
| How long do they keep open on Saturdays? | ? |
| It's closing time. | . |
| Let's go to the rag fair. | . |
| Try to get it at the shop in N. Street. | . |
| This is a first-rate shop. | . |
| Please tell me how to get to the ready-made clothes department? | , , ? |
| How does one get to the order-counter? | () ? |
| Oh, here is a place where they sell gloves | , . |
| Let's go over to the counter. | . |
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