Crystal ball, Utiquitous, inexperienced.......

[Ju]

Hi Dear,


1) "Crystal Ball"

besides the meaning of a ball made of crystal, is there another implication / meaning? eg .....Most people are limited in their options. However, she has her own crystal ball, which was......


2) "I need to find a formal dress that is beyond the ubiquitous black dress but doesn't cost a fortune."

• Any problem in the above sentence?
• Are there other common words to replace "ubiquitous"

3) "There are plenty of helping hands for the inexperienced."

• Any problem in the above sentence? I thought "inexperienced" is an adjective.

4) "A light and airy boutique setting high-end products, mostly Europoean brands.

• What is the meaning of "light and airy" & "high-end" in the sentence.

5) Could you suggest some ways of oral expression/phrases for a staff to enforce company regulation / policy firmly, yet not offending customers?


6) Besides saying "I am sorry", are there other oral expression to render apologies to customers?


7) "certainly", "sure", "Yes Mr/Ms XXX"

• Which one is the most polite way to reply for customer?
• Any other better suggestion?

8) Any websites/resources related in dealing with customers in proper English under different situation?


9) Usage and Meaning of "I bet" with examples please.



Thanks / ju

[BobK]

An answer to your whole post would take several hours. Maybe we can manage 5 mins, each. I'll start with these fragments:

1) "Crystal Ball"

besides the meaning of a ball made of crystal, is there another implication / meaning? eg .....Most people are limited in their options. However, she has her own crystal ball, which was......


2) "I need to find a formal dress that is beyond the ubiquitous black dress but doesn't cost a fortune."

* Any problem in the above sentence?
* Are there other common words to replace "ubiquitous"

3) "There are plenty of helping hands for the inexperienced."

* Any problem in the above sentence? I thought "inexperienced" is an adjective.

1 A crystal ball is part of the paraphernalia associated with making predictions. If I look into my crystal ball, I see that you're going to meet a tall dark stranger.

2 Here the word ubiquitous is used just to mean common; it really means 'having the characteristic of being everywhere'. The sentence seems generally OK, though I have my doubts about the suitability of the word beyond.

3 inexperienced is an adjective, but 'the inexperienced' is a Noun Phrase - as in comfort the lonely, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless

b

[Anglika]

4) "A light and airy boutique setting high-end products, mostly Europoean brands.

• What is the meaning of "light and airy" & "high-end" in the sentence.

The boutique has been designed so that ther is a feeling of spaciousness; "high-end" implies exclusive and expensive designer goods.

5) Could you suggest some ways of oral expression/phrases for a staff to enforce company regulation / policy firmly, yet not offending customers?

"I am afraid that the company's policy is to do xxxxxxxxx, and I am not in a position to alter this policy. Would you care to speak to my manager on this matter? [Use the second part if the customer is being REALLY difficulr]

6) Besides saying "I am sorry", are there other oral expression to render apologies to customers?

Please accept my apologies [but really "I am sorry" is the best]


7) "certainly", "sure", "Yes Mr/Ms XXX"

• Which one is the most polite way to reply for customer?
• Any other better suggestion?

NEVER "Sure" - implies an off-hand attitude. The reply does depend somewhat on the situation and/or question. "Certainly", "With pleasure", "My pleasure", using either the customer's name if known, or Sir/Madam if not known would all be acceptable. I take it this relates to the expensive boutique?

[Ju]

BobK

Many thanks / ju

[Ju]

Anglika,

Many thanks / ju

[Ju]

Originally Posted by Anglika

4) "A light and airy boutique setting high-end products, mostly Europoean brands.

• What is the meaning of "light and airy" & "high-end" in the sentence.

The boutique has been designed so that ther is a feeling of spaciousness; "high-end" implies exclusive and expensive designer goods.

5) Could you suggest some ways of oral expression/phrases for a staff to enforce company regulation / policy firmly, yet not offending customers?

"I am afraid that the company's policy is to do xxxxxxxxx, and I am not in a position to alter this policy. Would you care to speak to my manager on this matter? [Use the second part if the customer is being REALLY difficulr]

6) Besides saying "I am sorry", are there other oral expression to render apologies to customers?

Please accept my apologies [but really "I am sorry" is the best]


7) "certainly", "sure", "Yes Mr/Ms XXX"

• Which one is the most polite way to reply for customer?
• Any other better suggestion?

NEVER "Sure" - implies an off-hand attitude. The reply does depend somewhat on the situation and/or question. "Certainly", "With pleasure", "My pleasure", using either the customer's name if known, or Sir/Madam if not known would all be acceptable. I take it this relates to the expensive boutique?

Anglike,

Could you elaborate the meaning w/ example of "off-hand attitude" in your previous message?

Thanks / ju

[curmudgeon]

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