[00:06.81]responding to a situation in which a close
[00:09.30]friend has failed an exam?
[00:12.86]A In this situation the only thing you can do
[00:16.36]is to be sympathetic,
[00:17.86]If your friend didn't study hard enough,
[00:20.22]then he or she's aware of that and won't
[00:22.81]appreciate you bringing it up.
[00:24.50]Try to get your friend's mind off the subject
[00:28.06]and be extra supportive when the time comes
[00:30.05]to rewrite the exam.
[00:33.15]4 Q Whenever I am telephoned out of the blue
[00:36.85]by a friend who invites me to something
[00:39.89]I'm not interested in,
[00:41.23]I find it hard to think of
[00:42.53]an excuse fast enough,
[00:44.03]and always end up either accepting or sounding
[00:46.34]like a complete liar.
[00:48.18]Do you have any suggestions for me?
[00:51.90]A You need a "double diary device".
[00:55.64]It allows you to play for time
[00:57.37]while you make up your mind.
[00:59.37]All you have to say is:
[01:00.54]"I'd love to, but first I have to look in my
[01:03.06]office/husband's/other diary.
[01:05.97]Can I ring you back?"
[01:09.03]5 Q Is it offensive to ask someone
[01:12.19]you're talking to,
[01:13.50]whose accent or dialect you are unable
[01:15.77]to understand well,
[01:17.02]to repeat what they have said?
[01:17.02]
