English at University: 3 - Learn English phrases about compromise
By BBC Learning English
Summary
## Key takeaways - **Putting your foot down despite being new**: Even as the newcomer, Mary must 'put her foot down' because 'if you don't say what you want, then you won't get it.' Asserting yourself early establishes you're 'not to be messed with.' [01:40], [02:45] - **"Set some ground rules" opens compromise**: The phrase 'Could we set some ground rules, please?' introduces the basic rules of how the shared space should be run, framing the conversation as collaborative rather than confrontational. [01:57], [02:01] - **"Would you mind" softens tricky requests**: 'Would you mind keeping the room a bit more tidy?' and 'It would be a great help if I could have some space on the desk' model polite phrasing for asking a roommate to change messy habits. [02:01], [02:59] - **Offer a "reasonable compromise"**: Proposing 'you keep your things on your side... and I'll look after this side' and asking 'Would that be a reasonable compromise?' invites the other person to accept shared responsibility. [02:22], [02:32] - **British slang: "a tip" means a mess**: When Mary's room is called 'a tip,' it means 'really messy' — and even stronger vocabulary like 'a bomb's gone off' or 'pigsty' can describe the same horrible, untidy state. [02:40], [02:45]
Topics Covered
- Compromise wins where ultimatums divide
- Silence keeps your wants invisible to others
Full Transcript
Welcome back to English at University, the series that teaches some English phrases to help you through your first year of study abroad.
Mary's finally found her way to the university, no thanks to new student Daniel. She's
managed to find her way to the accommodation block and is looking for her new room. It's exciting, isn't it, Mary? Well, I'm at my
room. It's exciting, isn't it, Mary? Well, I'm at my room. Exciting, isn't it, Mary? Well, I'm at my room, Room 101,
room. Exciting, isn't it, Mary? Well, I'm at my room, Room 101, but the door's already open. Well, you'd better go in. Good luck.
Oh, hello. Sorry, I thought this was my room, Room 101. Yeah, it's
Room 101, and you must be my new roommate. We share rooms here. I'm Abby,
pleased to meet you. Nice to meet you, too. But I didn't realise I was sharing a room. Oh, don't worry. But I didn't realise I was sharing a room.
Oh, don't worry. I won't bite. We'll have a blast. A laugh, a party. An amazing time. I've been here three years. It's great. Loads
party. An amazing time. I've been here three years. It's great. Loads
of fit guys, parties. And studying? What's that?
Listen, don't mind my mess. I tend to dry my washing on the windowsill. That's
when I actually wash it. Sorry about the clothes on the floor. And all that stuff on the desk is mine.
I'm sure you won't be needing the desk anyway. Well, uh...
Mary, this place is a tip. That means it's really messy. It's time you put your foot down. It's your room too and she'll have to compromise. You'll have to ask her to tidy up and set some ground rules, you know, the basic rules of how something should be done.
Abby it's great that we're going to be roommates but could we set some ground rules please would you mind keeping the room a bit more tidy it would be a great help if I could have some space on the desk to put my things and maybe
you could keep your things on your side of the room and I'll look after this side would that be a reasonable compromise And I'll look after this side. Would
that be a reasonable compromise? Oh. Well, I suppose so.
Well done, Mary. This place looks like a bomb's gone off. It's really untidy. And
if you don't say what you want, then you won't get it. Even though you're the new girl, Abby will hopefully see that you're not to be messed with. Here
are those phrases again. Could we set some ground rules, please? Would you
mind keeping the room a bit more tidy? Rules, please. Would you mind keeping the room a bit more tidy? It would be great if I could have some space on the desk to put my things. Would that be a reasonable compromise?
Visit bbclearningenglish .com to practice these phrases and learn more about student accommodation in the UK. Now, has Abby agreed to tidy up this pigsty, this horrible, messy
UK. Now, has Abby agreed to tidy up this pigsty, this horrible, messy room? Well, Mary, you're a bit bossy, but I... room. Well,
room? Well, Mary, you're a bit bossy, but I... room. Well,
Mary, you're a bit bossy, but I think we're going to get on very well.
Anyone at home? Oh, no, not him. Hi, Mary. I found out that this was your room. Hey, Mary, who's this loser? Stick with me and I'll introduce you to lots of guys at Freshers Week.
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