So, I'm studying Russian and living in Moscow. I actually don't speak poorly. However, I'm getting frustrated because in stores, or in restaurants when the host greets me, I manage to bungle my responses to their questions. The scene is something like this:
(demoiselle looking intently at something, for instance, skimpy underwear. Saleswoman approaches, and speaks, surprising demoiselle.)
Clerk: (in Russian, unheard "Can I help you?")
demoiselle: (looks up in shock, with a blank expression) ммм эх хммм только смотреть -- смотрю!! эээээ ....спасибо.
Clerk: (looks at demoiselle with pity) I can speak English.
demoiselle: (silently curses at self for revealling her bumbling foreign status)
So ... could some natives please share with me some examples of typical exchanges in stores and restaurants? I obviously never manage to come up with the right response declining help in stores, and I'd like to learn. You'd think that since I'm placed in a 4th or 5th year class, I'd know these things, but talking to clerks and making reservations on the telephone, and requesting the non-smoking section were never actually covered.
demoiselle
