Customs, customs service

Nowadays travelling abroad is very popular. Some people prefer to travel by plane, especially businessmen, because it’s the fastest means of transportation. Those who are not short of time usually travel by train or by ship. It takes more time but gives the opportunity to see the country you travel through, its picturesque landscapes and nature.

While travelling abroad you have to go through customs, sometimes several times.

As a rule the customs officers check your passports and visas if they are required. When coming to some countries you may need a health certificate or a certificate of vaccination. If you have anything to declare, then you are to fill in the declaration form.

The customs officers may ask you to show your luggage to them. Usually articles for personal use and wear and also used items and gifts are not liable to duty anywhere. If you are carrying much currency you should also declare it. If you are carrying weapons you need a permit. Although some items are liable to duty, if you carry only a small amount of them, they are duty free.

Occasionally the customs officers may take some of your things for a more detailed inspection but usually they return them soon.

Do not try to break the customs rules and regulations because you may have a lot of troubles.

Active Words and Word Combinations:

on business – у справі, у відряджені

customs – митниця

passport controle – паспортний контроль

the luggage – багаж

visa – віза

health certificate – довідка про стан здоров’я

certificate of vacсinations – свідоцтво про вакцінaцію

declaration form – декларація

liable to duty – той, що підлягає обкладанню митом

currence – валюта

gifts – подарунки

to declare – одкладання митом

weapon – зброя

permit – дозвіл

inspection – перевірка, огляд

1. READ AND TRANSLATE THE TEXT.

2. RETELL THE TEXT.

Passports

When the plane arrives at the Heathrow airport the passengers get out of the plane and go into the building of the airport. After passing along endless corridors they get to the passport control point called Immigration. There are two gates. One is for passengers from EC (European Community) countries. And the other gate is for passengers from all other countries. After queuing up for some time Mr. Lvov and the group come up to the queue marshal who signals what officer is free. And each person goes to the counter indicated.

Here is a typical talk between the English Immigration officer and a Russian businessman:

Russian: Good morning.

Officer: Good morning, sir. May I see your passport and landing card, please?

Russian: Certainly. Here you are.

Officer: Thank you.... What's the reason for your visit to the UK?

Russian: I'm on a business tour to attend a training programme.

Officer: And how long are you staying here?

Russian: A week or so.

Officer: Have you got a return ticket?

Russian: Yes, certainly. Here is my ticket.

Officer: May I see the invitation of the company who will receive you here?

Russian: Just a minute I'll ask our Group Leader to present it.... Here is the invitation.

Officer: Thank you.... Everything is OK. Here is your passport, ticket and the invitation.

Some Russian businessmen have difficulty in speaking with the English Immigration officers and answering then questions. Usually English officers do not like strangers to help them with interpreting. In such cases the officers ask their own interpreters for help. Most probably these interpreters are staff members of Immigration. For some Russian businessmen of the group it was the first experience with Englishmen and the only words they could say were:

I am sorry. I do not speak English.

Others could say a few words, like these:

I have come as a businessman for training. I shall stay in England for eight days. I shall stay at Sherlock Holmes hotel in London.

Практичне заняття № 6

1. READ AND TRANSLATE THE DIALOGUE.

2. LEARN THE DIALOGUE BY HEART.

At a passport and customs desk

Customs clerk: Your passport, please. How long are you planning to stay in the

country?

Traveller: Three weeks. Could I prolong my entrance visa in case of necessity.

Customs clerk: Sure. The receiving party will take care of it.

Well, bags on the table and your customs — form, please

Traveller: How much does it weight?

Customs clerk: 23 kilos. I am sorry, but you’ll have to pay an excess baggage charge.

Yes, sir...that’s 6 pound. Thank you. Have you anything to declare.

Traveller: What?

Customs clerk: Alcohol, cigarettes, fresh fruit, plants?

Traveller: Uh,no. Only for personal needs.

Customs clerk: Open your suitcase, please. Any gifts?

Traveller: Only one bottle of vodka.

Customs clerk: All right. It is duty free. As you probably know, it is forbidden to bring

more then two bottles of alcohol and two blockes of cigarettes to

England. And no limitations as to currency. Here is your form.

Traveller: Thank you.

Customs clerk: Not at all. The next please.

Teacher ________________I.S.Kokovihinа

Практичне заняття № 7

1. READ AND TRANSLATE THE TEXTS.

2. RETELL THE FIRST TEXT.

Hotel

It's a well known fact that hotels nowadays play a big role. Every year more and more new hotels are opened.

Sometimes it is even difficult to decide which to choose while traveling. There are luxury hotels, which seem to be expensive, b & b hotels, where you will get only breakfasts and a place to sleep, youth hostels, where you meant to serve everything yourself and many other places to stay in. Some people enjoy staying in a hotel. Sure, on the one hand there are a lot of advantages in it. To begin with, it's convenient. You have a chance to make a telephone call and reserve any room you want in a good time, to be confident by your arrival. Besides, you don't need to serve yourself, everything will be done by the hotel staff, I find it wonderful. More than that, I do like that in the hotel you can be offered some interesting excursions and you can be sure that they are safe because the hotel is responsible for every offer.

But on the other hand there are still some disadvantages in staying in a hotel. First of all, the service can be poor and slowly, for this reason you can be late for a business meeting or a friends' party, I find it extremely disappointing. Second, the food can be too salty, overcooked and etc...spoiled. It can be a serious problem for people with weak stomach. Third, the view from the window can be not so romantic as the advertisement said but more modest, it can also disappoint some people, who care about the beaty around them.

Personally I'm for staying in a hotel inspite of all disadvantages. It`s only a freak of chance, everything can happen. So before booking a hotel, you'd better learn some facts about it in the net or from your friends for sure. Last summer I stayed in a hotel in Turkey, everything was up to date, wonderful service, tasty food and friendly staff. In general I am only for staying in a hotel, this will save your money, time and will be convenient.

At the Hotels

When travelling people almost always stay at a hotels. It is advisable, therefore, to remember the following:

1. The first thing to do is to book a room in advance either by letter, telephone or telegram. Otherwise you may arrive at the hotel and be told that there areno rooms.

2. On arrive at the hotel go to the reception desk in the lobby and confirm your reservation. The clerk will then give you a registration form to fill in and sign.In small hotels you simply sign the visitor’s book andive your permanent address.

3. At large hotels you may ask for any service by telephone. You tell the operator if you wish to be called at a certain time, you call rooms service when you want a meal or drinks sent up to your room, valet or maid service if you need something cleaned or pressed.

4. Let the hotel management know well in advance the day and time of your departure.

THE HOTEL

My car reaches the hotel where I want to stay. I get out and go to the hotel office. Here I ask if they can give me an accommodation. “Certainly”, answers the clerk, “we have got several rooms.” “Would you like a suite or a single room?” he continues.

I say that I would like a bed-room with a bathroom attached. The clerk says he can give me such a room on the third floor. I ask about the price of the room. He informs me of the price and soon everything is settled. I hand in my passport, fill in an arrival form and get the key to my room. Next I ask the hotel porter to carry my luggage to the room.

He does as requested. I look at my room. I like it very much. It is very comfortable. I can have a fine rest here. I ring for the chambermaid and inquire about the meals at the hotel restaurant. Next I obtain information about the hairdresser’s, about where I can have my boots cleaned, about where I can have my linen washed (if there is a laundry service at the hotel), etc. She answers all my questions. There is a lot of time before dinner and so I settle down quietly to rest.

Active Words and Word Combinations:

reseptionist – адміністратор

reseptions desk – «ресепшн», стійка адміністратора

to arrive – прибувати, приїжджати

to depart – виїхати з готелю

suite – номер «люкс»

chambermaid - покоївка

laundry - пральня

accommodation – приміщення, номер у готелі

to book - замовляти

in advance - заздалегіть

to confirm - підтвердити

reservation - замовлення

form - бланк

to fill in - заповнювати

to sign - підписувати

В.: Good morning. I’d like to check in.

Reception Clerk.: Do you have a reservation with us?

В.: Yes, I do. I made a reservation by phone last night.

R.C.: Your name, please?

В.: Brian Mitchell from San Francisco.

R.C.: Would you spell your name, please?

B.: M as in «Marry», I as in «Isaac», T as in «Tommy», С as in «Charley», H as in «Harry», E as in «Edward», double L as in «Lucy».

R.C.: Okay. Let me see. You have a reservation for single room. Is that correct? -

В.: Perfectly correct.

R.C.: Have you already decided how many nights to stay?

В.: At least until Wednesday. But I may stay longer than that. When should I inform you about it?

R.C.: Let us know about your decision Tuesday night.

В.: All right. What’s the price of the room? -

R.C.: 75 dollars per night. Please, fill out the registration card. Print your name and home address.

В.: Should I sign my name?

R.C.: Put your signature right here. Okay, will you pay cash or by credit card? -

В.: By credit card. Do you need it right now?

R.C.: You can give me your credit card before checking out.

В.: By the way, what’s the checking out time?

R.C.: One o’clock in the afternoon.

В.: Thank you. I have some additional questions.

R.C.: I’ll be glad to answer them.

В.: What about room service?

R.C.: Room service is available from 6 am to 10 pm. You can dial your order from the telephone in your room.

В.: Where is your restaurant? - Где находиться ресторан?

R.C.: The restaurant is on the 25th floor. We also have a coffee shop. It’s right here in the lobby.

В.: Thank you for the information.

R.C.: You are welcome. A bellboy will help you with your luggage. Your room is number 1215. Enjoy your stay.

B.: Thanks.

II.

(Speakers: Mr. Collins and the receptionist)

- Good evening. My name is Collins. I booked a room last week for myself.

- Yes, sir. What did you say the name was, sir? - Collins, C, o, double l, i, n, s. -

- Yes, here we are. We got your letter. Room 7, please. If you sign the register, I’ll ask the porter to show you the room and help you with your luggage.

- Thank you, where do I sign?

- Just here, sir - full name, home address, date and signature.

- Right, there we are.

- Thank you, sir. I hope you’ll find the room comfortable.

III.

The Kent family is on a motor tour and has just arrived at a hotel.

Mr Kent: Good evening. My name is Kent. I booked a room last week for my family and myself.

Receptionist: Yes, sir. What did you say the name was, sir?

Mr Kent: Kent. I asked for two double rooms – one for my wife and myself and one for the two childre

Receptionist: Ah yes – here we are, sir. Yes – we got your letter. Rooms 11 and 12. If you’ll sign the register, I’ll ask the porter to show you the rooms and help you with your luggage.

Mr Kent: Thank you. Where do I sign?

Receptionist: Just here, sir – full name, home address, date and signature.

Mr Kent: Right – there we are.

Receptionist: Thank you, sir. I think you’ll find the rooms comfortable. One of them has a bathroom. The other hasn’t I’m afraid, but there’s a bathroom very near – just along the corridor. There’s a radio in each room and of course if you want Room Service just use the telephone.

Mr Kent: Yes – now what about meal times? We’d like dinner of course – and breakfast in the morning before we leave.

Receptionist: Dinner is from 6.30 until 9.30. We start serving breakfast at 7.30 in the morning and you can have morning tea in your room if you wish - from 6.30 onwards.... You’ll find the dining-room just over there.

Mr Kent: Thank you very much.

IV.

Two people are at the reception desk of a hotel.

Clerk: Hi! Can I help you?

Martin: Yes, we had a reservation for this weekend.

C.:All right, what was the name, sir?

M.: Baum, Martin Baum.

C.: Baum... Baum... oh, yes, here it is. A double for two nights?

M.: Yes, that’s right. But we were wondering... would you happen to have a suite available this weekend, something with a living area and a kitchenette?

C.: Well, the only one that’s available this weekend is the executive suite, and that’ll run you $140 a night.

M.: I see. That’s pretty high...

C.: You know, sir, this double is more than twenty feet square, and it has a refrigerator. -

M.: Oh, really? That sounds fine, then. What do you say, Sally?

Sally: Sounds good to me, too.

C.: Good, the double then. Do you have a credit card, sir?

M.: No, I’ll be paying cash

C.: Then I’ll have to ask you to pay in advance. Fifty-five a night, plus $8 tax comes to $126. And would you fill out this registration form, please? Here’s a pen. Just your name, address, and the make and license number of your car.

M.: OK... here you are. And travelers checks for $130.

C.: Fine, Mr. Baum. Here’s $4 change. Check-out time is 12:00 noon. The bellman will take you up... Harvey! Room 615... If you need anything, just let me know. - M.: Thank you. Good night.

Clerk: Front desk.

Martin: Hello. This is Martin Baum. The bathroom light in my room doesn’t work. Could you have somebody come up and take a look at it, please?

C.: Oh, of course, Mr. Baum. What room number was that, please? - Конечно, мистер Баум. Какой у вас номер?

M.: Room 615.

C.: Okay, I’ll have a man up there in a minute.

M.: Fine. And another thing -I don’t seem to have a room service menu. Is there one? - C.: Yes, there is. We have 24-hour room service. I’m sorry about that. I’ll have a room service waiter bring you a menu up right away.

M.: Thanks.

C.: If you need anything else, just let me know.

M.: I will. Good night.

C.: Good night.

Понравилась статья? Добавь ее в закладку (CTRL+D) и не забудь поделиться с друзьями: