U2 | L2 Interactive Resource

As they walked through Plaza Botero, admiring the impressive sculptures, they were approached by a friendly local vendor selling handcrafted souvenirs.

The man enthusiastically showed them a collection of leather bracelets and decorative keychains, encouraging them to take a look.

At first, Maria was interested. She wanted to buy something to remember their trip, but she wasn’t sure which item to choose. Meanwhile, Tom wasn’t planning to buy anything and needed a way to refuse politely without offending the vendor.

When expressing interest in a product or service, it’s important to show enthusiasm while maintaining control over the conversation. Maria used a formal but non-committal approach:

• These are beautiful! I’d love to take a closer look. (Interest without immediate commitment)
• I might be interested, but could you tell me more about the materials? (Conditioned willingness)
• I’d consider buying one if the price is right. (Willingness with negotiation in mind)

By responding this way, Maria kept the conversation open without feeling pressured into making an immediate purchase.

Tom, on the other hand, knew he didn’t want to buy anything. Instead of saying a blunt “No, I don’t want anything”, he opted for softer refusals:

• These are really nice, but I’m not looking to buy anything today. (Refusal with appreciation)
• I appreciate you showing me these, but I’ll have to pass this time. (Polite but firm refusal)
• Not this time, but thank you anyway! (Casual and friendly refusal)

This approach allowed Tom to decline the offer without making the vendor feel ignored or dismissed.

Refusing an offer—whether from a vendor, a host, or a friend—can sometimes feel awkward. However, using softening sentences can make the interaction more comfortable:

• I’d love to, but I’m afraid I can’t right now.
• That sounds like a great idea, but I don’t think I can make it.
• I wish I could, but I have other plans.

When declining an invitation or request, adding a reason can also help making the refusal sound more natural:

• I’d love to join you for dinner, but I already have plans tonight.
• I appreciate the invitation, but I’m trying to save money during this trip.

Maria and Tom noticed that context matters when expressing willingness or refusal. While it’s perfectly fine to be direct in a market negotiation, it’s important to be more tactful when dealing with friends, colleagues, or invitations to social events.

During their travels, Maria and Tom observed that in many Latin American countries, people tended to avoid direct refusals. Instead of saying “No, I can’t”, they often heard responses like:

• I’ll see if I can make it.
• Let me think about it.
• Maybe next time!

This indirect approach helps to maintain social harmony, which is valued in many cultures. However, in other countries, such as Germany or the Netherlands, direct communication is more common, and saying “No, I’m not interested” is perfectly acceptable.

Later that day, Maria and Tom discussed how much they had learned about polite refusals and negotiations. They realized that these skills would continue to develop over time.

• By the end of this trip, we will have been practicing different ways to say no without sounding rude.
• If we keep traveling, we will have been learning how different cultures handle social interactions.

This tense helped them express the ongoing nature of their learning experience, reinforcing the idea that communication skills improve with time and practice.