Chapter I · Social interactionsA2
20Dialogue · A2
Light conversation in a waiting room
Situation
You're waiting your turn in a quiet waiting room. The person sitting next to you looks up from their phone and starts a conversation to pass the time.
The roles
- The person sitting next to youListen
Mon doux, on dirait que ça prend toujours plus de temps que prévu, ces affaires-là.
My goodness, these things always seem to take longer than expected.
- YouListen
Oui, c'est vrai. J'ai mon rendez-vous à neuf heures, et il est déjà passé.
Yes, it's true. My appointment was at nine, and it's already past.
- The person sitting next to youListen
Moi aussi. Bon, au moins il fait chaud, et il y a des magazines.
Same for me. Well, at least it's warm, and there are magazines.
- YouListen
Ha ha, oui. Mais ils sont assez vieux, on dirait.
Ha ha, yes. But they look pretty old.
- The person sitting next to youListen
C'est toujours pareil, hein ? On voit toujours les mêmes depuis un an.
It's always the same, eh? You see the same ones for a year.
- YouListen
Au moins, ça occupe. Sinon, on regarde le plafond.
At least it keeps you busy. Otherwise, you just stare at the ceiling.
- The person sitting next to youListen
C'est ça. Vous habitez dans le coin ?
Exactly. Do you live around here?
- YouListen
Pas très loin, à environ vingt minutes à pied. Et vous ?
Not too far, about twenty minutes on foot. And you?
- The person sitting next to youListen
Je viens en autobus, de l'autre bout de la ville. Mais c'est pratique, il y a un arrêt juste devant.
I come by bus, from the other side of town. But it's convenient — there's a stop right out front.
Simplifiez votre vie au Québec · Simplify your life in Quebec
Light conversation in a waiting roomDialogue 20
- YouListen
Ah, c'est bien. Moi, j'aime mieux marcher quand il fait beau.
Oh, that's good. Personally, I prefer to walk when the weather's nice.
- The person sitting next to youListen
C'est sûr, surtout dans un beau printemps comme cette année. Ça change de l'hiver.
For sure, especially in a nice spring like this year's. It's a change from winter.
- YouListen
Vraiment. J'avais hâte de ranger les bottes et les manteaux d'hiver.
Really. I couldn't wait to put away the boots and winter coats.
- The person sitting next to youListen
Ha ha, on est deux ! Bon, ils viennent d'appeler quelqu'un. Ça avance.
Ha ha, we're two of a kind! Oh, they just called someone. Things are moving.
- YouListen
Tant mieux. Bon, je vais juste regarder mon téléphone une minute.
All the better. Well, I'll just look at my phone for a minute.
- The person sitting next to youListen
Pas de souci. Ça m'a fait plaisir de placoter un peu.
No worries. It was nice to chat a bit.
- YouListen
Moi aussi. Bonne journée, et bon courage avec votre rendez-vous !
Same here. Have a good day, and good luck with your appointment!
- The person sitting next to youListen
Merci, vous aussi !
Thanks, you too!
Vocabulary
- une salle d'attentea waiting room
- un rendez-vousan appointment
- dans le coinaround here / in the area
- à piedon foot / walking
- j'aime mieuxI prefer / I'd rather— Very common Quebec phrasing — slightly more informal than « je préfère ».
- avoir hâte deto look forward to / to be eager to
- ça avancethings are moving / making progress
- placoterto have a little chat— Quebec word — friendlier and lighter than « jaser », closer to « to natter ».
- bon couragegood luck / hang in there
Culture note
In a Quebec waiting room, a short conversation between strangers is completely normal — especially on neutral topics: the weather, the wait, the neighbourhood. However, you generally avoid asking personal questions about the reason for the appointment. Pulling out your phone to politely signal that you'd like to stop talking is also perfectly accepted.
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