EnglishPod 229 - Buying Men's Shoes
EnglishPod 229 - Buying Men's Shoes
Conversation
Mom: Hi! I am looking for a pair of shoes for my son.
Salesgirl: Sure thing! Here we are! If you're looking for dress shoes, we have several different styles of Oxfords for boys. We also carry athletic shoes, hiking boots.
Mom: Oh Jacob, how about these sneakers?
Jacob: Mom? They've got Velcro.
Mom: Well, then how about these? What is this style called?
Salesgirl: They're tennis shoes. They're very popular with teens and young adults.
Jacob: Oooo, Mom, can I get these?
Mom: What are those?
Jacob: They're Chuck Taylor's! Everyone has them! Can I, please?
Mom: I don't know. Would they go with your clothes? The backs are really high. and the way the tongue just sticks up. They're almost like a boot. And the sole doesn't look like it would have a very good grip.
Jacob: They're only forty-five dollars! And they've got cool fluorescent orange shoelaces! Mom?
Mom: Ok, try them on.
Salesgirl: What size are your feet?
Mom: He is a size nine.
Salesgirl: We'll try a size forty-three on you first and see how that fits.
Mom: A what?
Salesgirl: They come in European sizes. He should be a size forty-three. I'll be right back.
Key Vocabulary
Dress shoe: A shoe used as a component of formal wear
Tennis shoe: A canvas shoe with a pliable rubber sole
Tongue: The flap of material under the laces of a shoe
Grip: Way of grasping and holding firmly
Shoelaces: A long, thin material used for fastening a shoe
Sole: The underside of footwear
Supplementary Vocabulary
Basketball sneakers: Sneakers worn specifically to play basketball
Cross trainers: Shoes worn for running or other physical activities
Arch supports: A pad used to give the feet more support
Shoe salesmen: A person who sells shoes
Construction boots: Hard and durable boots worn for construction