1. One of the many problems you may encounter when you first move aboard is probably dealing with utility companies in English.
○ When I first moved to the U.S., I found that it was more difficult to understand people on the phone than to speak to them in person.
- Could you please repeat that?
- Can you speak a little slower, please?
- Could you spell that for me, please?

○ When I was in college, I had a few part-time jobs. One of them was working for a translation company as an over-the-phone interpreter 電話翻譯員.
- In the U.S., you can request an interpreter翻譯員.

2. Situation 1: Calling the internet company
- I am calling because…
- my internet isn’t working.
- the reception (or signal) is poor.
- the internet is very slow.
- In Sydney, Australia, it takes up to 2 weeks before someone comes and installs the internet.
- Most likely the internet company is going to tell you to
- “switch the modem off for 10 secs and back on”
- “Is the internet light flashing or solid?”
- For security purposes 保安理由, can you please verify the last 4 digits of your ID?

3. Situation 2: Calling a handyman company
- I am calling because…
- my toilet pipe has burst 廁所渠爆了
- a pipe is leaking 渠漏水
- Can you please send someone out here?
- When’s the soonest someone (or a technician) can come?
(It would be a pressing situation 緊迫情況 if your water boiler has stopped working.)

4. Situation 3: Noise complaint
- Calling the security guards downstairs or non-emergency services

- Hi, there’s a lot of noise coming from my neighbor's flat.
- It sounds like there’s a fight going on.
- It’s past ten o’clock and I think they are playing mahjong (or singing karaoke).
- My neighbor's dog has been barking the whole night.
- Can you please have someone take a look?