La cena equivocada
The Dinner Mix-Up
1 · Spanish Story
La historia
Marta y Diego llegan a un restaurante pequeño a las siete. EstĂĄn cansados despuĂ©s del trabajo. Marta mira el celular y ve la reserva. âQuĂ© penaâ, dice ella. âLa reservĂ© para las ocho.â Diego sonrĂe. âEntonces esperamos un poco.â Entran y saludan al recepcionista.
La recepcionista revisa la lista y encuentra la reserva. EstĂĄ a nombre de ustedes. Les ofrece una mesa junto a la ventana. Ellos se sientan y dejan las mochilas. La mesa estĂĄ limpia y tranquila. Todo empieza bien.
DespuĂ©s piden sopa, arroz y pollo. El mesero anota todo en una libreta. Vuelve enseguida con dos vasos de agua. Luego deja un plato de pescado frente a Diego. Marta lo mira y abre los ojos. âEse plato no es tu polloâ, dice ella. Diego llama al mesero.
El mesero vuelve con la bandeja. âQuĂ© penaâ, dice. Revisa la nota y ve el error. âSe lo cambio ahora mismo.â Marta espera tranquila. Diego sonrĂe y guarda el celular.
Regresa con el plato correcto. âCon mucho gustoâ, dice. TambiĂ©n trae mĂĄs agua y servilletas. Los dos comen con calma. Al final piden la cuenta. Salen contentos del restaurante.
2 · Key Phrases
Language to keep
qué pena
sorryThis phrase is a polite apology or a way to show embarrassment.
Usage: This phrase is a very common polite apology in Colombia. It can also show embarrassment.
Qué pena, llegué un poco tarde.
Sorry, I arrived a little late.
a nombre de ustedes
under your nameIt is used when a reservation, table, or order is registered with your name.
La mesa estĂĄ a nombre de ustedes.
The table is under your name.
enseguida
right awayThis word means something happens immediately or very soon.
Vuelvo enseguida con el pedido.
I will be right back with the order.
con mucho gusto
with pleasureIt is a polite answer when you agree to help or serve someone.
Usage: Formal; suitable for polite or professional situations.
Con mucho gusto le traigo mĂĄs agua.
I'd be happy to bring you more water.
se lo cambio
I'll change it for youA service worker uses this to offer a replacement.
Usage: Formal; suitable for polite or professional situations.
Se lo cambio ahora mismo.
I'll change it for you now.
3 · English Translation
The full story in English
Marta and Diego arrive at a small restaurant at seven. They are tired after work. Marta looks at the cellphone and sees the reservation. âSorry,â she says. âI booked it for eight.â Diego smiles. âThen we wait a little.â They enter and greet the receptionist.
The receptionist checks the list and finds the reservation. It is under your name. She offers them a table by the window. They sit and leave the backpacks. The table is clean and quiet. Everything starts well.
Then they order soup, rice and chicken. The waiter writes everything in a notebook. He comes back right away with two glasses of water. Then he sets down a fish plate in front of Diego. Marta looks at it and opens her eyes. âThat plate is not your chicken,â she says. Diego calls the waiter.
The waiter returns with the tray. âSorry,â he says. He checks the note and sees the mistake. âI'll change it for you right now.â Marta waits calmly. Diego smiles and puts away the cellphone.
He comes back with the correct plate. âWith pleasure,â he says. He also brings more water and napkins. They both eat calmly. At the end they ask for the bill. They leave the restaurant happy.