Ansver the following questions

• Had you heard anything about the VAT scheme in Great Britain before you read this text?

• On what goods can foreign visitors have VAT reclaimed when then leave Great Britain?

• What should they practically do to have VAT reclaimed?

• Do you find this procedure very complicated?

• Is a similar scheme practised in Russia, as rar as you know?

ü complicated — сложный

Unit thirty one

Shopping

Text

In England most shops open from 9 a. m. to 5.30 p. m. on Mon­day to Saturday, although some stay open much later especially in London and other large cities. In small towns and villages many shops close early on Wednesdays. Not many shops are open on Sundays.

Besides cash, a lot of shops accept plastic cards. Some may also accept Eurocheques.

One day one of the participants went to Foyle's, a famous book­shop in the centre of London.

Here is his talk with the shop assistant after he chose a few things he wanted to buy:

Participant: Can I have this book and this poster, please⁹ And these postcards and two first class stamps for America.

Shop assistant: The book, the poster and the cards come to ten pounds twenty. But we don't sell stamps.

Participant: And where can I buy a few?

Shop assistant: You have to get them from a post office

Participant: And where is the nearest one?

Shop assistant: Just round the corner.

Participant: Thank you.

Shop assistant: Welcome.

Here is another talk at a clothes department of a big department store, after the participant chose a certain dress she liked:

Participant: Excuse me, may I try it on anywhere here? Shop as­sistant: Yes, certainly. The fitting room is over there.

Participant:... Thank you. It fits me well and I like it. Where shall I pay?

Shop assistant: The cashier's desk is just at the end of the aisle...

Cashier: Cash or credit?

Participant: Cash, please... Thank you.

Here is a talk at a shoe shop:

Participant: Excuse me, have you got size thirty seven in these shoes?

Shop keeper: This is a continental size. It must correspond to British size five. Just a minute I'll have a look if we have size five in these shoes.

Shop assistant: Can I help you?

Participant: Thank you. Being served.

Shop keeper: Here is your size... How does that feel?

Participant: A bit tight. Can I try the next size up?

Shop keeper: Here is five and a half.

Participant: Oh, this is much better. Thank you. I'm buying this pair.