Business Small Talk in a Taxi: English Conversation Script for Intermediate Level

The Key Expressions and Words

• Jump in: A casual phrase meaning to get into a vehicle, often used informally by drivers or passengers.

• Off to: A casual phrase meaning going to or heading toward a specific destination or activity.

• Not too shabby: A casual way of saying "not bad" or "quite good."

• Crops up: A phrasal verb meaning something unexpected occurs or happens.

• Give myself plenty of time: To allow extra time to avoid rushing.

• Better safe than sorry: An idiom meaning it’s wiser to take precautions to avoid potential regrets.

• Can’t complain: A casual way of saying "I’m fine" or "things are going well."

• All hands on deck: An idiom meaning everyone must work together for a task.

• Sounds intense: A casual way to describe something as demanding or requiring a lot of focus and energy.

• Thrive on: To enjoy or be energised by a challenging situation.

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Henry:

Morning! Are you available?

Driver:

Good morning! Jump in. Where are you off to?

Henry:

Thanks. Canary Wharf, please. How’s the traffic looking this morning?

Driver:

Not too shabby at the moment. Should take about 25 minutes unless something crops up.

Henry:

Sounds good. I’ve got a meeting at 9, so I thought I’d give myself plenty of time.

Driver:

Sensible move. Better safe than sorry, especially in London. What line of work are you in, if you don’t mind me asking?

Henry:

Not at all. I’m in finance—investment management, to be specific. Canary Wharf’s practically my second home these days.

Driver:

I’ll bet it is. It’s always buzzing down there. Must be a demanding job.

Henry:

It keeps me busy, that’s for sure. Every day brings something new, but I can’t complain—it’s rewarding.

Driver:

That’s the main thing, isn’t it? So, what’s on the agenda today?

Henry:

Meetings, as usual. We’re pitching to a big client this afternoon, so it’s all hands on deck this morning.

Driver:

Sounds intense. Do you enjoy that kind of high-pressure environment?

Henry:

I do, actually. It’s fast-paced, but I thrive on it. How about you? Must be interesting meeting so many different people.

Driver:

Absolutely. No two days are the same in this job. Some fares are quiet, others chatty. Keeps it interesting.

Henry:

I can imagine. Do you get to know regular passengers?

Driver:

Sometimes, yeah. You start to recognise a few faces, especially with people heading to offices or airports.

Henry:

That must be nice—getting to know the city’s rhythm through its people.

Driver:

Definitely. Right, we’re coming up to Canary Wharf now. Just a couple more minutes.

Henry:

Perfect timing. Thanks for the smooth ride. How much do I owe you?

Driver:

That’ll be £18.

Henry:

Great. I’ll pay by card.

Driver:

Cheers, mate. Hope your pitch goes well today!