Food & drinkAdvanced
Complaining about slow service in English (advanced)
Advanced English for complaining about slow service. Key line: “Hi, sorry to flag this, but could you check on our food? We've been waiting quite a while.”
Full script
Lin
Hi, sorry to flag this, but could you check on our food? We've been waiting quite a while.
Them
Oh no, I'm really sorry—let me check what happened in the kitchen.
Lin
Thanks, we'd just love a quick update; our appetizer feels emotionally distant now.
Them
Fair point. Your order got held up, but it's being plated right now.
Lin
I appreciate it—could you also nudge the drinks along? Even the ice gave up.
Them
Absolutely. I'll bring those first, and I'll waive the service charge today.
Lin
That's kind, thank you. We were starting to think dinner had become a mystery series.
Them
I get it—and good news, the mystery's solved: your food is right behind me.
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
raise it
✓ Sorry to flag this, but...Polite way to start
Soft and natural
quite a while
✓ We've been waiting quite a while.Says the wait is long
Stronger than just a while
drinks too
✓ Could you also nudge the drinks along?Ask to hurry drinks
Casual way to say hurry
waive
✓ I'll waive the service charge today.Staff removes the fee
waive + fee/charge
Quick answers
raise it: what to say in English
Say “Sorry to flag this, but...” — polite way to start. Soft and natural.
quite a while: what to say in English
Say “We've been waiting quite a while.” — says the wait is long. Stronger than just a while.
drinks too: what to say in English
Say “Could you also nudge the drinks along?” — ask to hurry drinks. Casual way to say hurry.
waive: what to say in English
Say “I'll waive the service charge today.” — staff removes the fee. waive + fee/charge.