Simple problems, easy fixes?

On the next six pages, we present extracts with key phrases and expressions you can use to discuss and solve problems.

1. A coffee fix

Jade: Unbelievable! This is supposed to be a trendy cafe, but there’s no almond milk.

Tracy: Are you serious? You must be devastated.

Jade: OK, I sense the sarcasm. I know it sounds like the ultimate first-world problem, but I’m lactose intolerant.

Tracy: Could you order a double espresso?

Jade: I did.

Tracy: And... problem solved. almond , Mandel; hier: Erdmandel devastated: be ~ , am Boden zerstört sein

2. Trouble at the office

Tracy: How are things going? Jade: Not great, actually. I’m glad to be out of the office this week. I’ve run into trouble with my boss.

Tracy: You usually get on so well.

What’s wrong?

Jade: The problem is I missed an important email last week. The customer requested an important change to the final document and I didn’t implement it.

Tracy: How could that happen? Jade: I get so many emails. Even emails to confirm other emails — and emails to confirm those emails! It’s no wonder I missed the most important one last week.

implement sth. , etw. umsetzen

3. Troubleshooting together

Tracy: What’s the worst thing about the situation?

Jade: It’s a real nuisance when people don’t reply to everything in an email. I send a follow-up — they do, too. Clogging my inbox.

Tracy: Why is this happening now? What are the underlying causes?

Jade: Maybe my projects are getting more complex — so my emails are, too.

Tracy: I have a suggestion. Could you simplify your emails? You might think it’s more efficient to send one email, but often it’s not. If you ask for seven things, some people only reply to the last thing. Ask for no more than three.

Jade: In theory, OK. But I’ll send out more individual messages. So I’ll get more replies. It’s a vicious circle — a catch-22 situation.

Tracy: Why don’t you try it for a month? What have you got to lose?

cause , Grund, Ursache clog sth. , etw. verstopfen follow-up , Folgeunderlying , zugrundeliegend

4. Personal issues?

Jade: So, what are you dealing with right now?

Tracy: My biggest challenge right now is personal. My cleaning lady has moved away and I can’t find a replacement. The house is a mess! Jade: To be honest, I have the same issue. So, I’m not the only one with first-world problems!