All Ears English Podcast Summary

Episode: Shocked by the Price? How to Cancel Your Order in English
Hosts: Lindsay McMahon & Michelle Kaplan
Date: December 5, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives into real-life situations where you might feel “shocked by the price” of something you’re about to buy — and how to graciously and naturally cancel an order in American English. Lindsay and Michelle focus on practical expressions, tone, and etiquette for English learners, especially when dealing with counter-service purchases (coffee shops, food trucks, boutiques). The episode emphasizes communication that prioritizes kindness and connection — not confrontation or rudeness — even when walking away from a purchase. Role plays and fun anecdotes help illustrate these everyday interactions.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Personal Story: The $12 Coffee Shock (02:32–04:57)

• Michelle recalls walking away from a $12 iced coffee at a food stand in Florida.
  • “I went up to the stand and I ordered my coffee and then they said, 'Oh, that's going to be $12.' And I was like, 'Oh, never mind.'” (03:14, Michelle)
• The hosts reflect on how inflation and high prices bring up awkward everyday choices.
  • “There's a line that you cross ... there's one where, okay, that's expensive, but fine. And then there's the 'no way, goodbye.'” (03:22, Michelle)

Defining the “Walk Away Point” (03:47–05:18)

• People have a breaking point with prices; it’s natural to say no and walk away if it feels unreasonable.
• Discussion about making a “point” when refusing to buy overpriced items and how collective consumer behavior affects prices.

Where and When Can You Cancel? (05:33–06:07)

• Situations discussed:
  • Counter service: coffee shops, food trucks, takeout — Canceling is acceptable here before the item is made.
  • Not appropriate at sit-down restaurants after eating: “If you’ve already eaten the food, that’s too late.” (06:04, Michelle)

Essential Phrases for Canceling Orders (06:57–11:30)

• Polite Phrases:
  • “I'm sorry, that's more than I wanted to spend. Can you cancel that order?” (07:12)
  • “Can you take that off?” (for removing one item from a larger order)
  • “Actually, can you take off the [item]?” (07:52)
  • “I think I’m going to cancel that.” (09:10)
  • “Oh, that’s okay. Never mind.” (16:51)
• Nuance:
  • “Take it off” = remove one item
  • “Cancel the order” = cancel everything
  • These phrases work in contexts where the item hasn't been prepared or paid for yet.

Emotional Aspects and Etiquette (10:20–11:30)

• Importance of kindness:
  • “I think the key principle here is as long as we are kind ... we don’t wait too long to do it.” (10:20, Michelle)
  • “You’re not going to want to do this after ... the product is created or delivered to you.” (10:36, Michelle)
  • “Try not to sound annoyed. ... Remember that the person ... most likely wasn’t the one making the decision.” (11:22, Michelle)

Tone Matters: The Risks of “Just Forget It” (15:50–17:21)

• “Just forget it” can be interpreted as rude or irritated, depending on tone.
  • Example role play of rude vs. gentle delivery:
    • “Oh, just forget it.” (16:05, abrupt vs. 16:13, gentle)
  • “You got to be real careful with this one because it sounds dismissive, right?” (16:19, Michelle)
• Prefer softer, friendlier options for canceling to avoid sounding irritated.

Role Plays: Practicing the Phrases (17:28–19:46)

• Removing a clothing item at checkout:
  • “Oh, no, I’m sorry. That’s actually more than I wanted to spend. Can you remove that?” (17:50, Lindsay as customer)
• Canceling overpriced coffee:
  • “Oh, $12. I’m sorry. That’s actually more than I wanted to spend. Can we cancel that?” (19:06, Michelle)
• Grocery store scenario:
  • “How much was the princess toy? ... I think I’m gonna cancel that. Sorry.” (19:34–19:40, Michelle)

Cultural Notes: “Big Box Store” Explained (19:47–20:57)

• “Big box stores” are large, box-shaped retail stores (Costco, Walmart, Target) usually outside of city centers.
  • “Why do we call it a big box store? ... [It’s] a large physically boxed ... retail building ... that sells a wide variety of goods.” (20:23–20:39)

Broader Takeaway (21:45–22:35)

• Keeping interactions kind and positive protects both your mood and the employee’s.
  • “There’s a temptation towards self righteousness ... but that never works out well. That doesn’t put good karma into the universe and you don’t feel good about yourself afterwards.” (21:45, Michelle)
  • “For our takeaway today ... keep the connection, be friendly. Just say, ‘Oh, can you cancel that?’” (22:15, Michelle)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It was just a plain coffee. … I don’t put fancy stuff. … It wasn’t like a very fancy coffee.” (04:54, Michelle)
• “I think the key principle here is as long as we are kind … we’re looking for that human connection with the person in front of us and we don’t wait too long to do it.” (10:20, Michelle)
• “There’s a temptation towards self righteousness ... but that never works out well. That doesn’t put good karma into the universe.” (21:45, Michelle)
• “[Big box store is] a large physically boxed … retail building, usually part of a national chain that sells a wide variety of goods.” (20:25, reading definition)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:32 – Michelle’s $12 coffee story
• 05:33 – Where you can or cannot use these cancellation strategies
• 06:57 – Useful English phrases for canceling an order
• 10:20 – The importance of kindness and timing
• 15:50 – Tone pitfalls: “Just forget it”
• 17:28 – Role play examples
• 19:47 – Explaining “big box store”
• 21:45 – Final takeaways on etiquette and communication

Language and Tone

• The hosts’ style remains conversational, empathetic, and practical. Their humor and personal anecdotes create a light, supportive environment tailored for intermediate and advanced English learners.
• Emphasis is on “connection not perfection,” encouraging listeners to focus on being kind, authentic, and clear when using English—even in potentially awkward situations.

In Short:
This episode arms English learners with natural, polite phrases and cultural context to confidently and kindly cancel an order when surprised by high prices, while reinforcing the All Ears English principle of prioritizing human connection over linguistic perfection.