During a crowded journey by public transport, someone ~ accidentally, no doubt ~ is treading on your toes. (We use this phrase metaphorically, too; but in this instance, it's physically for real, and painful!) What do you say?

While cycling in the local countryside you recognise a friend, who is looking after a roadside stall (selling fruit or flowers, perhaps) to occasional passing motorists. He needs to nip away for a few minutes on some errand of his own, and wonders whether you would 'keep an eye' on the stall for him. How might he ask you if you are comfortable to do this?

You take some British friends to hear a session of live folk music performed by a group from your own country that is touring in Britain. After the performance you are keen to hear what they thought of it, and someone says: 'Interesting music, yes ... It does take a bit of getting used to.' What did your British friend probably mean by this?

Another friend comes round to where you are staying, bringing with her a fairly precious book that you lent her some while ago. As you open the door to her, it is clear she has come through the rain, and you are worried about the book; taking out a plastic carrier from her bag, she says, 'I brought you your book back, but I'm afraid it may have got a bit damp.' Without showing your feelings, how bad a state do you fear the book may be in?

You are at a party in quite a large private house; standing in the hall, making conversation with various reasonably pleasant strangers while you wait your turn to use the downstairs washroom. Someone you know comes out of the washroom and past you, down the hall, and says quietly: 'There's rather a smell in there; you may prefer to try your chances upstairs.' What are they hinting at?

'Would you like to come with us for the weekend ~ to my brother's, and his wife? They've got a place by the beach.' You accept this kind onward invitation, and find yourself being driven along a broad but exclusive seaside avenue. Your friend says, 'He did quite well in the City a few years ago, of course.' What are you supposed to make of this?

You are staying with a family and quite suddenly, one evening over supper, an awkward situation develops (not directly involving you). You feel there is no point in your being present while they have their discussion / argument; but equally, you can't quite just walk quietly out of the room. What do you say?

(For the purposes of this Question, let us assume that your country of origin happens to be somewhere with a tradition of highly-flavoured cooking ~ such as the 'rice-and-spice' region of SE Asia, or somewhere with other strong flavours such as pickles, garlic or smoked fish.) A British host asks your opinion of a meal which you, personally, found very bland both in flavour and texture ~ but it would be impolite to say so too honestly. What might you best say instead?

'Sorry to be so late: there was a spot of bother along the bypass.' What has probably happened?

You pay a return visit to a local sports club (cricket, perhaps) where you met some fellow-sportspeople a year or two ago. One person you had been hoping to see is not there, but a mutual friend tells you: 'Oh no, Jack's not been playing this season; he's not been very well lately.' How serious an illness do you believe this is supposed to mean?