192.- Don’t mind me. Profesor

 

 

 

 

Don’t mind me

Summary

Neil’s got things to do while he presents this programme but because he doesn’t want Jiaying to be distracted, he has a phrase to use – and we’re here to explain what it is and how to use it.

Transcript

Jiaying
Hello. Welcome to The English We Speak, with me Jiaying…

Neil
… and me… Neil…

Jiaying
Neil, what are you doing?

Neil
Oh, don’t mind me – I’m just doing some useful chores while I’m in the studio.

Jiaying
Neil, I do mind.

Neil
Well, don’t mind – just ignore me – that’s what I mean.

Jiaying
That’s not easy – but I get it. When someone says, ‘don’t mind me’, they mean ‘ignore me’, ‘don’t let me interrupt you’. So, you don’t want to interrupt me – but it’s very distracting.

Neil
Sorry. I’ll just finish them off while we hear some more examples of ‘don’t mind me’…

Examples

Sorry, don’t mind me – I’ve just come back to get the books I left on the table.

Please don’t mind me – I’ve got to eat this sandwich during the meeting because I haven’t had time for lunch.

I’ve just got to fix this light, so don’t mind me.

Jiaying
You’re listening to The English We Speak from BBC Learning English. Today, we’re hearing about the phrase ‘don’t mind me’, which people say to mean ‘please continue, don’t let me interrupt you.’ But, unfortunately, Neil, clipping your fingernails has interrupted me. I can’t concentrate.

Neil
Well, I’ve finished now. But… don’t mind me if I start on my toenails now – I just need to remove my socks.

Jiaying
Oh no! Neil, don’t mind me if I go now – this is too much!

Neil
Where are you going?

Jiaying
To get some fresh air – and a cup of coffee, just for me.

Neil
Oh, don’t mind me – I’m only your co-presenter and lifelong friend!

Jiaying
Bye, Neil.

Neil
Bye – now back to my toenails….