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….