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Welcome to the English we speak with Me Jain and me, Neil.

You're looking very festive today.

And what's that in that huge bag?

Well as it's Christmas I've bought you a present.

Oh Neil you shouldn't have.

I shouldn't have really. Well I've still got the receipt so I suppose I could return it.

No, no, don't do that. I love presents. I just meant it's unexpected. When we're given a gift, we can say you shouldn't have to express that it's unexpected,

not necessary, but also appreciated.

But also appreciated.

So I was being polite.

I meant you didn't need to buy me a gift, but thanks anyway.

Right, so when you say you shouldn't have you really mean you should have?

No it's just a way of saying thank you what a nice surprise.

And now I have some examples for you.

Oh you shouldn't have.

Thanks for my birthday present, but you really shouldn't have.

Flowers for me. Oh, You shouldn't have. You've been so generous with your gift. You shouldn't have.

This is the English we speak from BBC Learning English and as it's Christmas we're talking about the expression you shouldn't have.

We say it to express surprise and delight at being given a gift. And Neil has a surprise for me.

Have I?

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