You Must Follow the Rules!
Must, mustn't, have to, don't have to — and 'be allowed to' / 'be supposed to'. Leo writes Café Colibri's house rules for his growing team.
📖 Reading: Café Colibri's House Rules
Café Colibri has been open for one year. As the team grows, Leo has written a list of house rules for his staff.
"You have to arrive at least fifteen minutes before your shift starts," he says. "You don't have to wear a uniform — any smart casual clothes are fine."
"What about phones?" asks Ana.
"You mustn't use personal phones during your shift, unless it's an emergency. You have to keep them in your locker."
"What about breaks?"
"You're allowed to take a fifteen-minute break every three hours. You don't have to take it, but you should."
"Can we eat the food?"
"You're supposed to ask first," says Leo. "But honestly — you must try everything. How can you recommend food you've never tasted?"
Ana laughs. "And what about customers? What must we always do?"
"You must always greet every customer within thirty seconds. You must always say 'please' and 'thank you'. And you must never make a customer feel ignored."
"Those sound like life rules, not just café rules," says Maya, who is listening.
"They are," says Leo seriously. "Good manners cost nothing."
🔑 Vocabulary Box
Eight key words and phrases from this lesson.
| Word | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|
| shift | A scheduled period of work | n. — You must arrive before your shift. |
| locker | A small locked cupboard for personal items | n. — Keep your phone in your locker. |
| smart casual | A dress code between formal and informal | phrase — Any smart casual clothes are fine. |
| greet | To say hello or welcome someone | v. — You must greet every customer. |
| manners | Polite social behaviour | n. — Good manners cost nothing. |
| obligation | Something you must do | n. — 'Have to' expresses external obligation. |
| emergency | A serious or dangerous situation needing immediate action | n. — You can use your phone in an emergency. |
| recommend | To suggest something as good or suitable | v. — How can you recommend food you've never tasted? |
📚 Key Verbs in This Lesson | |
must / mustn't | You must greet every customer. / You mustn't use your phone. |
have to / don't have to | You have to arrive early. / You don't have to wear a uniform. |
be allowed to | You're allowed to take a break every 3 hours. |
be supposed to | You're supposed to ask before eating the food. |
📚 Grammar Focus
📚 Must vs. Have To | |
must (internal obligation) | I must call my mother — I haven't spoken to her all week. |
have to (external rule) | I have to arrive 15 minutes early. (it's the rule) |
In practice | Both often mean the same. Must is slightly stronger/more personal. |
Mustn't vs. Don't Have To
📚 Mustn't vs. Don't Have To | |
mustn't = forbidden | You mustn't use your phone during the shift. (not allowed) |
don't have to = not necessary | You don't have to wear a uniform. (but you can if you want) |
Key difference | Mustn't = DO NOT do this. Don't have to = it's optional. |
Be Allowed To / Be Supposed To
📚 Be Allowed To / Be Supposed To | |
be allowed to | You're allowed to take a 15-minute break. |
not be allowed to | You're not allowed to use your phone on shift. |
be supposed to | You're supposed to ask before eating. (= that's the expectation) |
🎭 Dialogue: What Are the Rules Here?
Ana asks Leo about the café's day-to-day rules: machines, order-writing, free samples, and the one rule that truly matters.
Leo, do I have to use a specific coffee machine?
Yes, you have to use the La Marzocca — it's the best one for espresso.
And must I write down every order, or can I remember them?
You don't have to write them all down, but for large tables you should.
Am I allowed to offer free samples to customers?
Yes! You're supposed to offer a taster when we have a new blend.
And what must I never do?
Never make a customer feel invisible. That's the only rule that truly matters.
Practice Exercises
3 questionsNew exercises to reinforce what you learned. Different from the lesson material.
Do staff have to wear a uniform at Café Colibri?
When are staff allowed to use their personal phones?
How often are staff allowed to take a break?
Practice Exercises
3 questionsNew exercises to reinforce what you learned. Different from the lesson material.
In many countries, you ___ wear a seatbelt in a car. (it's the law)
You ___ smoke inside the café. (it's forbidden)
You ___ come to the optional staff party. (it's optional)
🎭 Now It's Your Turn — Role Play
Practice with a partner. Use the dialogue as a model.
- Student A: You're a new employee at a company. Ask about 5 workplace rules.
- Student B: You're the manager. Explain the rules using must, mustn't, have to, don't have to, and be allowed to.
- Then swap: Student A is a school principal, Student B is a new student asking about school rules.