Which of the following subjects could it not be a
good idea to talk about when you meet business people for the first time?
The weather
Sex
Politics
Sports
Food and drink
Travel
News
Religion
Family
Your country/city
Death
Hobbies
Work
Can you think of any more topics that could be discussed?
What would you say in the following situations?
1. You don’t hear someone’s name
when you are introduced to them. 2. You refuse an invitation to go to a night club after a
business dinner. 3. You are offered food that you hate. 4. You are introduced to someone at a conference. 5. You want to end a conversation politely. 6. You see someone you have met before, but you cannot remember
their name. 7. You have to introduce two business colleagues to each other. 8. You arrive late at an important business meeting.
Listen to the following dialogues and decide which situation from the
previous exercise (1-8) they refer to.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Listen again and read the transcriptions. Repeat the expressions and practise
intonation.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
a)
- I had no idea your company deals in fresh salmon. How interesting! - Yes….anyway I must be off now. Please excuse me. I’m expecting a
phone call.
- Yes. of course. I’ll see you at dinner.
b) - That looks wonderful, but I’m completely full and I couldn’t eat
another thing.
- Oh but you must try this, it’s a speciality. - I’d love to, but I really couldn’t. Thank you anyway.
c) - I’m sorry I didn’t catch your name.
- Jerry Hargrieves. I’m here with British Gas. - Nice to meet you Jerry.
d) - I’m terribly sorry. There was an accident on the motorway and a
huge traffic jam. Please accept my apologies.
- That’s okay Kevin, we got your message. Please, take a seat. - Thank you.
e) – Excuse me, but your face is very familiar. Have we met before?
- Yes, I think it was at the Barcelona conference last March. - That’s right! Sorry, I can’t remember your name.
- It’s Peter. Peter Dawson. - Julie Rice. Nice to meet you again Peter.
Match the following expressions with their meaning. Follow the example.
It's
on me
Cheers!
Make yourself at home
What's yours?
Be my
guest
Help
yourself
Congratulations!
Same
again?
Match the questions with the answers. Follow the example.
Which of the following subjects could it not be a
good idea to talk about when you meet business people for the first time?
It's
on me
