Write these sentences, putting the verbs in brackets into the present simple or the future simple.

1 If the train's late, we (walk).

if the train's late, well walk.

2 She (call) you if she (have) time.

She'll call you If she has time.

3 If it costs too much, I (buy) a smaller one.

4 If the doctor can't see me, I (go) somewhere else.

5 If the class (be) full, we (find) another one.

6 What will we do if the taxi (not come)?

7 Will you phone me if there (be) any problems?

8 T (ask) Peter if I (see) him tomorrow.

9 I (go) next week, if 1 (can) get a train ticket.

10 Tf T (have) to, I (complain) to the manager.

11 If he (see) me here, he (be) really angry.

12 Mary (be) worried if you don't come to the airport.

13 If it (snow) this winter, we (go) skiing.

14 I (lend) them some money if they (ask) me.

15 If you (visit) Oxford, you (see) some interesting old buildings.

 

The Sales Manager of the company is always very optimistic and expresses the conditions below as if they were all real possibilities. Follow this example.

Condition I make Harris a good offer e. g. IfI makeHarris a good offer   1. We get the contract 2. We spend the money on capital investment. 3. We beat our competitors now. 4. We increase spending on advertising. 6. We increase sales. 7. We reduce costs. 8. We introduce an up-to-date product. 9. We prolong the contract. 10. We delay.

Result He gives us the contract he willgive us the contract   It gives us money to spend on advertising. It provides strength against inflation. Our figures rocket next year. We increase sales. We make a profit. We are in stronger position. We become more competitive. We have profit in hand. We are too late.

 

The Finance Manager of the company is on the contrary a very cautious person and expresses the conditions with some doubt. Now follow this example.

Condition We get the contract e. g. If we gotthe contract 1. We spend the money on advertising. 2. We don t increase our market share now. 3.We increase our market share now. 4. Our figures rocket, next year. 5. Our sales don't increase difficulties. 6. We delay. 7. We get a new manager. 8. We increase our spending. 9. We increase the order. 10. The manager is in.

Result We have difficulties in fulfilling it we would havedifficulties in fulfilling it. We lose it. We go into a decline. We still need to invest. I am able to retire. We are in serious financial We don't get the contract. He opens new subsidiaries. We are in some difficulties. They reduce the price. He can clear up all the questions.

 

Two managers are discussing whether or not to invest in more capital equipment. One is in favour of the idea, the other is against. Study their reasons and produce their arguments.

e. g.If we bought more equipment, we would produce more goods.

In favour:

more equipment —> more goods —> lower price —> more profit

Against:

more equipment —> bigger premises —> higher costs

 

The Sales Manager of a company producing motor cars is writing a report to the Managing Director explaining the reasons why the first half of the year has been unhappy.

e. g. We would have sold 3.000 cars if we hadn't had a strike.

January — strike

February — shortage of raw materials March — price rise

April — inceased competition from Japan Go on and give 5 more reasons.

5. Complete the sentences using the required form of the verbs in brackets:

1. If I (get) an order there, it (open up) a new market for us.

2. If Newtech (not give) us the letter of guarantee, it (be) harder to do business with them.

3. If the goods (load) quickly, we (receive) them by now.

4. He (leave) Moscow tonight if he (get) the necessary documents.

5. If you (can extend) the guarantee period, we (place) an order with you.

6. If you (increase) the numbers of trucks bought from us, we (reduce) the price by 5 per cent.

7. We (send) you our contract, if you (agree) to these terms and conditions.

8. If your offer (receive) last week, we (accept) it.

9. If they (admit) this fact, their whole case for the campaing (collapse).

10. If judgment (be not given) according to the rules, we never know what its legal consequences (be).

 

Group Discussion

a) Generalizations about nationalities and national characters are usually not welcomed, even when they are basically accurate. There are many difficulties with summarizing American or British ways of life and attitudes. Whereas, for example, Italians or Germans form a largely homogeneous society: white, Christian, speaking one language, Americans do not — they are not 'normally' white, most of them are Christians, but America cannot be called 'a Christian country'. English is the common language by use but it is not the national language by law. Englishmen are much less self-conscious about their nationality than Scotsmen, Irishmen or Welshmen. But the Irish are desperately afraid of being laughed at; Scots are more frank in the expression of opinion and in the display both of anger and sentiment; and the Welsh prefer to live in small groupings — they are countrymen, not townsmen and the family is the centre of Welsh life. And whereas a country like Britain exhibits considerable variation in climate and landscape, the differences across the continental US are extreme. Less apparent at first thought is that much of what was once said to be typically British or American is often no longer just British or American.

Analyse the chart describing basic mutual and discriminating parameters of British and American cultures: history, religion, philisohpy, social models, socio-cultural, psychological, communicative and behavioural characterictics. Discuss them in the group.

 

Socio-Cultural Stereotypes

Common origins	History	Role / Models	Behavioural Characterictics
Language: English     Religion: Protestant Calvinist Non-conformist     Philosophy: Pragmatic Empirical Inductive: Observe facts Person-oriented (not idea oriented)	New country Opportunity Enterprise Present and future oriented       Old Empire Responsibility administration; Order; Past and present oriented	Self-made man Enegry Enterpreneur Baseball player President John Wayne US   UK     Squire Gentleman Cricketplayer Monarch Laurence Olivier	Individualistic Non-conformist Energetic: friendly Game-oriented: win Informal Self-promoting Competitive Maximizing   Group-oriented Conformist Reserved: shy Problem-oriented: solve it Self-depricating: we Semi-formal Collaborative Minimizing	PERFORMANCE   RANK

 

b) Match the strategy of 'handling' to the socio-cultural stereotypes. Give your reasons.

HOW TO HANDLE THEM

 

STRATEGY A * Reflect their energy — be bold and open! * Be informal — relax! * Use first names! * Open up: talk about your family; tell stories! * Be competitive but remember: they will be friendly even after a hard game.

STRATEGY В * Be low-key: approach them * Warmly but positively! * Collaborate! * Be a problem solver! * Smile! Do not be competitive or argumentative! * Don't talk about families, politics or religion.

 

 

Language cannot be separated from culture. Even if you speak perfectly but argue or negotiate according to the rules of your own culture you may not achieve your communicative aims. Study ABC (simplest facts to be learnt first) of Anglo-Saxons diplomacy. Is it universal? If not, try to workout ABC of diplomacy for your nation.

Why are generalizations about nations or national characteristics dangerous?