Meeting People at the Office

Smolski: Let me introduce my staff to you. This is my secretary, Miss Zhurbenko.

Hartley: Nice to meet you, Miss Zhurbenko.

Ann: Nice to meet you, too. Call me Ann.

Smolski: I also want you to meet Michail Kaminski, our Sales Manager. You've already met Mr. Smirnov.

Hartley: What does Mr. Smirnov do?

Smolski: He is our Export-Import Manager... Do take a seat. Would you like something to drink?

Hartley: Er... Yes, please. I'd like a cup of coffee.

Smolski: Ann, could you make coffee for us, please?

Ann: Certainly, sir. How would you like your coffee, Mr. Hart­ley, black or white?

Hartley: Black, please.

Ann: With sugar?

Hartley: No, thanks.

Smolski: By the way, Mr. Hartley, what is your profession?

Hartley: I'm an engineer, but at the British Oil Company I work as a Sales Manager. Here's my card.

Smolski: Thanks. Let's get down to business, Mr. Hartley...

Saying Goodbye

Smolski: Thank you, Mr. Hartley. Our driver is at your disposal during

your visit. His name is Oleg. Hartley: Thank you very much, Mr. Smolski. Smolski: Well, let's call it a day. Our driver's waiting for you. He'll

take you to your hotel. Hartley: Goodbye, Mr. Smolski. Smolski: Goodbye, Mr. Hartley. See you tomorrow.

2. Language Functions

A. When in an English-speaking country, it is very important to know the various expressions used to greet, part, or make introductions. Answer the questions below using the dialogue in ex. 1 for reference.

1. Look through the dialogue and say what formal phrases are used by people who are introduced to each other. What are the

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generally accepted answers to them? What less formal greetings do you know?

A polite way of asking someone you already know about his/ her life is: "How are you?"/"How are you getting on?". One can answer by saying: "I'm all right. Thank you", "I'm fine. Thanks", or "So-so".

2. The most universal ways of addressing people in English that
can be used when speaking to strangers as well as to people you
know are: Mr., Mrs., Ms, and Miss. In some cases we can also say:
sir/madam, officer, Your Majesty, and Ladies and Gentlemen.

Which forms of address are used when speaking to

a) a man;

b) an unmarried woman;

c) a married woman;

d) a woman whose marital status is unknown;

e) a King or a Queen;

f) a policeman;

g) a group of people at a meeting, conference, etc.; h) the customers?

However, people in the English-speaking countries prefer calling each other by the first name: Peter, Ann, etc.

3. What should you say if you wish to attract somebody's attention
(in the street, in the office, in a shop, etc.)?

a) I'm sorry.

b) Excuse me.

c) Good morning.

4. What "neutral" greetings — "Good morning!", "Good after­
noon!", or "Good evening!" — are used in the English-speaking
countries

a) from 12:00 to 17:00;

b) until 20:00;

c) until 12:00?

What is the usual answer to such greetings?

5. When parting, people in the English-speaking countries often
say: "Goodbye", "Bye-bye", and "So long". Which expression(s):

a) are used when parting with someone you know well;

b) is the most neutral one?

You can also say: "See you later" and "See you tomorrow".

6. What ways of expressing gratitude are used in the dialogue? Some other ways of expressing gratitude are: "My pleasure", "Any­time", "You are welcome", "Don't mention it", etc.

7. What ways of asking about someone's position / profession are used in the dialogue?

By saying "Who is he/she?" we ask about the person's'name, surname, job, in what relations one is with the person, etc.

B. Respond to the following remarks.

1. How do you do? 2. Glad to meet you. 3. Good afternoon! 4. Good­bye! 5. Hi! 6. How are you getting on? 7. Would you like a cup of coffee? 8. How would you like your coffee? 9. What do you do? 10. Thank you very much.

С You are having an appointment with a foreign company rep­resentative. How will you greet him/her if the appointment is at:

1) 10 a.m.; 3) 3.30 p.m.;

2) 6 p.m.; 4) 11.15 a.m.?

Diving Deeper

Answer the questions.

1. How did John Hartley arrive in Minsk? 2. Why did he arrive in Minsk? 3. Who was he met by? 4. Did Mr. Hartley like the capital of Belarus? 5. What do you know about the Machinexport personnel? 6. What polite offer did Mr. Hartley accept? 7. What is Mr. Hartley's profession and position occupied in the company?,8. Where did Mr. Hartley go to after the conversation?

Role-Playing

A. Act out the conversation between J. Hartley, A. Smirnov, V. Smol-
ski, and Ann Zhurbenko.

B. With a partner, have conversations using the instructions
below.

1. Two delegates meet at a conference. They do not know each other.

 

DelegateВ

Introduce yourself *, Reply; ask about his/

Delegate A

Introduce yourself Ask about his/

her company Say yes

her company Reply; invite him/

her to dinner

Agree; ask for directions to the restaurant Say thank you and goodbye

Decide when and where Give directions Say goodbye

2. A business acquaintance visits your office.

The visitor

Greet your visitor Offer a drink Introduce the staff Make an appointment Say goodbye

The employee

Greet your acquaintance Accept a drink Greet the staff Make an appointment Say goodbye

C. Look at the picture. What do you think the people are saying? Make up a dialogue between them.

5. A Business Card

A. Look at the business card and answer the following ques­tions.

1. Whose card is it? 2. What does this person do? 3. What company does he work for? 4. What city is he from? 5. What is his telephone number? 6. What is the address of his company?

VECTOR PETROLEUM

John G. Hartley

Sales Manager

9 North Road, Brighton, BNI 5JF, England Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]