II. Answer the following questions.

1. What important things should you know before telephoning?

2. Give advice on how to use your voice and to check your understanding.

3. What does the term ‘explicit cultures’ mean? What about ‘subtle cultures’?

4. What is a small talk?

5. Which countries are considered to be ‘explicit cultures’ and ‘subtle cultures’?

6. Is it always important to be face - to - face? Can there be any difficulties on the telephone because of this?

III. Sort out the most important information from the text and retell it.

Discussion

1. How often do you meet your friends? In what way do you usually greet them?

2. Have you ever made a business call? What words did you use to begin the talk?

3. Have you ever dialed from abroad? Do you know the rules of making telephone calls?

I. Meeting people

I. Here are the words and phrases which are commonly used when we meet

people. Read and memorize them.

Greetings

1. You say "How do you do" to a person when formally introduced or when you meet him for the first time. This formula may be used almost anytime of day. You say this without expecting any answer but "How do you do," and do not offer to shake hands. “Pleased to meet you” or “Glad to meet you” is also a possible variant when you meet a person for the first time.

2. You say "Good morning" to people you know little or when your greeting is more formal. This formula is used before lunch. To those you know well you may say simply "Morning".

3. You say "Good afternoon" to people you do not know well between lunch time and tea-time.

4. You say "Good evening" to people you do not know very well after 6 p.m. To those you know well you may just say "Evening".

5. The proper universal informal greeting is "Hello". This formula is usually used with the first name. You can say “Hi!” to your close friends.

After an informal or a friendly greeting often comes the question: "How are you?" The answer is: “I’m all right, thank you” or “I’m fine, thanks”.

Farewells

The usual phrase to use when you leave is "Good bye," but there are a number of other less formal ways of parting, such as:

Bye-bye!

Cheerio! (Br.)

See you later!

See you tomorrow!

(I'll) be seeing you (soon).

So long.

Farewell. (When parting for long.)

Say "Good night" only when you leave and it is after eight o'clock at night.

Thanks and possible answers

Thank you very much. Thank you. Thanks.

My pleasure. Anytime. You are welcome. Don’t mention it. It’s nothing. Not at all

First words

Often the first words are the most difficult. Bellow are some suggestions for “breaking the ice” (either could be said by a visitor or by the person receiving the visitor)

Would you like a cup of coffee? Sorry to keep you waiting. I was rather tied up just now. Is it your first visit? What do you think of the city? Isn’t it cold today? You found us without too much difficulty, I hope? Did you have a good trip? Have you been to New York before?

Sorry I’m a little early. I hope it is not inconvenient. I’m pleased to be here, after a trip like that. I like your office. People are very helpful here. On my way to meet you….