2. Going to a business trip

3. Past tenses

Past simple

We use the past simple to refer to a completed action or event in the past or to talk about situations that existed over a period of time in the past, but not now. We can either say when something happened, using a time adverbial (e.g. a few minutes ago-. ), or assume that the listener or reader already knows when it happened or can understand this from the context.

I bought a new vacuum cleaner yesterday.

We use the past simple to talk about repeated past actions.

What did you do when the fire started? – I ran out of the house.

Past continuous

We use the past continuous to talk about a situation (...I was looking at him...) that started before a particular point in the past (...he turned, away) and was still in progress at that point.

When Tom came in, I was reading a letter.

Past perfect

We use the past perfect to talk about a past event that took place before another past event (1), or before or up to a particular time in the past (2).

After he had washed his car, he cleaned the garage.

By the time I got there, the concert had already begun.

Past perfect continuous

We use the past perfect continuous to talk about a situation or activity that was in progress over a period up to a particular past point in time.

He had been sleeping for five hours when she came back.

CARD #4

2. Travelling for pleasure and on business

The history of tourism

Even since man first emerged from his cave-dwelling, it seems he felt the urge to travel. But the first international tourist events were the Olympics Games of 776 BC. Then Romans built thousands of roads and some of the first people to take advantage of this road were religious travelers visiting cathedrals, shrines and holy sites. But development in transport really opened up the tourism. First were stage coaches and coaching inns. Then came steam. Steamboats crossed the English Channel and railways stretched their iron webs across the civilized world. Thomas Cook was first who began to explore railway’s potential by selling organized tours. Modern form of tourist industry was born with excursions and the introduction of hotel vouchers and traveler’s cheques. Then tourist industry developed increasingly. And in 1950s first Jet Airlines appeared. So the idea of foreign holidays really took off. In recent decades things have only got better for tourists: faster and cheaper.

Reasons for travelling

Today people travel for two reasons: for pleasure (for example to relax, enjoy healthy pleasure, to experience new places, get away from all and forget wordly cares) and second reason is on business. Businessmen often travel to negotiate a contract, participate in an international meeting, meet business partners and so on.

As for me I like travelling because it is always interesting, exiting and emotional. Travelling makes me wiser because I can see new places, meet new people, learn a lot about different countries, cultures and religious, I also can visit ancient buildings, interesting places and wonderful picturesque nature.

Means of travel

Then you are going to travel you need to choose means of travel. A person can go by car, bus, train, airplane, boat, motorcycle, bicycle, or even walk. All means of travel have their advantages and disadvantages. And people choose one according to their plans and destinations. Travelling by car or by bus is cheap and convenience, but it’s time consuming and sometimes dangerous. Train is very good, comfortable, cheap and safe means. Although travelling by plane is faster and more punctual, but expensive. It’s very exciting to travel by boat or ferry if you don’t have seasickness. The most independence ways are to go on a ride or to travel on foot. It’s healthy and adventures but tiring and dangerous. Also it’s very interesting to go hitch-hiking, but not safe.

Types of travel

After choosing means of travel you need to thing about types of travel. For plain it may be a charter flight or a scheduled flight. You may choose class: first, business or economy and fare type: apex or budget. Sea travel offers to book a berth in a shared cabin or a deluxe cabin on upper deck. If you want to travel by car you may use care hire. When you book it, you normally choose whether you want unlimited mileage. If you hire a car it gives you freedom to go as you please.

World guide to good manners

When you decided where you go, that means and types of travel choose, you also need to care about your behavior abroad. Every country has its own culture, customs and etiquette. For example,

The British are happy to have the business lunch and discuss business matters with a drink during the meal; the Japanese prefer not to work while eating. The Germans like to talk business before dinner; the French like to eat first and talk afterwards.

American executives sometimes signal their feelings of ease and importance in their offices by putting their feet on the desk whilst on the telephone. In Japan, people would be shocked.

In France you shouldn’t sit down in a café until you’ve shaken hands with everyone you know.

In the Middle East you must never use the left hand for greeting, eating, drinking, or smoking. Also you should take care not to admire anything in your hosts’ home. They will feel that they have to give it to you.

Especially it’s important to know if you are going to travel on business.