Themes > Technology >Welcoming clients
Welcoming clients

It business it is important to establish a good working relationship with clients. Meetings over a dinner table can often help people to understand one another better over the boardroom table.

Social English helps you to promote a pleasant and positive atmosphere in your contact with clients. It is especially useful in situations where you are the host or guest, meeting face to face.

Here are some of the things you may have to do as either a host or a guest.

1. Greet someone you know
2. Respond to a greeting
3. Introduce yourself or another person
4. Respond to an introduction
5. Offer,eg a cup of tea
6. Accept or refuse an offer
7. Request, eg milk or sugar/to borrow a pen
8. Respond to a request
9. Apologise, eg for being late
10. Respond to an apology
11. Make small talk, eg about the weather
12. Thank for hospitality
13. Respond to thanks

What language for these activities do you know?

Look at the sentences below. Write the letter of each sentence next to the appropriate activity above:

a May I have some salt, please? l May I introduce myself?
b Don't worry. It's no problem. m Good morning. How are you?
c Is this your first visit to this country, Mr Prince? n Yes, please. Could I have a gin?
d Many thanks for the meal. o Are you interested in soccer?
e Would you like a drink? p Thank you for a delicious meal?
f How was your journey? q What do you think of the wine?
g May I make a quick phone call to my office? r Could you pass the butter?
h May I introduce Hans Peek from our Tokyo office? s It was a pleasure.
i How do you do? t Good morning, Mr Prince.
j I'm so sorry. My secretary tells me she hasn't sent you the sales figures. u Very well, thank you. And you?
k I really must apologise for the delay. v Yes, of course. Go ahead.
   


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