Excuse me - is anyone sitting here?
That's better - my feet are killing me!
No, but I just flew in this morning, and I haven't had a chance to sit down since then.
Is this your first visit to Australia?
No, I have been once before, but it was a long time ago.
And have you been to Sydney before?
Yes, it has its points. But you're lucky to live in Manila. It's a fascinating city.
What about yourself? Do you live in Sydney?
No, I live in Melbourne. I'm just here for the conference.
I'm going to Melbourne later. What's the weather like there?
Not too good in winter, but at the moment it should be okay.
It's good. Very convenient - just near the harbour.
Have you seen the Opera House yet?
Excuse me - there's someone I must talk to. It's been very nice to meet you. I'm Walter
You too. I'm Sue. Perhaps we'll meet later.
Today we're looking at a typical conversation you might have with someone you've only just
met - at a conference for example. What sort of thing can you talk about - and what topics
should be avoided? Let's look at how Walter and Sue get acquainted.
Sue breaks the ice, or starts the conversation. Excuse me, is anyone sitting here?
No, please have a seat. That's better - my feet are killing me!
We can tell from how Sue speaks to Walter, that they haven't met before. She is very
polite, and so is he. But then she says something more personal, and this is the icebreaker.
That's better. My feet are killing me. Sue is letting Walter know two things - firstly
- that she is tired, and secondly that she is willing to have a friendly conversation
with him. By making a more personal, or casual remark, she is inviting him to respond.
No, but I just flew in this morning, and I haven't had a chance to sit down since then.
Walter asks, "Have you been here long?"
To start a conversation like this, it's fairly safe to talk about what people have just done.
For this, we use the present perfect -have. Practise with Walter some typical questions
like this you could ask. Have you been here long?
Have you been to Sydney before?
Have you seen the Opera House?
Have you tried any restaurants? Questions that start with have you are yes/no
questions, so they have a rising tone: Have you been here long?
When answering these questions in a situation like this it is helpful to add some information,
If you just say yes or no, people may think you don't really want to talk.
No.
Oh. Instead - notice how Sue helps the conversation
along by giving some extra information. Have you been here long?
No, but I just flew in this morning, and I haven't had a chance to sit down since then.
Oh, where have you come from? Sue has said that she flew in this morning.
So this gives Walter an obvious next question.
This is a different type of question - it's asking for information.
Questions beginning with where, when, what, why, who are all questions asking for information.
Notice the difference between, "Where have you come from?" meaning where did you fly
from, and "Where are you from?", meaning what is your nationality.
Notice also the falling tone with these questions: 'Where have you come from?'
This makes the question sound friendly. But be careful not to ask too many questions like
this all together - the other person may think you're being too nosy.
Where are you going? Of course, some questions like this are alright
but try not to sound too inquisitive and offer some information or ideas yourself.
Is this your first visit to Australia?
No, I have been once before, but it was a long time ago.
And have you been to Sydney before?
Yes, it has its points. But you're lucky to live in Manila. It's a fascinating city.
Sue doesn't just answer yes or no - she adds some extra information. And Walter finds the
opportunity to give his opinion, and to compliment the place Sue comes from. Now it's Sue's turn
to ask a question. What about yourself? Do you live in Sydney?
No, I live in Melbourne. I'm just here for the conference.
Sue wants to ask Walter about himself - this is showing interest. So she says, "What about
yourself?"
Practise some useful phrases to introduce a question.
And how about you? These phrases should be followed by a question.
Practise again, with the question to follow. And what about yourself? Do you live in Sydney?
And how about you? Have you been here before? When meeting someone new on business, but
in a social setting, there are a few safe topics. We can talk about travel and accommodation,
basic questions about the other person, about the city you are in, interesting sights to
see, and of course, the weather. I'm going to Melbourne later. What's the weather
Not too good in winter, but at the moment it should be okay.
Finally, let's look at how Walter ends the conversation. He needs to make sure the other
person doesn't think he is bored. Excuse me, there's someone I must talk to.
It's been very nice to meet you.
You too. Perhaps we'll meet later.
I hope so. He gives a reason why he must go, then says,
"It's been very nice to meet you." Practise some useful phrases for ending a conversation,
with Walter and Sue. Well, it's been very nice to meet you.
I have enjoyed talking to you.
I hope so. In conversation, when asking questions remember
to use a rising tone for yes/no questions - such as those starting with 'do you' or
Questions starting with 'Do you' ask about regular actions, and about likes and dislikes,
Do you think this session will be interesting?
Questions starting with 'Are you' are asking for personal information:
Are you from Manila? or intentions:
Are you going to the dinner? Questions starting with where, when, what,
why or who are asking for information, and they often have a falling tone:
Where do you come from? When are you going back?
People from different cultures have different ideas about what are reasonable topics for
conversation between strangers so at first, it is safest to stick to general topics such
as travel, the weather, places, and of course the business you are in.
And remember, to keep the conversation going, offer information, don't just ask questions.
That's all today on the Business of English. See you next time.