Deborah Capras - Small Talk - B1+

Key phrases

Making the first move

I don’t think we’ve been introduced. My name’s Hans, Hans Schiller.

Hi, I’m Mary, Mary Smith.

We haven’t actually met, but I’m Hans Schiller.

May I introduce myself? I’m Mary Smith.

I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Mary Smith.

Giving the right response

It’s a pleasure to meet you.

Pleased to meet you.

(It’s) good/great/nice to meet you.

(It’s) good/great/nice to meet you too.

Checking names

I’m sorry, but I didn’t catch your name.

I’m sorry, but what was your last name again?

How do you spell your name?

‘Athanasis’. Am I saying it correctly?

Helping people to remember your name

Please, call me John.

Let me give you my (business) card.

Here’s my (business) card.

Go to www.collinselt.com/businessresourcesto listen to the key phrases.

Scenarios

Rena:Hi, I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Rena Chioti.

Antonio: Nice to meet you, Ms Chioti. Am I saying it correctly?

Rena:Yes, but please, call me Rena.

Antonio:Rena. I’m Antonio, Antonio Messina.

Rena: Good to meet you too, Antonio. How do you spell your name?Is it with double ‘s’?

Antonio:Yes, like the city in Sicily. My family’s from there.

Rob: We haven’t actually met, but I’m Rob Williams.

Markus: It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Professor Kern, Markus Kern.

Rob: It’s good to meet you too.

Markus: I’m sorry, but I didn’t catch your last name.

Rob:It’s Williams, as in Robbie Williams. You know, the singer. Let me give you my business card.

Markus:Thank you. And here’s mine.

Jules:Hello. I don’t think we’ve been introduced. My name’s Jules, Jules Chirac.

Sergei:Oh, I’m sorry, Jules! Sandra, this is Jules Chirac, our designer in our French office. Jules, this is Sandra Harper. She’s with RTV.

Sandra: Nice to meet you, Jules.I’ve seen your work. It’s impressive.

Jules:Thank you. That’s great to hear. It’s nice to meet you too.

Go to www.collinselt.com/businessresourcesto listen to the scenarios.

Over to you

1 Match the sentence beginnings with the sentence endings.

2 John is talking to Sayuri when Ria joins them. Put the dialogue in the correct order.

3 Check your understanding. Answer the questions about the dialogue in exercise 2.

4 Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in the box.

1. I don’t think we................................

2. ‘Sahinda’. Am I............................... it correctly?

3. May I............................... myself?

4. Let me............................... you my card.

5. I’m sorry, but I............................... your last name.

6. Could you............................... your last name for me?

5 Complete the dialogue.

You: (1) (Say that you don’t know each other and give your name.)

..............................................................................................

..............................................................................................

Paul:It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Paul Mathews.

You: (2) (Respond to the greeting and say that you didn’t hear Paul’s last name.)

..............................................................................................

..............................................................................................

Paul:It’s Mathews. But please, call me Paul. I’m sorry, but how do you spell your name?

You: (3) (Spell your name and offer your business card. If possible, say something about your name to help Paul to remember it.)

..............................................................................................

..............................................................................................

6 Can you say the letters of your name in English?

Avoid using the old-fashioned phrase How do you do?It can sound solemn and too formal. If someone does use it to greet you, the fixed response is How do you do?

● The purpose of a handshake is to show respect and to perform a greeting ritual.

● Not everyone shakes hands, but in international business situations and contexts, a handshake when greeting someone is common.

● People from different cultures may expect different greetings, especially in their own countries. In Japan you may be greeted with a bow. In some countries, in particular in the Middle East and India, it is best not to offer your hand in greeting, especially to women.

● In some countries people may shake hands more often than in others. In Germany, for example, people often shake hands when they meet for the first time, when they leave and then every time they meet again, even if it is the next day. In the UK, however, people may only shake hands when they meet for the first time. Observe how people behave and do the same.

● Asian people usually have a gentle handshake. Americans generally expect handshakes to be firmer.

● If you are unsure what to do, wait for the other person to initiate the handshake.

● Don’t hold on to a person’s hand for too long. It can make them feel uncomfortable.

● Don’t use both your hands to shake someone’s hand. This may make the other person feel that you think you are more important than them.

● Don’t shake hands so roughly or firmly that you could hurt someone – and don’t shake hands very weakly either. What people will remember positively is a short, fairly strong handshake.

● For a warm and friendly greeting, tell people your first name as well as your last.

● If someone says their last name first, they probably expect you to use it (e.g. ‘Mr Smith’).