Small Talk: B1+. Deborah Capras

John: Oh, I’m so sorry, Ria! Sayuri, this is Ria Fisher, our company blogger in London. We work in the same building. John: Ria, this is Sayuri Riisa. She’s one of our engineers here in Berlin. Ria: It’s great to meet you too, Sayuri. Sayuri: Nice to meet you, Ria. 7 Ria: Really? Thank you. It’s nice of you to say that.

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

1	Where are they?
2	Who works in the UK?
3	Who is a writer?
4	Who works in Germany?
5	Has Ria met John before?
6	Does Sayuri know Ria?

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

catch

give

introduce

meet

say

spell

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

      2 â€˜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?

       Language focus: How do you do?

      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?

       Remember this! Handshakes

       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.