Maung Maung Myint Thein (University of Technology) - Business English Speaking

Socializing/Small Talk in Business

Social speaking in business

Socializing

It is important to be polite when communicating with people. It is important to follow the rules when meeting people. Understanding the level of friendship depends on the response to your greeting.

Dialogue ( Greeting)

How are you? ( How are you?)

Okay, ( Okay)

The above conversation does not indicate intimacy.

How are you? ( Are you well?)

Fine, thank you. ( Fine, thank you.)

The above conversation seems to be friendly, but there is no invitation to continue talking. How are you? ( How are you?) Fine, How are you?

Good, how are you?

This type of conversation shows a lot of intimacy. Because it asks the other person a question in return. It's called a return question. How are you? is a return question .

When greeting someone, you should practice responding to them in the following ways:

1.(a) Nice weather, isn't it?

The weather is very nice. Isn't it? Is it? is a Tag Question . It is a statement that wants the other person's opinion.

(b) Yes, it's beautiful. I love spring weather.

Yes. The weather is beautiful. I love spring.

The dialogue (a) and ( b) above are friendly responses . You can continue the conversation.

1. (a) Nice weather, isn't it?

Nice weather, right?

(b) Yes, lovely. Beautiful day! Are you from around here?

Yes, it's lovely, it's a beautiful day. Are you from around here?

Dialogues (a) and ( b) above show a very friendly attitude. This response invites the conversation to continue.

In the business world, we use small talk before business lunches and meetings when we introduce ourselves or others .

Small talk is a conversation between people who know each other well or when meeting for the first time. Small talk should be avoided when discussing financial issues, bad news, politics, religion, or family secrets. Be careful with humorous jokes , as humor varies from culture to culture. Small talk can last from a few minutes to over an hour, depending on the setting.

Small talk in business

Dialogue

Noelle : Hello, I'm Noelle Sharrone. I'm from the Maketing Depertment of New Age Telecommunications. Hello, my name is Noelle Sharrone, I'm from the Maketing Depertment of New Age Telecommunications.

Raman: Hello, I'm Raman Santos I'm just arrived from Spain. Hello, my name is Raman Santos, I've just arrived from Spain.

Noelle: How are you? Welcome to our company. How are you? Welcome to our company.

Raman: How are you? Nice to meet you. How are you? Nice to meet you.

Noelle: How was your flight? How was your flight?

Raman: A little bumpy, but I am glad to be here.

It's a little bumpy, but I'm glad I came here.

Noelle: Good, did you have a chance to rest?

Okay, did you get a chance to listen?

Raman: Yes, I had a good night's sleep last night.

Okay, I slept well last night.

Jim : Well, fortunately we have nice weather today.

Well, luckily for us, the weather is very nice today.

Raman: Yes, it's beautiful. When I left, it was raining in Madrid.

Yes, the weather is nice, it was raining in Madrid when I left.

Jim: So, Mr. Santos, where are you staying?

So, Mr. Santos, where are you staying?

Rama: I'm at the Excelsior Hotel.

I'm staying at the Excelsior Hotel.

Jim : Very nice. Have you seen any sights yet?

Very good, have you seen any scenes?

Raman: Not yet, but Saturday I plan to tour the city and see

everything. Maybe you could recommend a tour. I haven't seen it yet, but I'm planning to go around the city on Saturday and see everything. Can you give me some advice on what to see?

Noelle: Well, there are some bus tours of the city, or you might try just a tour on foot. Well, there are some bus tours of the city, or you might try just a tour on foot.

Raman: Sounds good... That's good.

Noelle : I understand you are in advertising. Do you have any new ideas for our company? I understand you are in advertising. Do you have any new ideas for our company?

Raman: Yes, I do, I hope we will have time to discuss them all at the meeting. Yes, I do. I hope we will have time to discuss them all at the meeting.

Noelle: Great! Then let's get started. I think we are in the conference room over there.

Okay, then let's get started, I think we'll be in the conference room over there.

Raman: Okay, I'll follow you.

Okay, I'll follow you.

Let them use business language through small talk and friendly, polite communication.