Business Lunches
Useful Expressions
- Thank you for meeting me here today.
- It's nice to meet you at long last.
- I appreciate you working me into your schedule.
- I’ve heard so much about you!
- I am looking forward to doing business with you.
- We have mostly communicated through emails.
- Speaking of which,...
- ...will join us shortly.
- Shall we order?
- Let’s get down to business.
Dialogue Practice
Read the dialogue aloud with your teacher.
Mr. Smith invited Mr. Adachi for a business lunch, to introduce their new accountant to him and to discuss their future relationship. | |
 Mark Smith | Mr. Adachi, thank you for meeting me here today. I really appreciate you working me into your schedule. |
 Akio Adachi | Nice to meet you in person at long last. I think we have mostly communicated through our secretaries and accountants. |
 Mark Smith | True. Speaking of which, I would like to introduce our new accountant that will take care of the things between our companies from now on. However, she seems to be a little bit late. But I'm sure that she will join us shortly. |
 Akio Adachi | Not that we are in a hurry. By the way, I heard that you have just returned from your vacation, how was it? |
 Mark Smith | Yes, it was great, I visited Hawaii for the first time. I really needed some time to relax and clear my mind, so I could come back to work fresh and rested. |
 Akio Adachi | Yes, we all need some time off to recharge our batteries. Shall we order some drinks while we're waiting? |
 Mark Smith | That's a good idea. |
A few minutes later, Mr. Smith's accountant, Nina, joins them at the restaurant. | |
 Mark Smith | Mr. Adachi, I would like to introduce to you our new accountant, Ms. Nina Roberts. |
 Akio Adachi | It is a pleasure to meet you. I am looking forward to doing business with you. |
 Nina | It's great to finally meet you, Mr. Adachi. I’ve heard so much about you! And I'm really sorry for being late, the traffic was terrible. |
 Akio Adachi | No problem, Ms. Roberts. I'm glad that you could make it. |
 Mark Smith | Okay, so, since we are all here now, and we don't have much time left, let's get down to business. |
Check your understanding:
1.
Why did Mr. Smith and Mr. Adachi meet for a business lunch?
2.
What did the two of them talk about while waiting for Nina?
3.
Why was Nina late for the meeting?
Role Play
Role-play the following situation with your teacher.
Situation
Your company has changed suppliers. You are having a business lunch with the representative of the new supply company. This is your first time meeting with one another. Introduce each other and start a conversation. Your teacher will act as the representative. You may use the following expressions:
- It's nice to meet you at long last.
- I appreciate you working me into your schedule.
- I‘ve heard so much about you.
- I am looking forward to doing business with you.
- Shall we order?
Discussion
1.
Have you ever been to a business lunch? How did it go?
2.
Do you think lunches provide good opportunities to talk business? Why? Why not?
3.
How is having a business lunch different from a standard meeting?
4.
Are business lunches a common practice in your country? Why?
