Lesson 45: Meeting New People
DIALOGUE
In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over this topic: meeting new people. First, read the following dialogue out loud with your tutor, then switch roles and try again.
Emily and Devin are talking about meeting new people.
Emily: Devin, do you find it difficult or easy to meet new people?
Devin: I’m outgoing, so I find it easy. What about you?
Emily: I’m a little on the shy side so sometimes I find it difficult. I get a little nervous meeting new people.
Devin: Do you think it depends on the gender of the person?
Emily: Yes, it’s easier for me to meet women than men. My first impressions are usually better when I meet women.
Devin: Yes, first impressions are important. I can tell right away if I’m going to like someone. It depends on if they are impolite or polite.
Emily: I agree. Do you have more good friends or acquaintances?
Devin: I have more acquaintances than good friends. I prefer to have a few good friends.
Emily: Me too! Do you always shake hands when meeting new people?
Devin: I always extend my hand to greet people no matter who it is.
VOCABULARY
Go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly.
Vocabulary/ Expressions
outgoing | (adj) friendly and social He is an outgoing person because he has many friends. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
on the shy side | (prep phrase) to be a little on the not so social side; not comfortable around or with other people People on the shy side are sometimes afraid to meet new people. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
acquaintance | (n) a person one knows slightly, but who is not a close friend She is an acquaintance, not a good friend. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
gender | (n) the sex of a person, male or female Parents can find out the gender of a baby before it’s born. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
first impressions | (phrase) the first idea or feeling you have about someone or something My first impressions of my new job were good and bad. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
impolite | (adj) not having or showing good manners; rude It’s impolite to not make eye contact when talking to someone. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
polite | (adj) having or showing behavior that is respectful of other people and things In the USA it’s polite to shake hands with someone you just met. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
prefer | (v) to like someone or something better than another or others; to choose one of the other I prefer to eat vegetables rather than fruit. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
shake hands | (phrase) to take someone’s hand to greet them To shake hands before a business meeting is polite. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
extend | (v) to put an arm, leg, or hand straight; hold something out towards someone When shaking hands you need to extend your hand out in front of your body. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
EXERCISE
Practice answering the following questions with your tutors. You can use the sample answers to come up with your own answer.
- What are some good questions to ask people you just met?
- What do you like to do in your free time?
- Do you like to travel?
- Your answer:
- What kind of people do you like to meet?
- I prefer to meet outgoing people.
- For me, I like to meet people who are kind and pleasant.
- Your answer:
- What are some things you shouldn’t ask people you just met?
- In my opinion, I would not ask someone new about politics.
- I think it’s best not to ask personal questions like how much money they earn.
- Your answer:
- What are some things you first notice about people?
- Usually, I can tell if they are polite or impolite.
- I can always tell if they are shy or outgoing.
- Your answer:
- What makes you remember a person you just met?
- Sometimes I remember them because of their name.
- Normally I remember a person by how they act.
- Your answer:
CONVERSATION
Use the following questions as a guideline to form an interesting conversation with your tutor. Feel free to diverge from these suggestions if anything interesting comes up.
- Do you enjoy meeting new people? Why or why not?
- How important are first impressions to you?
- Do you have more good friends or acquaintances? Why?
- How do you greet good friends in your culture?
- How important is it to smile when meeting someone new?
WRAP-UP
