Extended Tasks and Activities
1.Reception Etiquette
Read the following passage and try to get some knowledge about reception etiquette.
Business Travel Etiquette
This is an age of globalization and nations all round the world have come very close as it is imperative for all of them to work together for fast progress. Multinational corporations have their offices in almost all countries and to carry on operations smoothly, they need some employees to relocate for some time and work at their foreign offices. Those jobs,which involve traveling for company work abroad, are considered to be quite prestigious in society. Top notch companies pay for air tickets, luxury accommodation and all needs of their employees when they are in a foreign land. At the same time, it is the duty of the employees to maintain the business travel etiquette so that they create a good impression of themselves and their company when they are meeting with their clients. So, refer to the business travel etiquette tips given below to make your journey a happy and successful one.
Pack Your Essentials Properly
Before your departure, the main business travel etiquettes would be to ensure that you are taking along all essential items which you will need there. It should not happen that you leave important documents and fall into trouble later on. Along with the documents and office related things, packing the best clothes you have—both formal and casual—is also important. Other essentials such as your laptop, cell phones, etc., should also be a part of your packing list for travel. Packing for a trip will be easy if you can prepare a list of the essential things.
Follow Airport Guidelines
You are going abroad on a business trip with some of your colleagues and are quite excited. The first suggestion on business travel etiquette is to reach the airport on time and cooperate with the airport authorities by completing all the formalities properly. When you meet your colleagues at the airport, greet them with a warm hello followed by a handshake.Getting help from travel agents while traveling by air is a good idea. You should possess important travel documents such as passport, visa, identity and age proof, nationality proof,etc. Once you enter your aircraft, follow all instructions and air travel tips given by the cabin crew and staff and do not argue with them. Air travel restrictions are common for all and so abide by them to avoid falling into difficulties. Be polite and humble as this can alone get you a gentleman’s tag.
Look Good and Presentable
Among the various business travel tips, being presentable and looking decent is an important one. Whenever you are on a business trip, look into the mirror and make sure that you are wearing ironed, clean and good clothes. Wear the necktie and suit properly to look like a sincere professional. Have good postures while walking and sitting and a smile on your face. Maintain eye contact with people while talking and talk sensibly as these are the signs of a person having good body language. This is also one of the most commonly suggested international travel tips.
Conduct
Throughout your travel, your conduct should be extremely good. Do not make gestures and actions which can be irritating for other people or your own colleagues. If you are traveling with your boss, do not get too casual, give him the respect which he receives in the office. There would not be any ban on cracking jokes, laughing or having fun, but you should know exactly when to indulge in some good fun. Carefully listen to what the other person is speaking and then give your own opinion. You cannot just start entertaining everyone in an ongoing meeting or serious discussion!
Party Behavior
Party behavior is also a part of the business travel etiquette. Often these days, parties are arranged in hotels or restaurants for employees for some recreation. However, since it is an office party, you need to follow some behavioral norms. Avoid over drinking and making any kind of obscene gestures which can annoy the people around. Always be in your senses and be extra polite when it comes to interacting with female colleagues.
Dining Etiquette
In the course of your business travel, you are always under observation. So, even while dining with your colleagues, you must follow important etiquette. Never go late for the dinner and keep others waiting for you. If this happens, apologize immediately for your late arrival. Start your dinner along with all others and not before them. Avoid talking over the phone while eating or talking too loudly which can be disturbing for others. If you have to answer an urgent call from someone, then excuse yourself and come back immediately after answering the call.
2.Extended Reading
The Scheduling of Appointment
The scheduling of appointment is very important in western culture. Western people tend to have their time well arranged for every day. Appointments are essential as western people don’t welcome unexpected visitors. If you want to visit somebody or invite somebody to do something, you’d better make an appointment with him or her one or more weeks in advance.
Contacts should be made prior to your visit. Appointments can be made by telephone or e-mail with the person you are going to meet or his secretary. Before making an appointment,make sure that you know the full name (including the spelling and pronunciation) and the title of the person you are going to meet. When making the appointment, you should keep clearly in mind the time and place of your appointment, and the people concerned.
To keep an appointment, punctuality is regarded highly important. So, you’d better estimate the time it will take you to get to the destination. In case of traffic jam or emergencies, you should telephone the other party immediately and apologize for being late. However, punctuality never means you must be there 10 minutes (or more) earlier than the appointment time. You may wait elsewhere if you arrive earlier.
You can change or cancel an appointment if something prevents you from keeping it. But remember to contact the other party in advance for any change of the appointment.
(1) What should we do if we want to visit somebody or invite somebody to do something in western countries?
(2) How can we make appointments with westerners?
(3) What should we make sure before making an appointment with a westerner?
(4) What should we do if we want to keep an appointment?
(5) What should we do if we arrive earlier than the appointment time?
Travel Tips before Traveling to a Foreign Country
There are many things that you can do to prepare yourself and your family for travel. By being as prepared as you can be, you are setting yourself up for a great getaway that will minimize any unpleasant circumstances that sometimes arise with travel.
In order to have the best vacation possible, I’m going to share with you the must-know-tricks and travel tips before you travel.
The very first thing you must do is RESEARCH. You want to learn as much as you possibly can about your destination prior to arrival. Yes, this is going to require some time and effort on your part but it is going to be more than worth it. This is the only way to truly understand what you want from your vacation and what you want to do on your vacation.
Here are some things that you should always know about your destination.
Weather—You need to know what you should be packing and planning for.
Paperwork and documentation—Know what is needed to travel to your particular destination. Know if there are any diseases common to the area you will be traveling to—this way you are able to take preventative measures.
Costs of local items—You want to be able to properly plan your budget, and remember to include taxes and tipping.
Holidays and festivals—Check to see when these occur for your destination as you may find limited services on those days.
The best holidays are the ones we are most prepared for. Make it a habit to always know as much as you can about your destination before you travel. It’ll make all the difference in the world!
What are some other things that you can do to prepare yourself? Use these travel tips before you travel.
1.Make two photocopies of your passport. Put one in a safe place or leave it with a friend.Take the other one with you and keep it in a separate place from your passport. In this way should your passport become lost or stolen. You can use the copy to exit the country and it will also facilitate the replacement process.
2.E-mail yourself important information such as: airline numbers and flight information,credit card numbers, passport and driver’s license numbers and anything else that may be of importance to you. If anything is lost or stolen, you can use them with internet connection.
3.Know your banking information. For your credit card, make sure that the valid dates will remain valid while you’re traveling; know your available spending amount and don’t forget to leave some room on it for emergencies. Check your ATM and debit cards’ daily and total limits.
4.Learn some local phrases. If you are traveling to a country with a foreign language, it’s always nice to know some of the local phrases. Knowing the “polite words” will be a huge help.You will find that natives really appreciate this and will tend to be more receptive to your questions. Maybe you’ll even make a new friend while you’re at it!
5.Be aware of the voltage that’s used for the country you’re traveling to. If you are taking anything that requires an outlet: cell phone, computer, video camera, etc., make sure to purchase plug adapters. For things such as hairdryers, curling irons, electric razors, etc.,purchase an actual voltage converter unless your appliance has multiple voltage currencies.
When traveling to a foreign country, it’s always best to be as prepared as you can be. Do as much research as you possibly can, remember these travel tips before you travel and your trip abroad is sure to be a success.
Here’s your final checklist: passport, tickets, car rental and hotel reservation receipts/agreements, credit cards, medications or prescriptions; if required, addresses, password and any other important information that you may need. Don’t forget the most important thing:your adventurous travel mind. See and learn as much as you can and have the time of your life!
(1) Why should we know the costs of items in the destination country?
A. To plan the budget.
B. To bring something to eat.
C. To know the taxes and tips there.
D. To buy a ticket.
(2) Which one of the following is not the reason for making 2 photocopies of the passport?
A. We can go to the destination country with the copy if the passport is lost.
B. The copy can facilitate the replacement of the lost passport.
C. We can take one and leave the extra copy with a friend.
D. We can get great discount when buying something in the destination country.
(3) Which one of the following tips is not mentioned in the passage?
A. Make 2 photocopies of the passport.
B. Learn some local phrases.
C. E-mail the important information such as: airline numbers and flight information,credit card numbers, passport and driver’s license numbers and anything else that may be of importance(https://www.daowen.com)
D. Take more food and clothes.
(4) What should we do if the voltage in the destination country is different from that in the native country?
A. We should buy plug adapters to make the appliances such as hairdryers, curling irons, electric razors work normally.
B. We should take more appliances.
C. We should take the credit card.
D. We should buy the tickets in advance.
(5) Which one of the following is not mentioned in the final checklist before we start traveling?
A. Passport.
B. Car rental and hotel reservation receipts/agreements.
C. Password and any other important information that you may need.
D. The Graduation Certificate.
Some General Principles for Making a Schedule
● Be realistic in scheduling. A schedule shouldn’t be an unattainable wish list, but a real guide to help you plan your time well. You won’t be doing yourself any favors if you get discouraged and give up.
● Be flexible in following your schedule. From time to time, things will come up that require you to deviate from your schedule.
● Evaluate your schedule periodically. Every couple of weeks, look over your schedule to see how well it is serving you and how realistic it is. Revision may be necessary.
(1) What’s the meaning of “be realistic” in making a schedule?
(2) Why should we be flexible in following the schedule?
Mark’s Schedule
Suppose you are Mark, manager of the ABC Company. Here is your schedule, read it and try to answer the following questions.
April, 2020
(1) What are you going to do on Monday morning?
(2) What’s your schedule for Tuesday afternoon?
(3) What time will you leave for Hong Kong on Wednesday?
(4) What will you do in Hong Kong?
(5) How will you come back from Hong Kong?
3.Translation
A. Translate the following sentences from English into Chinese.
(1) I’d like to make an appointment to see Mr. Smith next week while I’m in Beijing.
(2) Would that be convenient for you?
(3) Our manager, Mr. Wang, wants me to let you know he’s free next Monday.
(4) I think we can draw up a tentative plan now.
(5) If he wants to make any changes, minor alternations can be made then.
B. Translate the following sentences from Chinese into English.
（1）是关于您和我们经理的约会。
（2）事实上我们只是想推迟到晚饭时间。
（3）你们不愿在广州多待一两天吗？
（4）我们已经顺利安排好了活动日程。
（5）我想能否为我们安排一点时间购物。
4.Practical Training Project
Background:
You are a business assistant in a furniture manufacturing company, you will be responsible for receiving an important foreign guest of you company from New York City, the USA and are required to make the reception arrangement. Please finish the following tasks with your partner,taking the roles of a business assistant and foreign guest.
Tasks:
Task 1: Writing
Make a schedule for the reception, including reception activities, time, venue and transportation arrangement.
Task 2: Pair Work
Create a dialogue with your partner. Simulate discussion with the foreign guest about the schedule and make some changes according to the customer’s requirements.