Topic: a successful business lunch
Key Phrases:
I occasionally have business lunches
What kind of food do you order for lunch?
Is this table OK?
I have a reservation in the name of Brown.
Can I order a squid?
Can I have a steak?
I am allergic to fish
That sounds delicious.
They do an excellent steak here.
It is cooked in white wine.
Vocabulary to the text:
to organize a business lunch
for different starters..
be followed by a second course
as the host
to ask for the bill
1 Discuss these questions.
a How often do you have business lunches? Never, occasionally, quite often, often
b Do you enjoy them?
с What kind of food do you order?
d Are you usually the host or the guest*
2 Read the text below from a business magazine. Complete each rule with the pair-of verbs in the box.
put + turn; choose + look; book + plan; signal + pay; talk + relax; ask + order; get + wait
Text: Seven dos and don'ts for a successful business lunch
Many juicy deals are made during a meal. So how do you organize a business lunch? Where, when and what do you eat?
1 The place: ____somewhere not cheap but not too expensive.
____for somewhere quiet which has space and well-separated tables.
2 The menu ____for different starters you can share, followed by a light second course. Skip the
dessert and ___coffee and a liqueur.
3 The time: ___ a table for between 14.30 and 15.00. ___ to finish within two hours (except
on Friday). As the host, arrive a few minutes early.
4. Don't ___ up to say hello to other acquaintances in the restaurant. ___ until the end of the meal.
5. Don't ____ any papers on the table, at least until the end of the meal, and ____ off your mobile phone
6. Don’t ____ about politics or personal matters (unless you know the person well), but ___ too much formality creates distance and coldness.
7. ____ the end of the meal by asking for the bill. ____ with a credit card.
.
3 Do you agree with the rules? Why or why not?
4. What can go wrong when you eat out in a restaurant? Think about the items in 1 and add your own ideas. Make a list.
5. Listen to six conversations in a restaurant. In each case there is a problem. Are any of the problems on your list from 2?
6. Listen to the conversations again. This line matches each one to the problems below.
A guest... Conversation
a doesn't drink alcohol. -
b is allergic to fish. -
С doesn't eat meal. -
d doesn’t like the idea of squid. -
e doesn't like the steak. -
f needs a chair. -
7. Complete the conversations. Listen again to check your answers.
1 A Good afternoon, sir
В: Good afternoon. I (a)___ ___ ___ in the name of Cruyff
A: Ah yes. Mr. Cruyff. That's right. Is this table okay?
В: I'm sorry. I know our reservation is for a table for two, but now there are three of us. (b)_____ ______ ______ free?
A: Just one moment. Yes, no problem. Can I take your coats?
В: Thank you.
A: This way, gentlemen.
2 А. Can I (с)- - - squill'
В Squid? That sounds, er interesting
A Yes, its our local speciality. It comes in a black sauce made from the squid's ink.
В Does it? Oh. (d) ?
A Beef Meonoise? That's just a steak.
В Can I have that?
A Of course, if that's what you want
3 A What (c)- - - - eat? They do an excellent steak here.
b/ ER… I’m afraid there’s a problem. (f) - - - I’m a vegetarian
A Are you? Oh, I'm sorry. Would you like to go somewhere else?
В No problem. I eat fish.
A Right, well, the fish is good here as well Try this in white wine
В It sounds delicious.
4 A This is one of my favorite restaurants
В Yes. its a (h) .
A Their specialty is fish.
В fish?
A Yes, they do it really well.
В Oh dear. I'm afraid I'm allergic to fish. I can't eat it.
A Ah ... I'm sorry.
В don t worry. I (i) or something
5 A Right, that s the ( to drink?
В Just water for me. please
A Oh. come on. We can have a …to celebrate
В No. really. Order some for yourself. I don't drink alcohol, you see.
A Oh right. Br waiter, a glass of water and a beer for me.
6 A Mine's delicious. How’s yours?
В Well, actually the steaks (I)
A Is it? Oh no. We can order something else.
В Don't worry The salad's good.
A (ill) ?
В Yes.no problem