Modern office

We arrived at Richard’s main office in downtown Manhattan. It was on the twenty-fifth floor of a skyscraper. I saw a plaque in the lobby that said MEDEQ, Inc. I guessed that MEDEQ stood for Medical equipment. A man operated the elevator.

Before the meeting Richard showed me his office. I was really impressed with the state-of-the-art office equipment. I didn’t see a single typewriter there. Everybody worked on PC (personal computer). I had heard that every office worker had a dictionary because English spelling is so difficult. But I didn’t see any dictionaries there. Richard explained that there were special computer programs to check spelling. Every PC was connected to a printer to print out processed documents. There was a copier which made copies in color. The office also had telex and fax facilities. I noticed a strange-looking machine in the corner. Richard explained that it was a paper shredder. I wished we had an office like that in Leningrad!

The office workers were very efficient. They knew how to run every piece of equipment. And they worked very fast. I said I’d like to learn how to run everything too. Richard introduced me to the staff. They were very friendly. He asked them to give me a hand in mastering the office equipment.

III семестр

Telephone calls (Любимцева, С. Н. p. 173 Ex. 24 (1.2); p. 174 Ex 24 (6.7))

1

A. Hello!

B. Hello! Is that Tom?

A. Speaking.

B. Tom, this is Fred.

A. "Oh, Fred, glad to hear you. How are you?

B. I'm fine, thank you. Are you busy?

A. You know, our friends are here. We are having a good time.

B. What are you doing?

A. Henry is playing the guitar, Mary and Nick are dancing.

B. Is Pat with you?

A. Yes, she’s watching TV. Will you join us?

B. With pleasure. How can I get to your place?

A. Take a number 4 bus. It’ll take you only 15 minutes.

2

A. Hello.

В. Can I speak to Mr. Brown, please?

A. You are speaking too fast. I can't understand you. Besides, I Who is calling?

B. Is it 245-69-22?

A. Sorry. You've got the wrong number, I'm afraid

6.

A. When are you going to have talks with the customer?

B. In two days.

A. What matters are you going to discuss with them?

B. The prices and some other things.

A. Are you going to lake them to your plant?

B. No, not this time. We are taking them to the exhibition in Sokolniki.

7.

A. Good morning, sir. Can I help you?

B. Well, I have an appointment with Mr. Brown.

A. What time is il for?

B. 11 o'clock.

A. Mr. Brown's office is on the fourth floor. Take the lift over there. I'll tell him you're coming.

B. Thank you.

A. (over the phone) Mr. Ivanov to see Mr. Brown.

Mr Ivanov to sec Mr Brown. Г-н Иванов к г-ну Брауну.

Business telephone conversation (Любимцева, С. Н. p. 177)

LOCK: Hello! Is that "Intersport"?

SECRETARY: Yes. Secretary speaking. Who's calling?

LOCK: Lock of Brown and Sons Company. I'd like to speak to the President, please. Is he available?

SECRETARY: Mr Petrov is on another line. Can you hold on?

LOCK: Certainly.

PETROV: Petrov speaking.

LOCK: Hello, Mr Petrov. It's Lock. Our delegation is coming to Moscow next week.

PETROV: Glad to hear that. When will they arrive?

LOCK: On Monday.

PETROV: That's good. And what do you think of our offer?

LOCK: Our people are still studying your offer and catalogues. But we think, your prices are too high, you know.

PETROV: Well, we can meet next week and discuss the prices.

LOCK: Agreed. See you next week.

Is he available? зд. Можно с ним поговорить?. Не is on another line. Он говорит по другому телефону.; Can you hold on? не кладите трубку; What do you think of our offer? Каково ваше мнение о нашем предложении?

Business and private letters (Любимцева, С. Н. Ex. 14 p. 231)

Dear Ann,

At last I've received a letter from you. I know you've been very busy since I left Moscow. I'm glad that you've passed your exam. You deserve a good rest now as you've done a lot of work. The weather here is just wonderful. I've been here for two weeks already and it's rained only once. It's getting warmer every day. I've tried to swim but I must say the water is still rather cool. But the sun is warm and I'm enjoying my holiday.

By the way I've met a girl from St. Petersburg here. She is nice and amusing and we are having a good time together.

What are your plans for the holiday? Has the weather in Moscow changed for the better? Are you going to stay in Moscow or have you decided to go somewhere? Come and join me. I'm sure you'll like it here and I'll be happy to see you.

Well, I'm sorry I must finish now. My new friend has come to take me to the cinema.

P.S. Have you seen any of our friends lately? Give my best re­gards to them and your parents.

Love, Lucy

to deserve заслуживать: rest отдых; to get warmer становиться теплее; to try по­пробовать: P.S. = лат. post scriptum постскриптум; Love, Lucy С любовью, Люся.

Dear friends,

I'm a University student, I came to Russia five months ago.

All this time I've been in St. Petersburg, one of the largest cul­tural and scientific centres of Russia, the city famous for its fantastic museums and architecture.

I've learned to speak Russian and understand Russian people. Now I know very well the country's history, art, literature, customs and traditions. I don’t get information from guide-books. I talk to people in the streets, in the shops and in the cafes.

People here are very sociable, friendly and helpful. I've made a lot of friends here. I'm looking forward to seeing you. There's so much to tell you.

Yours, Paul

custom ['k0stqm] обычай: tradition [trq'dISn] традиций; guide-book ['gaIdb4k] путе­водитель; to make friends подружиться

Dear Sirs,

Thank you for your kind invitation to the reception to be held on the 13th of May on the occasion of your national holiday. Unfortunately I am unable to attend the party owing to another business trip.

Yours sincerely,

…

Dear Mr A.,

I wish to thank you for your kindness and hospitality during my stay in Moscow.

I am pleased we have reached an agreement on prices and hope we can start on the project in the near future.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

…

A letter of application (Любимцева, С. Н. p. 241)

Dear sirs,

I would like to apply for the position of the Chief Accountant which you advertised in the Moscow Times on August 4.

I’m 30 years old and I graduate from the Moscow Financial Academy 6 years ago.

I have worked in a Russian-English joint venture for the last 3 years.

Last year I spent a month as a trainee in accounting with as English firm.

I would like very much the opportunity to work for your firm.

I hope you will give me an interview.

Yours faithfully,

N.B. Slavin

to apply for the position здю получить место; trainee ["treI'ni:] стажер; to advertise ['1dvqtaIz] рекламировать

Telephone conversation (Любимцева, С. Н. Ex. 14 p. 261)

1.

A. Hallo. My name's Menon. Can I speak to Mr Petrov, please?

B. Oh, good moring, Mr Menon. Petrov speaking. When you (to come) to Moscow?

A. On Friday. I (to stay) in Moscow for three days. I (to come) here to do business with you, Mr Petrov. We (to be going) to buy machines Model A from you.

B. Nice to hear that. Shall we make an appointment for Tuesday? Can you come at 11 o'clock?

A Certainly, I (to be) at your office at 11.

2.

A. You sound convincing and I think we (to give) you a 2 per

cent discount off the price.

B. Fine. So we (to settle) the price problem. And what are your

terms of payment?

A. Our customers usually (to make payments) against shipping

documents by a letter of credit.

B. What bank you (to want) us to open the L/C with?

A. With the Bank of Russia.

B. That (to suit) us very well.

You sound convincing. Вы убелили меня; to make payment осуществлять платежи