Business trip

Being a businessman you have to travel much, to meet many people, to arrange business deals and personal relations. It means you will often arrange business trips. Before you have a business trip you should do the following steps: prepare all business documents necessary for your meeting with a foreign partner.

If you visit your business partner for the first time you should take advertising materials representing your firm and its products. Today, many people make their travel arrangements over the phone. They call the travel agent and book their flight, and then give their credit card number to pay for the plane ticket, if you are going to travel by plane. It is the fastest way of traveling and it is helpful if you are short of time, but it is rather expensive. If your destination is not far from your town you can travel by car or by train. It is a slower way of traveling but it is cheaper and quite comfortable.

If a visa is necessary, some travel agents take their customers’ passports to the embassy’s visa department. You should also have medical insurance documents with you when you are going to visit your foreign partner.

It’s not a good idea to carry lots of cash with you, so traveller’s cheques are a safe way to take money abroad. It’s easy to change them at the bank for foreign currency during your trip.

When people travel they almost always stay at hotels or guest-houses, so you should make a hotel reservation in advance by letter, telephone or e-mail. Let the hotel manager know the day and the time of your departure, or you may arrive at the hotel to be told that there are no rooms available.

If you travel abroad you must go through the customs inspection. The customs officials check your luggage and ask you to fill in the customs declaration form. Some of your things may be subjected to duty, some of them are duty free. If you have foreign currency you would indicate the sum in your declaration.

If you don’t want to use public transport during your business trip you have to agree with accepting side to provide you with a car or you may ask about a good car rental company. In this case don’t forget to take your driving licence – you can’t drive without it! You also have to arrange insurance documents and take them too.

Useful tips

At the Customs. There is a list of certain goods which are permitted to carry through the border (so-called the Duty-Free Quota List). According to the list you may take personal things, a few trifles for the family, a bottle of perfume, some bottles of alcohol drinks, a carton of cigarettes and some other things for personal use. If you have the goods above the fixed quote, you will have to pay duty on each extra article.

There is also a list of goods which are prohibited to carry through the border (so-called the Prohibited Articles List). According to this list such things as gold, silver, valuables, pieces of art, weapon, drugs and some others are prohibited to carry through the border.

At the Hotel. If you have made a hotel reservation in advance, on arrival you have to confirm your reservation at the reception desk. The receptionist will give you a registration form to fill in and sign (the form is filled in block letters).

At large hotels you may ask for any service by telephone. You tell the telephone operator if you want to be called at a certain time; you call room service when you want a meal or drinks or if you need something (e.g.: to clean or iron your suit or your dress).

LANGUAGE PRACTICE

Travel, journey or trip? The general activity of moving from place to place is travel. E.g.: He came home after years of foreign travel. If a person moves from place to place over a period of time we speak of travels. E.g.: Did you go to Rome during your travels? A journey is the time spent and the distance covered in going from one particular place to another. E.g.: It was a long journey by train. A trip is a short journey, especially for pleasure or for a particular purpose. E.g.: I think, I’ll take a trip to see him. He is going to have a business trip to Japan.

Exercise 1. Complete each sentence with one of the words: travel, trip or journey.

1. Thank you for visiting us, have a safe … home.

2. How was your … to London last weekend? Did you have a good time?

3. When we were in London, we went on a sightseeing … round the city.

4. I … a lot for my business deals.

5. How many business … do you make every year, on average?

6. How long does the … to Brighton take by train?

7. It was a very long … , because there was a lot of traffic on the road.

Exercise 2. Match the words in the box.

visa foreign insurance driving credit travel plane traveller’s car

cheques department licence documents ticket agent rental company currency card

Exercise 3. Complete each sentence 1-8 with an ending a) - h).

1. Please take a seat until 2. They won’t accept our order unless 3. Helen wants to see you before 4. You won’t see Helen. By the time she arrives 5. As soon as Helen arrives 6. I can’t wait! This time next week I’ll 7. I’ll have a suntan next time we meet! I’ll 8. Sorry about this. In a few moments I’ll

a) you leave b) Dr Rihal is ready to see you. c) you’ll have left. d) we give a bank guarantee. e) have finished and we can talk. f) I’ll ask her to phone you. g) have just come back from Greece. h) be lying on a beach in Greece.

Exercise 4. Peter Eliot is welcoming Bob Watson, a visitor from Toronto, Canada. Read the conversation. What questions do you think they asked?

Peter: Watson? How do you do.

Mr. Watson: How do you do, Mr. Eliot.

Peter: Do come into my office. Did you have any problems finding us?

Mr. Watson: No, none at all. I walked here. My hotel is only a few minutes away.

Peter: Oh, really? Which (1)………………………………?

Mr. Watson: I’m staying at The Garrick. It’s in King Street. Do you know it?

Peter: I know the name. What (2) ………………………………….?

Mr. Watson: Oh, it’s very pleasant. I always stay there when I come to London. I like the fact that it’s small and friendly.

Peter: How often (3) ………………………………………?

Mr. Watson: Quite often. Four or five times a year. What about you? (4)………………?

Peter: Yes, I do quite a lot of traveling – mostly in Europe, but I go to Canada and the States as well – about two or three times a year.

Mr. Watson: That’s interesting (5) …………………………?

Peter: No, I’ve never been to Toronto, but I had a wonderful holiday on Vancouver Island not long ago.

Mr. Watson: Really? That’s where I was born. I lived there until I was twenty. Which (6) …………………………………….

Exercise 5. Complete these conversations. Use the phrases in the box.

Fine. I’ll pay by Visa, then. For one night. I’d like to book a single room. Do you accept Visa cards?

For Tuesday 5 May. I’d like to pay my bill, please. Could you give me an early morning call? You have a reservation for me.

***

Receptionist: Riverside Hotel. Good afternoon. How can I help you?

Caller: Hello. (1) …………………………………………………………………

Receptionist: Yes, certainly. When is that for?

Caller: (2) ………………………………………………………………………..

Receptionist: And for how long?

Caller: (3) ………………………………………………………………………...

Receptionist: One night. Could I have your name, please, madam?

Caller: Yes, it’s Helen Barnes.

Receptionist: Fine. I’ll reserve the room for you right now.

Caller: Thank you very much.

***

Guest: Hello. My name’s Helen Barnes (4) ……………………………………….

Receptionist: Oh, yes. Good evening, Mrs Barnes. Welcome to the Riverside Hotel. Could you fill in this form, please?

Guest: Sure.

Receptionist: Please could you sign here? Thank you. Here’s your key.

Guest: Thanks (5) ……………………………………………………….

Receptionist: Yes, of course. At what time?

Guest: At 6.15, please.

***

Guest: Good morning. (6) ……………………………………………………

Receptionist: Certainly, madam. Just a moment, please. Did you have anything from the mini- bar?

Guest: No, nothing.

Receptionist: Fine, here’s your bill.

Guest: Thank you.

Receptionist: How would you like to pay?

Guest: (7) ………………………………………………………………………

Receptionist: Yes, we do.

Guest: (8) ……………………………………………………………………….

Exercise 6. Complete the Word Map using the words in the box. What other words can you add into each category?

a) to reserve a room	g) business computer(PC)	m) swimming pool
b) departure lounge	h) to confirm a reservation	n) translation service
c) duty-free shop	i) to take off	o) electronic safe
d) baggage claim	j) customs	p) supermarket
e) satellite TV	k) foreign newspapers	q) fitness room
f) check-in-desk	l) land	r) bath

Exercise 6. Work in pairs. Do the AROUND THE WORLD quizes. Test your knowledge of international customs and etiquette with the quizes. Circle the answer you think is correct. Then check your answer with the Answer Key. Give yourself one mark for each correct answer.

Quiz 1

1. China

You’re invited to someone’s house. Which of these may cause offence?

1. Blowing your nose.

2. Refusing an offer of food.

3. Not removing your shoes before entering.

2. Saudi Arabia

You want to hire a car to tour the country. Is this permitted?

1. Yes, but you must take a test first.

2. Yes, but only if you’re male.

3. No – tourists have to travel by camel.

3. Finland

You’re planning to relax in A Finnish sauna. What should you wear?

1. Nothing.

2. A toweling robe.

3. A bath hat.

4. Nepal

While traveling you want to photograph local villagers. Is this allowed?

1. Yes – the Nepalese love being photographed.

2. No – their religion forbids it.

3. Yes, but you must ask permission first.

5. Cyprus

On a village tour, a local offers you glycol. Should you

1. Eat it – it’s a dessert.

2. Ride it – it’s a type of bicycle.

3. Wear it – it’s a traditional hat.

6. Morocco

You’d like to visit some mosques but are you allowed to go inside?

1. Yes, but you have to take your shoes off.

2. Yes, you don’t have to take your shoes off.

3. You mustn’t enter unless you’re a Moslim.

7. Sweden

You go out for a meal. How many glasses of wine can you drink before driving back to your hotel?

1. Two.

2. Any amount – there are no drink-driving laws.

3. None.

8. Spain

You’d like to sample the local cuisine. How late can you eat?

1. You have to finish your meal by 9 p.m. Restaurants close early.

2. Spanish restaurants stay open all night.

3. You can eat very late. Spaniards often eat after 11 p.m.

9. Thailand

On a bus, the only free seat is next to a Buddhist monk. Should you take it?

1. Yes, but only if you’re male.

2. Buddhist monks aren’t allowed to travel by bus.

3. Yes, but you must bow first.

10. Italy

You’d like to visit the duomo (cathedral) on a hot day. To show respect, what should you cover?

1. Your guidebook.

2. Your thighs and shoulders.

3. Your head and ears.

11. USA

While peacefully drinking a can of beer in Central Park, you are approached by the police. Why?

1. It’s forbidden to drink alcohol in Central Park.

2. You’re required to use a glass or straw.

3. You aren’t allowed to drink alcohol in Central Park unless the can is covered.

12. Singapore

You offer a piece of chewing gum to your tour guide. Why does she look shocked?

1. Because chewing gum is forbidden by law.

2. Because tour guides aren’t allowed to accept gifts.

3. Because chewing gum is given to animals.

13. India

An Indian friend invites you to a traditional meal. How should you eat?

1. With your left hand only.

2. With your right hand only.

3. With both hands.

14. Japan

You’re staying in a Japanese hotel and decide to relax in a traditional, shared bath. What shouldn’t you do in the bath tub?

1. You shouldn’t stay too long.

2. You shouldn’t talk to other bathers.

3. You shouldn’t wash yourself.

Quiz 2

1. Which should you never offer a Moslem to eat?

1. Beef

2. Pork

2. What do you have to do before you go into a mosque?

1. Put on white clothes

2. Take off your shoes

3. At a traditional meal in India, you should eat:

1. only with your right hand

2. only with your left hand

4. In a Buddhist country, you shouldn’t:

1. pat a child’s head

2. hold hands with a child

5. Which shouldn’t you do in Japan?

1. Take off your jacket before a meal

2. Blow your nose in public

6. Which is banned in Singapore?

1. Alcohol

2. Chewing gum

7. Which color is worn at a traditional Chinese funeral?

1. Black

2. White

8. The usual way of greeting people in Japan is:

1. shaking hands

2. bowing

9. What do Italians do at midnight on New Year’s Eve?

1. Throw old things out of the windows

2. Sit on the floor and hold hands

10. If you’re invited to a meal in Brazil, you should arrive:

1. shortly before the stated time

2. some time after the stated time

11. On holiday in Spain, you are invited to go on a paseo. Is this:

1. a walk

2. a picnic

12. In Russia, what do you do before going on an important journey?

1. kiss your hat

2. sit in silence for a short time

13. Which flowers should you never take to a dinner party in Poland?

1. Carnations

2. Chrysanthemums

3. Tulips

14. In Britain, what do superstitious people touch for luck?

1. Iron

2. Wood

3. Glass