Business Lunches

Please refresh the page to get the latest updates.

Materials Daily News

Business Lunches

Advanced

Exercise 1

Useful Expressions

Thank you for meeting me here today.
It's nice to meet you at long last.
I appreciate you working me into your schedule.
I’ve heard so much about you!
I am looking forward to doing business with you.
We have mostly communicated through emails.
Speaking of which,...
...will join us shortly.
Shall we order?
Let’s get down to business.

Exercise 2

Dialogue Practice

Read the dialogue aloud with your tutor.

Mr. Smith invited Mr. Adachi for a business lunch, to introduce their new accountant to him and to discuss their future relationship.
	Mark Smith Mr. Adachi, thank you for meeting me here today. I really appreciate you working me into your schedule.
	Akio Adachi Nice to meet you in person at long last. I think we have mostly communicated through our secretaries and accountants.
	Mark Smith True. Speaking of which, I would like to introduce our new accountant that will take care of the things between our companies from now on. However, she seems to be a little bit late. But I'm sure that she will join us shortly.
	Akio Adachi Not that we are in a hurry. By the way, I heard that you have just returned from your vacation, how was it?
	Mark Smith Yes, it was great, I visited Hawaii for the first time. I really needed some time to relax and clear my mind, so I could come back to work fresh and rested.
	Akio Adachi Yes, we all need some time off to recharge our batteries. Shall we order some drinks while we're waiting?
	Mark Smith That's a good idea.
A few minutes later, Mr. Smith's accountant, Nina, joins them at the restaurant.
	Mark Smith Mr. Adachi, I would like to introduce to you our new accountant, Ms. Nina Roberts.
	Akio Adachi It is a pleasure to meet you. I am looking forward to doing business with you.
	Nina It's great to finally meet you, Mr. Adachi. I’ve heard so much about you! And I'm really sorry for being late, the traffic was terrible.
	Akio Adachi No problem, Ms. Roberts. I'm glad that you could make it.
	Mark Smith Okay, so, since we are all here now, and we don't have much time left, let's get down to business.

Check your understanding:

Why did Mr. Smith and Mr. Adachi meet for a business lunch?

What did the two of them talk about while waiting for Nina?

Why was Nina late for the meeting?

Exercise 3

Role Play

Role-play the following situation with your tutor.

Situation

Your company has changed suppliers. You are having a business lunch with the representative of the new supply company. This is your first time meeting with one another. Introduce each other and start a conversation. Your teacher will act as the representative. You may use the following expressions:

It's nice to meet you at long last.

I appreciate you working me into your schedule.

I‘ve heard so much about you.

I am looking forward to doing business with you.

Shall we order?

Exercise 4

Discussion

Have you ever been to a business lunch? How did it go?

Do you think lunches provide good opportunities to talk business? Why? Why not?

How is having a business lunch different from a standard meeting?

Are business lunches a common practice in your country? Why?