Task 3. Complete the texts about topics to avoid and topics to discuss for business people. Retell them in 2 - 3 sentences.
Date: 2015-10-07; view: 460.
Task 2. Match the idioms with their corresponding definitions.
| 1. to lay everything out on the table | a. to give the essential relevant fact |
| 2. a bottom line | b. to include everything into the agenda |
| 3. to beat around the bush | c. an eventual result |
| 4. to get to the point | d. to avoid discussing directly |
| misunderstanding love respect common business entertainment polite spouse talk personal |
Taboos: don't go there
The two main subjects that Americans agree not to discuss much in 1_____________ conversation are 1: politics and 2: religion. That is because they are areas where people have deep-rooted beliefs that are not easily changed, and there is a great potential for 2________________ or hurt feelings, besides the fact that outside of church or a political rally, many people view them as unrelated to the whatever task you have on your plate at the time.
Besides this, avoid criticizing the US, US culture, Americans in general or US policy, even if they have recently invaded your country. Americans for the most part deeply 3______________ their country and may be offended and confused by comments that do not reflect a similar love and 4______________, and may take the comments personally.
Topics to talk about
There are certain topics that are 5___________ to talk about in casual business situations. Feel free to talk about the rich, sports, 6________________ like movies, music, celebrities and books, and current events or 7______________ trends. Try to keep things general and not too 8___________. Nobody wants to know about your grandmother or problems with your 9___________. When in doubt, 10___________ business.