© copyright 2011 by ingrid greenberg all rights reserved greetings

© Copyright 2011 by Ingrid Greenberg All Rights Reserved

www.esl-distance-learning.com

Greetings

Learning Objectives

Learner will be able to:• Identify and use appropriate business

greetings for– First time meetings.– Follow-up meetings.

• Speak common American names.• Prepare greetings for future meetings.

© Copyright 2011 Ingrid Greenberg All Rights Reserved.

Meeting someone new

In a business situation with Westerners, during the first time we meet someone new, we say “Hello.” Then we add a friendly statement: “It’s nice to meet you.” It’s important to create a friendly and respectful environment before you start to discuss business. Practice speaking the conversation with a partner below:

Partner A. Hello. It’s nice to meet you.

Partner B. Hello, It’s nice to meet you too.

© Copyright 2011 Ingrid Greenberg All

Rights Reserved.

Body Language

Speaking English is important, but there is something that is just as important: your body language. In a business situation, you want your body language to also “speak” for you. Answer these questions:

When you meet someone, • what do you do with your body?• do you make eye contact?• do you smile?• do you stand up and shake hands?


Shake HandsWesterners usually stand up to shake hands when they meet. Use your right hand to shake hands with the other person’s right hand. Even if you are left handed, you want to use your right hand because most people are right handed. You want to use a firm grip, but not too strong. If you are a man, you can shake hands with another man with more strength. If you are a man and you’re shaking hands with a woman, be more gentle. When you shake hands, pump your hand up and down 2 -3 times, then let go.


Culture Note


In some cultures, men and women do not shake hands. Be wise and learn about local customs with handshaking.

In class, ask each other about handshaking. Ask the female classmates if it’s okay to shake a man’s hand. And ask the male classmates if it is okay to shake a woman’s hand.

Eye Contact

Also, you want to look your new business client in the eyes and smile. We call this: “eye contact.” When you make eye contact, it sends a message that you are honest and you are eager to do business with this new person.


Smile

When you meet someone, a friendly smile is a great way to say you are happy to do meet this person and you’re ready to do business.


ReviewWhen you greet someone new:

1. Shake hands.2. Make eye contact.3. Say “Hello.”4. Smile.

Practice again with your partner. This time, remember to shake hands and make eye contact.

A. Hello. It’s nice to meet you.

B. Hello, It’s nice to meet you too.© Copyright 2011 Ingrid Greenberg All

Rights Reserved.

Names

You want to use the person’s name if you know it for a couple reasons. First, it’s a sign of respect. Second, it helps you remember their name.

Example:

A. Hello Susan. It’s nice to meet you.

B. Hello Bob, It’s nice to meet you too.

On the next slide, practice with your partner by using common American names for men and women.


Practice speaking greetings with a partner. Remember to make eye contact when you shake hands.

Hello

Women’s NamesAliceKarenLisaMargaritaMichelleNancy

Men’s NamesBenjaminBruceDavidMichaelRogerSteve

It’s nice to meet you.

It’s a pleasure to meet you.


Formal greetings. In the United States, business people often use first names for greetings because we often communicate in a casual, friendly style.

However, sometimes we use the formal titles such as:

Title Pronunciation Meaning

Mr. /mister/ A man, married or unmarried.

Mrs. /missiz/ A woman, married.

Miss /mis/ A woman, unmarried.

Ms. /miz/ A woman, married or unmarried.© Copyright 2011 Ingrid Greenberg All

Rights Reserved.

Reasons to use formal greetings.

You can use these greetings for several reasons:

1. When you meet someone who has a higher status, such as a supervisor or upper management.

2. When you meet someone and correspondence such as letters, emails, and announcements referred to him/her with a title.

3. When you meet someone from another country.4. When you’re not sure, it’s best to start by using a formal

greeting. And then let the new contact correct you.


When we use titles, we use the last names, not the first names.

Hello

Mr. SmithMrs. GreenMiss TaylorMs. GrangerMr. PetersMrs. HoMs. YamaguchiMiss SanchezMr. Rodriguez

It’s nice to meet you.

It’s a pleasure to meet you.

(c) Copyright Ingrid Greenberg 2008 All Rights Reserved.

Practice with a partner.


In personMany times you will meet someone in person after talking with them on the phone or email. In this case, we use additional phrases such as:

• in person• face-to-face

These phrases mean you are in the same room and you can shake hands.

A. Hello George. It’s nice to meet you in person.

B. Hello Mary. Yes, It’s nice to finally meet you face-to-face.


Write down the names of 10 people that you want to meet in the next year.


On the next slide, use these names to practice the conversation:

1. _______________2. _______________3. _______________4. _______________5. _______________

1. _______________2. _______________3. _______________4. _______________5. _______________

6. _______________7. _______________8. _______________9. _______________10. _______________


A. Hello __________. It’s nice to meet you.

B. Hello __________. It’s nice to meet you too.

Put the name of your future acquaintance here.

Put your name here.


A. Hello Danica. It’s nice to meet you.

B. Hello Ingrid. It’s nice to meet you too.

Quiz1. What is polite body language when you meet someone?

2. Why do we say someone’s name during a greeting?

3. Complete this sentence: “It’s nice….

See next slide for answers.


Quiz1. What is polite body language when you meet someone?

Shake hands and make eye contact.

2. Why do we say someone’s name during a greeting?

To show respect and to help remember their names.

3. Complete this sentence: “It’s nice….

…to meet you.”


Quiz

4. Complete this greeting: “It’s a …

5. What are four formal titles for greetings?

6. There are at least 4 reasons to use a formal greeting. Which answer below is NOT a reason to use a formal greeting:



Quiz

4. Complete this greeting: “It’s a …

…pleasure to meet you.”

5. What are four formal titles for greetings?

Mr., Miss, Mrs., Ms.6. There are at least 4 reasons to use a formal greeting. Which answer below is NOT a reason to use a formal greeting:

1. The new contact is a supervisor.2. Correspondence uses formal titles.3. The contact is from another country4. You’re not sure of contact’s status.5. Your friend. © Copyright 2011 Ingrid Greenberg All

Rights Reserved.

Quiz6. Answer. #5 is not correct. If it is your friend, you do not

need a title.

7. If you have talked on the phone with a client on Monday, and then you meet him or her at a conference on Friday, what are common expressions to add to your greeting?



Quiz6. Answer. #5 is not correct. If it is your friend, you do not

need a title.

7. If you have talked on the phone with a client on Monday, and then you meet him or her at a conference on Friday, what are common expressions to add to your greeting?

in personface – to – face

“It’s nice to meet you in person.”“It’s nice to meet you face to face.”


Extra Credit

Next time you meet someone in a business setting, be sure to use appropriate body language and correct greeting.


Thank you and enjoy learning English!

Good communications means success!

For more business English lessons, go to www.esl-distance-learning.com


© copyright 2011 by ingrid greenberg all rights reserved greetings

Documents

ingrid greenberg

shake handswesterners

business situation

new business client

persons right hand

friendly smile

eye contactalso

womans hand