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Business executives and all other professionals have to attend formal business lunches and dinners as a part of formal business routines from time to time. Many persons find these situations with a feeling of a bit of discomfort. That is mainly because of the air of formality in such lunches and dinners. One is expected to observe certain sets of etiquette and manners in these formal parties. To feel at ease and confident, one should learn these dining etiquette and table manners.

A formal dinner always seems to intimidate people. Amateurs or those experiencing this for the first time are often found to be hesitant and seem to be at loss. However, if one follows a certain set of rules and remembers certain things, he/she can confidently face business dinners without being nervous.

Wang： I feel confused about starting and having conversations at a company party because I don’t know if it’s best to treat them in a more personal or a more business way in terms of topics.

Eric： Considering it’s the party of a company, starting a conversation talking about business related topics is perfectly OK： the job, the latest business projects and the company.

Wang： I see. Then I just have business matters to deal with as our company is doing business with them recently.

Eric： But you have to keep in mind that it is a party after all and people attending it often like to forget about business for a while.

For this reason, it’s best not to talk about professional stuff the whole time and eventually make the transition to personal topics. It is also fine to use some conversation starters that take the conversation directly to personal topics.

Wang： I will try to do as you told me. I would appreciate it very much if you could provide me with some specific ideas.

Eric： As a matter of fact, a lot of smart ideas can be used to start a conversation in a business party. For example, “How’s work going for you?” is a simple, straightforward, work related conversation starter which works great, unless the other person is very shy or hates their work.

Eric： You could also ask about specific projects you will work on with questions such as “What projects have you been working on lately?” or “How is project X going?” If you feel that it is not appropriate to mention work related topics, a few words to give a compliment will do. And it can be about the person’s choice of clothes for the party, their recent promotion, their success in a challenging project, anything you can honestly compliment.

Wang： It sounds quite good and I feel less uneasy. You are really a conversational wizard.

Eric： Ah, it is not that difficult as you thought. By the way, don’t forget to make a comment about company parties—every person who has attended at least a couple of them has some thoughts about them. Don’t be afraid to admit you find most company parties boring but you hope this one will be fun. This can be a good way to build some rapport.

Wang： I will remember that. Could I ask about family if I cannot keep the conversation going?

Eric： If you like to talk about family, do use conversation starters like“Married?/Kids?/Plans in this area?” Many people enjoy talkingabout their family; it’s a very warm topic.

Wang： It is by no means an easy job to be a good conservationist in a business party.

Eric： Don’t worry; these are just some ideas to show you. I’m sure you can find many more good conversation starters for a company party as long as you understand the basic principle. Good luck and remember to enjoy the ride.

Ms. Wang is accompanying Mr. Smith at the dinner as they will be potential business partners.

Wang： Mr. Smith, how is your job now here in China?

Smith： It is quite good as I am here to live and work with very hospitable Chinese. I am pretty interested in the food here. As the saying goes, “east and west, Chinese food is the best”. But compared with the feast here today in this party with much seafood and greasy stuff, I prefer to have more delicious local food in your place.

Wang： Ah, the most famous one, I bet you know it, is called Yang Rou Pao Mo (shredded bread in mutton soup).

Smith： Yeah, I know it is a tasty Xi’an Specialty and it is good to be served with pickled garlic clove.

Wang： Woo, I thought you might not like it as some visitors and new comers are not used to it.

Smith： Not at all, I love it very much and I also like to eat Liang Pi(cold noodles) and I know that it is a common daily food to people here, especially to girls.

Wang： I cannot believe it that you know so much only in such a short time.

Smith： Actually, more than that. I have been to so many places in China and more delicious Liang Pi is always something hard to be

found in other provinces. En… I do have a question about one of my favorite noodles here and I am curious of its name.

Wang： We call it Biang Biang Mian, which is like a belt, due to the thickness and length. It was once poor-man’s meal in the countryside, but is now popular even in trendy restaurants because of its unique character name; I can help you learn how to write it if you are patient enough, hahaha...

Smith： All right, thank you very much and I think we need to get something to eat.

Smith： These dishes on this buffet at the party look fabulous. How colorful and fragrant, and I bet they are delicious, and so beautifully presented.

Smith： Yeah. The buffet is splendid. At this point, I’d like to propose a toast to others here today at this dinner, would you like to join me?

Wang： Do you have any plan this evening, Mr. Smith?

Smith： Nothing in particular.

Wang： If you like, I will take you to a famous Music and Dance Show.

Smith： That would be wonderful. Thank you. But I’m afraid I’ll have some difficulty in understanding it. Would you please tell me something about it beforehand?

Wang： Sure. Well, it is considered as an exciting performing art of singing and dancing of Tang dynasty, bringing you a colorful

Wang： The performance has been recreated in accordance with various historical records and ancient arts inherited from the very prosperous Tang Dynasty. During that time China experienced tremendous culture, artistic and technological achievements. Even now, modern Chinese culture owes much to the historical legacies of The Tang Dynasty.

Wang： The performance will be staged in four segments. The first performance is a Tang Dynasty instrumental. During the performance you will see various Chinese musical instruments which are no longer in use. This piece celebrates the appreciation of the people towards their Ruler who had brought peace, wealth and tranquility to the Kingdom. The second segment“CULTURAL DANCE SEGMENT” features four dances of different moods. The third presentation is entitled the RAINBOW COSTUME DANCE, a very famous dance from the Tang Dynasty. The final presentation is The Great Tang Rites and Music, a collective dance. This style of dance is an age-old tradition that was popular in the palaces as well as among the common people of the Tang period.

Smith： It sounds fantastic and I cannot wait to watch it. And I hope they would have a brochure of the play in English. Then I can have a better understanding of the play by knowing something about the plot.

Wang： I will pick you up at 6 o’clock and we will go to Tang Dynasty complex, which is specially designed to accommodate a world class theatre restaurant. it is also equipped with extensive

Wang： No, it is centrally located in Xi’an and only 2km south of the famous Bell Tower which is walking distance from your hotel.

intimidate vt. 恐吓，威胁；胁迫 compliment n. 恭维；称赞；道贺

1. You have to keep in mind that it is a party after all and people attending it often like to forget about business for a while.你要牢记在商务聚会的时候，大家经常喜欢暂时将生意抛在脑后。Keep in mind that...将……记在心里。例如：What we must always keep in mind is that we must serve the people。我们应该经常牢记的是我们必须为人民服务。

2. If you feel that it is not appropriate to mention work related topics, a few words to give a compliment will do. 如果你觉得不大合适谈论和工作相关的话题，说一些赞美之词也不错。do这里有“be sufficient, satisfactory in quality or quantity”之意。例如：This will just do fine. 这个可以。

3. conversational wizard. 意为很会说话的人。例如：How I wish I could become a conversational wizard as I often experience sudden blankness where I find it difficult to express myself.

4. Could I ask about family if I cannot keep the conversation going?如果没什么聊的话，我可以谈论一些和家庭有关的话题吗？Keep (…) going 意为：继续……

5. Good luck and remember to enjoy the ride。祝你好运，玩的开心点。Ride：（短途）旅行。此处指享受这个餐会。又如：“The best approach is to just kick back and enjoy the ride.”最好的感看方法就是坐下来享受这一切。

6. Chinese cuisine places stress on color, smell, taste and form. 中国的菜肴特别强调色、香、味和形。cuisine 不同于 cook. cuisine指的是烹饪传统和做法，往往与特定的文化联系起来。它往往指某区域或地方的菜系，强调文化存在。

7. Modern Chinese culture owes much to the historical legacies of The Tang Dynasty。唐代文化给中国文化留下了深远的影响。Owe to...归功于……。例如：We owe all our achievements to the correct leadership of the Party. 我们的一切成就都应归功于党的正确领导。

3) It is by no means an easy job to be a good conservationist in a business party.

2) I would appreciate it very much if you could provide me with some specific ideas.

4) We will never accommodate ourselves to acts of aggression and intervention out of consideration for our relations with the power in question.

5) Do you have an apartment available within walking distance of the university?

1) 只要了解了一些基本的原则，我相信你可以在商务聚会上找到很好的开场白。

1) What do you think is the best way to strike up a conversation in a business party? State the reasons.

2) Do you think it is appropriate to talk all the time about business or non-business topics in a business party?

3) Can you introduce a cultural phenomenon of your hometown, for instance, food or performance?

Find a partner and act the following roles according to the situation described：

You are Mr./Ms Li, a business person from China

1) Strike up a conversation by offering some drinks.

2) Comment on the party and compliment on the other party’s dress.

3) Exchange contact means and wish for further communication.

You are Mr./Ms Bruce, a business person from America

1) Show willingness to talk and introduce your job.

2) Show your joy and brief on your life and job in China.

3) Exchange contact means and wish for further communication.

One is expected to follow certain codes of conduct right from arrival, dinner to departure. Here are business dinner etiquette tips：

The rules and etiquettes for a business dinner begin right from the time you arrive as a guest or a host to the event. The following are the simple rules that one should keep in mind as business dining etiquette.

● Arriving on the scheduled time is very important during a formal function. If you are the host, it is advisable to reach the venue earlier to check the arrangement and the menu.

● If you are going to be late as a guest, call up the host and inform him well in advance.

● As a guest, do not ever get a gift or flowers for the host during a formal dinner.

● The gentlemen are always expected to escort the ladies and also help her remove coats or raincoats and pass them to the attendants.

● The host is required to assist the guests in sitting arrangement or inform them where they need to be seated.

● The guests, on the other hand, should not be seated before they have been informed about the sitting arrangement. However, they can be seated in case there are placards placed on tables.