Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Meeting People
Meeting People
Aim: to be able to start, continue, and end a simple conversation when meeting people
Lesson Learning Outcomes:
You are able to:
1. understand various English greeting expressions and apply them
2. understand various ways to introduce self and others and apply them
3. understand various ways to make small talk and apply them
4. understand various ways of parting and apply them
You need to note that slang is very informal and should be used with people you know very well.
They will be not appropriate for work meeting or to use in any official work events. One more thing is
that slang is regional. It may be accepted in some places but not in others.
Introducing Self and Getting to Know Each Other
Introducing yourself to strangers can be tricky because what you say depends on the context and
situation.
Information How to Ask How to Respond
Name What’s your name? My name is … / I’m ...
Could you tell me your name? My full / first / last name is …
May I know your name? My nick name is …
How should I call you? People call me ... / Everyone calls me …
You can call me … / Please call me ...
(Dave) for short.
Origin Where were you born? I was born in ...
Where do you come from? I come from ...
Where are you from? I’m (originally) from … (country)
I am … (nationality)
Address Where do you live? I live in / on / at …
What’s your address? My address is …
I grew up in …
Occupation What do you do? I am a / an ...
What is your job? I work for a / an …
What do you do for a living? I work as a / an …
What line of work are you in? I earn my living as a …
I’m looking for a job.
I’m unemployed. / I’m retired.
Education What school do you go to? I’m a student at …
I go to ... / I study at … / I’m at …
What department are you majoring I take … / I study … / I’m majoring …
in? I was graduated from …
Where were you graduated from?
Phone number What’s your phone number? It’s (022) 835 7461
e-mail address Can I get your e-mail address? It’s gero.nimo8@gmail.com
Note that asking about someone’s age or marital status in the first meeting is often considered
impolite. However, you can pack your questions in such a way that it will not sound rude or offended.
I don’t mean to be rude, but may I know how old you are?
I’m sorry if this may make you a little uncomfortable, but have you married?
Introducing Others
When you introduce people, the most important and trickiest part can be to figure out who should be
introduced to whom, based on rank and authority.
If the people you are introducing are:
- same age range and same gender: it doesn’t matter whose name you say first
- same age range but different gender: say the female’s name first
- different age range: say the older person’s name first
- if one person is a VIP: say the VIP’s name first
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- if one person is in the higher rank in a company / organization: say his / her name first
The Titles
The titles Mr. Mrs. Ms. and Miss are usually used in formal situations. They are used to show respect.
Those titles are commonly attached to complete name, such as Mr. Aaron Adams, or to last name,
such as Mr. Adams. The title used for a married woman is Mrs., followed by her husband’s last name.
Meanwhile, an unmarried woman uses Ms. or Miss followed by her father’s last name. These titles
cannot be used without name attached behind them, except for Miss.
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That basketball game yesterday had me glued to my seat. Wasn’t that a great
save at the very end?
the workplace Morning. I’m really looking forward to the party after work today. I hear
Pam brought her famous carrot cake!
What a busy day. This is the first time I’ve gotten up from my seat all day!
Are you busy too?
observations I love your shoes today. They really pull your outfit together.
Did you see? They finally fixed the light in the break room. It’s been broken
for almost a month!
common interest My cousin mentioned you last night. I didn’t know you knew her. Where did
you meet?
I noticed your hat as a Yankees logo. Are you a fan of baseball too?
questions Hey, I heard you were thinking of adopting a new dog. Did you find one?
Your hair always looks great. What hair products do you use?
Parting
There are different expressions or phrases to say goodbye. These parting phrases depend on situations
and the people involved, their social status and personal relationship.
Leaving and saying goodbye All right, everyone, it’s time to head off.
Anyway, guys I’m going to make a move.
Ok, everyone, it’s time to leave.
See you later / tomorrow / soon.
Talk to you later.
If you want to say goodbye I’m sorry, I’ve got to rush off / run / hurry!
in a hurry I’m afraid I’m going to have to rush off.
Saying goodbye to your Thanks very much for dinner / lunch – it was lovely!
hosts Thank you very much for having me.
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Peace! / Peace out!
WORKSHEET
A. Answer these questions!
1. You meet your lecturer in the corridor at 9 a.m. How do you greet him?
2. You call your director’s secretary at 1 p.m. How do you greet her?
3. What do you say to your new business partners when they are going to leave?
4. What do you say when you are introduced to a new employee at office?
5. What do you say to your parents when you want to go to bed?
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C. What would you say in these following topics of small talk?
1.
2. Your best friend
3. The last film you saw
4. Pets
5. Jazz concert
6. Learning a language
7. Hobby
8. Sport
9. Recent natural disaster in your country
10. The new boss
11. Office annual party
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