19 de noviembre de 2011
13 de noviembre de 2011
How To Make a Proper Introduction
Something people often ask me is how do you properly give an introduction in a business setting.
So here is my two - step golden rule to proper introductions.
First, always remember the first person's name out of your mouth should be the most important person's name.
Thereafter, everyone else is introduced to that most important person.
But actually, rank and status are the primary determinants to who takes precedence over whom.
When introducing someone, never use the word "meet".
For example, Jane Doe is the CEO of a company and John Smith is a new staff person.
You would never want to say, "Jane Doe, I would like you to meet John Smith."
...because it actually throws the emphasis off the most important person on to that second person, John Smith.
Rather, if you want an informal introduction, how about using the word, "This is."
Example, "Jane Doe, this is John Smith."
When using the more traditional word "introduce," be careful not to get too wordy.
For instance, which of these three sentences is correct?
Is it
b) Ms. Doe, may I introduce to you Mr. Smith.
or c) Jane Doe, may I introduce you to John Smith.
If you chose a or b, you would be correct.
However, a is the best answer because it uses the fewest words.
So here are a few other tips to keep in mind when introducing someone.
Always keep the honorifics even.
If you use Ms. Doe, you must use Mr. Smith.
However, you can use first names such as Jane or John,...
...but in this case you must include their last name as well.
And lastly, do share some information about each person you're introducing...
...so that they can springboard their conversation and you can exit to meet some other people.
So there you have it, some quick tips on proper introductions.
Happy practicing.
Featured Words
9 de octubre de 2011
Search for Common Ground
25 de septiembre de 2011
Language in the UK
The predominant spoken language is English, but in parts of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland their native language is still spoken.
What newcomers to the UK might find confusing are the numbers of different regional accents and dialects which can on occasions be difficult to understand, even for native English speakers!
It is possible in the early days of your stay in the UK, that you’ll need some assistance in interpreting or translating English into your preferred language. Interpretation services are often available locally and details of where and how to access them are normally available from your local authority or Citizens Advice Bureau.
New York's Pennsylvania Station
And now, we leave you an Amtrak TV commercial. Amtrak is the National Railroad Passenger system from the United States whcih serves Penn Station along with other bus companies.
14 de septiembre de 2011
American Breakfast - Yummy!!!!!!!!
...but what have you got?
Sausage pattie, fried egg, ham, bacon, baked beans.
Instead of the beans I got grits and ...
What are grits?
Grits? That’s a very good question. It’s oatmeal, couscous, you know a type of grain
It’s a type of grain
That doesn’t look grainy it looks mushy.
Yeah well they cook it for like I don’t know, 20 minutes. Yeah it’s kind of like porridge.
This is Eggs Benedict. It is egg, ham on English muffins with Hollandaise sauce. This is fruit and baked beans.
But you are a US citizen, so you voted or?
I voted absentee for Illinois.
And how did you vote in the election?
Democrat. Democrat for Obama.
Maybe you could just tell me what your breakfast is there.
Belgian waffles and coffee.
And this is a typical breakfast for you?
If I’m eating out…yes. I’ll have cereal at home, but I like waffles.
How about the election? Are you excited?
I’m nervous, nervous yes. Pro Obama, so it’s looking good for him right now. He’s intelligent, he’s thoughtful.
Can you see the result from there?
I think it’s 102 -34.
Who would you vote for?
I think he’s Obama. He looks quite decent and gentleman.
What did you have for your breakfast?
I started off with a fluffy pancake and some maple syrup. Then I had some crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, mushrooms and tomatoes.
Is that what you usually have when you come in here?
I usually have it on election days …yes. I’d definitely vote for Obama – OBAMA! America is very important and it’s crucial that we have a decent guy in there. It’s very emotional that he’s black and that’s powerful. I don’t think a lot of people who are in their forties and fifties thought there was ever going to be a black man in the White House. So that’s fantastic. So all those things are good, they will make a difference, they will matter. I’m going to cry when he wins, I am because for me it’s deeply moving.
Obama.
Can you tell me, is it because he’s sexy?
He’s sexier than John McCain…definitely. But erm no because I like his politics. He’s gonna develop green technology, he’s a bigger supporter of education. All those things. Bagels and lox, with tomato, onion, capers, sour cream.
Wow that looks great actually. I’m waiting for lemon.
She got a sandwich that’s already assembled. Mine is just not assembled which I prefer. Thin layer of cream cheese, tomato, couple of capers, onion, salmon, salt and pepper.
So it is in fact almost exactly the same?
Yes, but he got eggs too. And one key difference is she has two, the whole bagel whereas I only have half.
Did you vote?
Of course, of course.
Everybody here voted or everyone we talked to, everyone professes to be pro Obama.
But no this is a pro Obama outlet….hence the blue. No…
Oh yes woo, yes
He’s just got to keep up his end of the bargain.
What’s that?
Change baby change!
Who’d like a bloody Mary on the house?
16 de agosto de 2011
How to understand the differences between British and American English
Man: Hey! Nice pants!
Woman: Excuse me?
Man: I said nice pants.
Woman: You can’t see my pants, can you?
Man: Of course I can.
Woman: How can you see my pants?
Man: They’re on your legs!
Woman: Ha. You haven’t been to America recently, have you?
Man: Oh I er …I er actually just got back from LA! That’s “Los Angeles” by the way....
Woman: I know.
Man: Yeah, I picked up some of the American words, and now I forget which ones to use! So confusing!
Woman: We call these “trousers” in Britain.
Man: Of course we do...you know there are so many things …that’s it’s exactly a completely different language sometimes!
Woman: Really?
Man: Yeah!
Woman: Would you like a crisp?
Man: Crisps? In the States, they’re “chips”!
Woman: Oh. So if I want to order our chips in America, what do I ask for?
Man: French fries!
Woman: I see.
Man: And you know what that is, don’t you?
Woman: A fizzy drink.
Man: That’s a “soda”!
Woman: Hmm…
Man: You know the lift over there?
Woman: Yeah?
Man: That’s an elevator.
Woman: Oh really?
Man: You know in the States, you don’t go to watch a film...
Woman: You “watch a movie”!
Man: Exactly! And you don’t walk on the pavement…
Woman: You walk on the “sidewalk”!
Man: You got it!
Woman: I’ve watched a lot of films...oops...movies!