Talking Business

I

"I should like to speak to Mr. Grey."

"Have you an appointment?"

"No. But here is my card."

II

"Good morning, Mr. Grey. What can 1 do for you?"

"I've got a proposal to make. I think you know our firm."

"Yes, I do, but I've never had the pleasure of doing any business with you."

"Our firm has a great distributing business with branches in several countries. We suggest that you should act as our agents and handle our business in this country."

"What about the terms of payment and other conditions?"

"We propose to allow you 2.5% (two and a half per cent) commission on all business transacted."

"I think it would suit us, but I've got to consult my partners first."

III

"We wish to inform you, Mr. Brown, that we are ready to give you technical assistance in the construction of the project."

"I am glad to hear it. Let's discuss the terms in detail."

IV

"We've reached agreement on the main points: the cost of equipment, the terms of payment and the terms of delivery."

"Well, let's consider the matter settled."

V

"We have carefully studied your draft contract and we believe the terms could be acceptable. Only we'd like to clear up some points."

"What particular points would you like to clear up?"

"The main point is the price of the equipment. It seems too high. Could you make it lower?"

"My partners and I will look into the matter again and in a couple of days we'll be ready to resume our discussions."

VI

"You have received our claim, haven't you? You are responsible for the delay in commissioning the plant."

"I think I've got to give you some explanation. The matter is that you failed to deliver the right material in time and that delayed us for several days, so we decline your claim."

Vocabulary

card do business with smb. handle smb.'s business terms of payment (delivery, etc.) commission draft contract (resolution, etc.) claim commission smth. give an explanation to smb. deliver smth. delay smb. (smth.) decline smb.'s claim (an invitation, etc.)

зд. визитная карточка иметь деловые отношения с кем-л. вести чьи-л. дела условия оплаты (доставки и т. п.) комиссионное вознаграждение проект контракта (резолюции и т. п.) претензия вводить что-л. в эксплуатацию давать разъяснение кому-л. доставлять что-л. задерживать, мешать кому-л. сделать что-л. вовремя; задерживать, откладывать, заменять что-л. отклонять чью-л. претензию (приглашение т. п.)

JUST FOR FUN

1. Read the following utterance. Express your opinion about it.

The secret of economy is to live as cheaply the first few days after pay-day as you lived the last few days before.

II. Read and translate the following jokes. Choose the joke you like most and retell it to your friend.

***

An economical housewife was told that by using a certain stove she would safe half the quantity of coal.

“ Oh, that’s very good,” she said, “I’ll have two and save the whole lot.”

***

"Why have you written the word 'bank' in the middle of a sentence with a capital 'B'?" asked the teacher.

"Because my pa said a bank was no good unless it had a large capital."

***

“I will save you $1,000," said an adventurer.

“You mean to give your daughter $10000 as a marriage portion”

"Yes, I do."

"Well, sir, I will take her with $9,000."