Read the text .

The work week in Argentina is Monday through Friday, but executives in Argentina have very long days. Sometimes business meetings start at 8 pm, so dinner in Argentina usually starts after 10 pm.

In Argentina, business people finish work very late, but executives in the United States often start work very early. The usual business hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but many companies have “power breakfast” meetings early in the morning, at 6 or 7 a.m. These breakfast meetings are popular because managers can meet new clients and customers before the start of the usual business day.

In South Korea, the usual business hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Managers often have “business dinners” after work, sometimes just in a local coffee shop, but they rarely have “business breakfast”.

Exercise 162

How does the work week in Argentina differ from that of Russia? Give your ideas.

Exercise 163

Read and translate the text.

In the United States, executives like to be direct in business dealings. The expressions “Time’s money” and “Let’s get to the point” are part of the business culture. So in the USA, managers like direct discussions, including open disagreement and quick decisions. Having detailed plans and good technical knowledge are also keys to successful business relationships.

In Latin American countries, good plans and technical knowledge are important too, but you should make strong social relationships first.

Executives “do business with individuals, not companies”. In other words, managers like to do business with people they know and like, so making non-business “small talk” during meetings and going to social events are important from Mexico to Argentina.

In East Asian countries, politeness and respect for age and rank are very important for good business relationships. Perhaps the most important thing to remember in East Asia is never disagree openly with someone in a meeting. This can embarrass the other people and they will probably not trust you as a business partner.

Exercise 164

Discuss the Russian type of business relationship.

LESSON 13 УРОК 13

USUAL WORKING DAY ОБЫЧНЫЙ РАБОЧИЙ ДЕНЬ

Active vocabulary

Verbs

1. to start work - начать работу

2. to open the post - открыть почту

3. to go home - пойти домой

4. to come to work - прийти на работу

5. to make tea/coffee - приготовить чай/кофе

6. to send - посылать

7. to do the filing - подшивать документы

8. to travel/get to work - добираться на работу

9. to spend the day - проводить день

10. to come back - вернуться

11. to get up - вставать

12. to go to work - идти на работу

13. to go to bed - ложиться спать

14. to finish - заканчивать

15. to earn - зарабатывать

16. to describe - описывать

17. to leave - уходить

18. to have - иметь

Nouns

19. break - перерыв

20. thing - вещь, предмет, явление

Adverbs

21. usually - обычно

22. first - сначало

23. then - затем, потом

24. also - также

25. else - ещё

26. unless - если не

27. late - поздний, поздно

28. often - часто

29. always - всегда

30. seldom - редко

31. rarely - изредка

32. never - никогда

33. sometimes - иногда

34. hardly ever - едва ли

35. every day - каждый день

Exercise 165  (We Mean Business p 26)

Anne and Joy are in their office. They are talking about Joy’s daily routine. Listen to the tape, read the dialogue and translate.

Anne: How do you travel to work, Joy?

Joy: By tube and train. I catch the 8.28 train and I start work at 9.30

on the dot.

Anne: And how do you spend the day?

Joy: Well, in the morning I take shorthand and type letters.

Anne: What time is the coffee break?

Joy: Oh, I make coffee at about 11 o’clock.

Anne: And what about lunch?

Joy: I have an hour for lunch. I usually leave between 1.15 and 1.30.

In the afternoon I usually make telephone calls and send telexes

and faxes and do the photocopying.

Anne: And what time do you go home?

Joy: 5.30 unless I work late.