Episode two international Business

Mr. Boden meets Dmitry in а Piano Bar. Later Mr. Ticoll joins them. They discuss peculiarities of doing business in different countries.

Dmitry: Hi, John. Nice to see you again.

John: Hello, Dmitry. May I offer you а drink.

What would you like to drink?

Dmitry: Gin and tonic for те.

John: (to the barman): Gin and tonic for my friend

and I'11 have whisky on the rocks.

Dmirry and John: Cheers!

* * *

John: I thought you only drink vodka in Russia.

Dmitry: I'm not in Russia now. Your proverb says «When in

Rome, dо as the Romans dо. »

John: We've got to learn а lot about our countries.

Frank Ticoll enters the Bar.

John: Here is our friend Ticoll comes. Frank, would you like to join us? We are speaking about the cultural diffe­rences.

Frank: Oh, it sounds interesting. I've just returned from China. You simply can't imagine how difficult it is to do bu­siness in China.

Dmitry: What's so special about China?

Frank: You can never tell when they agree or disagree. Display­ing one's emotions publicly in China is considered undignified.

John: We, Americans, are different. We are frank and open.

Frank: And we are not so strickt about protocol and appearances.

Dmitry: What do you mean, Frank?

Frank. I'll show you. Take my business card, for example.

Dmitry takes his business card, reads it and puts it into his pocket.

Frank: A-ha! Just what I expected! And if you were in China, you would have to bow slightly when accepting a bu­siness card with both hands. You should immediately offer your own card (printed in English and Chinese) also using your both hands with a Chinese side fa­cing the recipient.

John: Frank, when in China did you bow all the time or clench a deal in the end?

Frank: Yes, I clenched a very good one! Chinese are known to negotiate relations and connections rather that contracts.

Dmitry: I have a feeling we, Russians, have much in common with Chinese.

John: Dmitry, will you be my wide in the world of Russian business?

Dmitry: Yes, of course, with pleasure.

Business vocabulary

Accept v. (a business card) Бpaть (визиткy)

Deal Cдeлкa

Clench a ~ Зaключить

Offer v. (a business card) Пpeдлaгaть

Negotiate v. Becти пepeгoвopы

a contract Oбcyждaть кoнтpaкт

Print v. Пeчaтaть

International Business. Review

I. Who joined Dmitry Volkov and Johnny Boden in а Piano Bar?

2. Who offered Dmitry а drink?

3. Do you know а Russian equivalent of an English proverb «When in Rome до as Romans dо»?

4. What were Dmitry and John speaking about when Frank Ticoll entered the Bar?

5. Did Frank Ticoll visit China, Chad or Chile?

6. How did John Boden characterize his fellow Americans?

7, How до they exchange business cards in China?

8. Did Frank Ticoll clench а good deal?

9. Did he enjoy his trip to China?

10. Whose guide is Dmitry going to be in the world of Russian business?

Your own business

How до you usually entertain your business partners? Do you find it difficult to do business in Russia?

Do you know any keys to doing business in this country?

• Use the words and expressions from the dialogue to describe your most successful (unsuccessful) business trip.