New York

Life in New York is fast and dynamic. Some people say that we’re rude. I don’t mean to be rude- I just don’t have much time for being polite! Work starts early in the morning- breakfast meetings start at 7 a.m. - don’t be late! Most people dress in suits for business- it’s important to look smart. A lot of people eat at their desk at lunchtime. But if we go to a restaurant, we talk business right through lunch. We don’t talk about the food. People are very completive and work always comes first!

Answer the questions according to the text:

1. What does the word “etiquette” mean?

2. What do we do in formal situations?

3. In which city…

a)…do people like to be informal?

b)….are people very competitive?

c)….are things changing?

Exercises:

Complete the sentences with the correct from of the present simple or continuous.

1. Mark is a market research assistant: he (analyse) ______market data.

2. Today is a holiday and Mark isn’t in the office. He (play) ______ football.

3. Mark (play) ______football twice a week.

4. Currently, Mark and his colleagues (work) ______on a special project.

5. They (conduct) _____market research for a new sports magazine called Goal!

6. Young men (read) ______the magazine.

7. Goal! Has a problem at the moment: Not many people (buy) _____the magazine.

8. Mark thinks that this is because men (not read) ______magazine very often.

2) Which offer or request 1-6 matches both responses a-f?

1. Would you like a cup of tea?

2. Let me show you our new offices.

3. Can I post your letters for you?

4. Could you give me Jon’s number, please?

5. Would you please give me some water?

6. Could I use your office this afternoon?

a. Just a glass of water, please.

b. Don’t worry, I can do it myself.

c. Yes. Just a moment, it’s on the database.

d. It’s a bit difficult. Jackie’s using it.

e. Yes, that’s no problem.

f. Thank you. That would be very interesting.

Choose the correct variants.

A. Good afternoon. Could you/ Do you want to give me some/ an information about flights to Lisbon, please? I like to/ I’d like to travel on Monday morning at 8 if possible.

B. Monday. OK. Let me/ Can you check.

A. There aren’t any/ some flights at 8, but there’s an/ some earlier flight at 6: 30.

B. How much does that cost/ is that cost?

A. 750 Euros.

B. That’s much/ a lot! Do you have/ Are you having any cheaper flights/

A. Sorry, not then. There’s a flight at 15: 30 on Sunday which costs/ is costing 280 Euros.

B. Can I/Let me get a seat on that flight?

A. Yes – but there’s only one seat left! Do you want to/ Do you like to book it?

B. Well, I wait/ I’m waiting to hear from my colleague.

A. I would/ could hold it for you, if you like.