entertaining business clients

5.6 Entertaining Business Clients 招待客户Hospitality 好客，殷勤
Treat 宴请，款待，请客
Informal 非正式的，不拘礼节的
Individual 独特的，有特性的
Jacket 短上衣
For the sake of 为了…好处
Dress up 盛装，打扮
Posture （身体的）姿势，体态
Local fllavour 地方风味
Slight 粗暴对待，轻视，藐视
Rigid 固执的，严格的
Blunder 大错，失误
Gourmet 美食家，能品尝食物和美酒的行家
Show sb. Around 带领某人参观……
Profile 简介，简要描述
Bring up 提出，引出
Inopportune 不合时宜的，不合适的
Peking Opera 京剧
Reserved 矜持的，缄默的
Hustle and bustle 拥挤，喧闹
Get down to 开始认真考虑…开始认真做…Transaction 事物、业务、交易
Places of cultural and historical interest 文化历史古迹Insight into 对…的洞察力，对…的见识
Dynamic 有生命力的
Networking skills 建立人际关系网的技能
Land （口语体）获得，获取
Land a business contract 签订一单合同
Lukewarm 冷淡的，不热心的
Cuisine 烹饪，菜肴
Festivity 节日或喜庆日，活动节
Cooking contest 烹饪比赛
A horse-drawn carriage 马车
Escort 护送，陪同
Admirer 仰慕者，敬慕者
Be showered with…大量或慷慨地赠与…
Scenic spot 景点
Business interaction 商务交往
How to Be Entertained
如何接受款待
“To entertain” means to give hospitality as well as to interest and amuse.
招待客人，意味着既要显得好客，又要让客人感到有趣和愉快。

If people come to your country will you know how to look after them?
如果有人来到你的国家，你知道如何款待他们吗？
Will you know what kind of invitation to give them?
你知道给他们发出什么样的邀请吗？
Will you invite the visitors to your home or to a restaurant?
你是邀请客人去你家里还是去饭店呢？
Will you invite them to stay in your home or arrange for them to stay in a nearby hotel?
你邀请他们住在你家里，还是安排他们住附近的酒店呢？
Will you expect them to hiring a present for you?
你期待他们给你带礼物吗？
Ways of showing hospitality are different in every country and I have decided to concentrate on “ how to be entertained” in Britain…
每个国家待客的方式都有所不同，在这里，我主要讲一下在英国“如何接受款待”……People might invite you to their home or to go out with them for the evening.
人们也许会邀请你去他们家里，或是晚上和他们一起外出。

They might invite you when they see you or by telephone.
他们也许在遇到你的时候邀请你，或者打电话邀请你。

However, it is still quite common to be invited by letter or by invitation card.
然而，采用信件和请柬的方式邀请客人仍然十分普遍。

The invitation will tell you what the occasion is, when it is and, occasionally, what you should wear!
请柬上会写明邀请你去的场合、时间，有时还会告诉你该穿什么服装。

Reply quickly.
你要尽快做出答复。

If the occasion is small then you can reply by telephone, but if it is a big occasion it is better to reply by letter.
如果不是出席很重要的场合，你可以打电话回复。

但是，如果是很重要的场合，写信答复对方更好一些。

It is kinder to do this because it helps your host to remember and to organize things.
这样做显得更加友好，因为这便于帮助主人记住并做出安排。

If the invitation way by formal invitation then you might like to reply in a formal way.
如果是正式的请柬，你最好以正式的方式答复。

In Britain, it is common to be invited to someone’s home rather than to a restaurant.
在英国，人们一般邀请客人去家里，而不是去饭店。

if you are invited to a restaurant, it is because your host is very busy, can’t cook very well, or wants to give you the enjoyment of some special type of food, or perhaps has often invited you home and now wants to give you a special treat!
如果邀请你去饭店，是因为邀请你的人很忙，烹饪技术不好，或是想让你品尝一下某种特殊的风味；或者是因为她常常邀请你到他的家中，而现在是想要特别款待你一下。

Business visitors from other countries are often invited to their British colleagues’ home.
从其他国家来的商务访问者，经常被邀请到英国同行家中。

However, sometimes it may be more convenient to invite a business colleague to a restaurant.
然而有时，邀请生意上的同行去饭店更方便些。

If you are invited to someone’s home to have a meal, it is usual to take some flowers or a box of chocolates.
如果你被邀请去某人家里吃饭，常常要带一些鲜花或者带一盒巧克力。

It is not usual to take a bottle of wine unless you know your host well.
除非你与邀请你的主人很熟悉，一般不要带酒。

Although flowers and chocolate are quite acceptable, it would be very nice if you could take something from your country.
尽管鲜花和巧克力容易被人接受，但是，如果你能带点从本国带来的东西就更好了。

It is different if you are invited to a party, and it also depends on what kind of party it is.
如果邀请你去聚会，那就不同了，要看是什么样的聚会。

Many parties these days are “bring a bottle” parties.
现在，许多聚会都是“带一瓶酒”的聚会。

Unless your host is very rich then a bottle of wine is always welcome. If it is a big party of say 30 or more people.
如果你去参加一个有30人或者更多人参加的大型聚会，除非邀请你的主人很富有，一般带一瓶葡萄酒也总会受到欢迎。

Ask whether or not you should bring a bottle when you are invited if you aren’t sure.
可以询问一下你是否应该带一瓶酒。

Say something like “ Can I bring a bottle?”
你可以这么问：“我可以带一瓶酒来吗？”
If you are not sure what should you wear then ask your host or your friends.
如果你确定不了应该穿什么，就请教一下邀请你的人或者你的朋友。

Usually dress is formal and individual in Britain for parties and for invitations to dinner in people’s homes.
通常在英国参加聚会或是被邀请去别人家里吃饭，衣着可以随便、别致一些。

If you are going to an expensive restaurant the men may have to wear a jacket and tie, jeans wouldn’t be allowed.
如果是去豪华的饭店，男士必须穿西装系领带，不许穿牛仔裤。

PART ONE: INTERVIEW
（1）Do you think you enjoy eating in restaurants? （Why?/Why not?）
你喜欢在餐馆用餐吗？（为什么？）
Yes. I do. I like eating in restaurants not for the sake of saving time. It gives great pleasure to be in a restaurant atmosphere. I would choose a restaurant that provides not only good food but also excellent service. I always take my time enjoying my food there.
（2）What type of restaurant would you take your business clients to? (Why?)
你会带客户上哪一类餐馆？（为什么？）
It depends. First of all, I have to judge the character of my guests and decide if I should take them to a restaurant in a quiet place or in a busy street. If they come far away from our region I would probably take them to a restaurant with local flavour.
（3）Is it necessary to take your business clients to an expensive restaurant? (Why?/Why not?)
是否有必要带客户去高档的餐馆？（为什么？）
Yes. Taking my guests to an expensive restaurant is a way to show my hospitality. High price means e xcellence in service. I don’t want my clients to think that they are being slighted. If clients were made to feel that way, we may save some money, but we would lose our business.
（4）How important is it for company staff to have some basic knowledge in entertaining business clients?
对于公司职员来说掌握基本的招待客户的知识有何重要性？
Entertaining guests is a kind of social art. Basic knowledge and skills in this aspect will help to deal with your clients in the most appropriate manner. This is essential in an effort to establish a good relationship with your clients. In some cases, a blunder in social setting may offend your guests and in the end spoil your business.
PART TWO: MINI-PRESENTATION
What’s important when…?
Entertaining your business clients 招待客户需考虑哪些要点？
Appropriate venue for entertainment 适当的招待地点
Clear objectives for the meeting 明确的目的
When entertaining business clients, we need, first of all, to decide on the most suitable venue for the event to take place. We wll probably find out in our first contact with our clients if they are more of art lovers or sports fans or gourmets, and then choose the type of entertainment: whether it should be in a restaurant or in the theatre or in some other appropriate venue for the event.
It is also very important for us to have a clear plan in mind when we come to the meeting. We need to work out a list of specific business objectives to achieve. Therefore while making sure our business clients enjoy themselves, we quietly and smoothly direct the meeting step by step
towards our goal.
The other important aspect is the timing for bringing up the subject of business. Because inopportune mentioning of the matter of business may embarrass our clients at a social setting and discourage their interest in the business you intend to do and even ruin a fine business opportunity.
在款待客户的时候，首先我们需要决定招待客户最合适的场所。

我们可能需要调查首次接洽的客户的喜好，更喜爱艺术还是更青睐与运动或者美食，然后再选择款待的类型：应该在餐厅还是到电影院也或者在其他一些合适的场所款待客户。

在款待客户时，在脑中有一个清晰的计划对我们来说也很重要。

我们需要列出一个具体的业务目标实现的清单。

因此在我们的客户享受款待的同时，我们不露痕迹，顺利直接的一步一步实现我们的目标。

另一个重要的方面是提出主要业务的时机。

因为不合时宜的提出业务事项，可能使我们的客户在社交场合尴尬，而且会挫伤他们与你做生意的兴趣，甚至会毁掉一个良好的商业机会。

PART THREE: DISCUSSION
Entertaining Foreign Guests
A group of guests from Great Britain are coming to visit your company. You have been asked to help entertain them. Discuss the situation together, and decide:
●what activities should be included in the schedule
●what cultural differences need to be considered
招待外国客人
有一群英国客人将到你们公司参观，请你们负责招待他们。

讨论并决定：
安排的计划应包括哪些活动
应考虑哪些文化差异
A: Our British guests are arriving at weekend for a two day visit, so let’s look at our arrangement of activities for our guests. Now, first of all, what items do you think should be included here? B: Well, as we know, they are here to investigate a possible long-term cooperation with us. So, the first thing Monday morning is to take them for a tour around our company. We should show them the best part of our company, particularly the office computer management system.
A: Yes. But perhaps we should first give them a chance to see the video profile of our company before showing them around and that would give them a better idea of our unique way of operating our business.
B: That’s great. I totally agree with you on that. What are we going to arrange for Monday evening? Theatre, concert, or restaurant?
A: Oh, well. From the information we have gathered, they are people of very well cultured background, how about giving them some taste of Peking Opera at the Capital Theatre?
B: I do not disagree, but I am afraid it shouldn’t be too long for that. There are other things I would want to bring to our attention. I mean we need to take cultural differences into consideration. I don’t think we can expect them to sit out a two hours performance that the y understand practically little.
A: Maybe we can arrange for half an hour of Peking opera before we take them for a late night dinner.
B: Alright. That’s settled. But where do you think we should take them to for the meal?
A: We should choose one of the best restaurants alone the busiest street in this city where they could experience the hustle and bustle of this city.
B: But there’s something else that I want to note here. I think the British are generally rather reserved people. I am afraid they would prefer not to have a too noisy and busy place for dinner. A: That’s a good point. In this case, we should book a room in a quite distinctive restaurant where we could have more privacy and at the same time enjoy the local food.
B: If there is no further question, let’s get down to our preparation right now.
A:我们的英国客户在周末抵达将对我司进行2天的访问，那么让我们看一下对客户的互动安排。

你认为我们首先要安排的项目是什么呢？
B:据我们所知，他们到这里来调研能否跟我司建立长期的合作。

因此，首先要做的事情是周一一早带他们参观我们的公司。

我们应该将公司最好的一面展示给客户，特别是办公电脑管理系统。

A:是的，但是在参观之前也许我们首先应该让他们有机会观看公司的视频简介，用一个独特的方式让他们更好的了解我们公司的运作。

B: 那很好。

我完全赞同你的观点。

周一晚上要做什么安排？去剧院、听音乐会还是去餐厅用餐呢？
A: 从我们收集的信息来看，客户们有良好的文化背景，带他们去首都剧场观看京剧怎么样？B：我不反对这样，但是担心京剧的时间不是很长，我们可以再安排一些其他的项目。

我的意思是我们需要考虑到文化的差异。

我不认为客户对自己知之甚少的京剧能耐心坐上两个小时。

A: 也许我们可以在晚餐之前安排半小时的京剧演出。

B:好的，问题解决了。

可是我们应该带客户去哪里共进晚餐呢？
A: 我们应该选择在本城市最繁华的商业街选择一个最好的餐馆，他们可以在那里体验这个城市的喧嚣。

B: 但是这里有一些其他要注意的地方。

我认为英国人通常都很保守。

我担心他们不会喜欢在太喧嚣和繁忙的地方用餐。

A: 这点提的很好。

这样的话，我们应该预定一个有特色的餐厅，我们可以有更多的隐私同时享受当地的美食。

B:如果没有别的问题，让我们现在着手准备吧。

（1）Is it necessary for a company to establish a good long-term relationship with its clients? (Why?/Why not?)
公司是否有必要与客户建立一种长期良好的关系？（为什么？）
Yes. A good long-term business relationship with clients means better understanding and greater trust between you and your clients. It will help ensure smooth and speedy business transactions between your company and your clients.
（2）What do you think is the most suitable form of entertainment for forign business clients?(Why?)
你认为对外国客户最适宜的招待方式是什么？（为什么？）
The best entertainment is to take them to see places of cultural and historical interest. More background knowledge of our culture and history will give them more insight into our way of life and way of doing business. Our dynamic history and colourful culture will win more of their respect, in turn, this will help encourage their business interest in China.
（3）What problems may arise when socializing with foreign business people?(Why？)
与外商交往时，可能出现什么问题？（为什么？）
When interacting with foreign business people, problems may arise in different thought patterns, different ways of seeing the world, and different ways of decision-making. These problems are the result of cultural differences and will often lead to misunderstanding.
（4）Do you think you would enjoy looking after business visitors for a few days?
你是否喜欢花上几天时间照顾来访的客户？（为什么？）
Yes, I do. I think it’s a great pleasure to do so. In the first place, it’s a great chance to introduce them to our culture and history. Secondly, socializing with business people will help me to acquire networking skills. Finally I may land business cuntracts from them.
（5）Where would you take foreign visitors to in your hometown?(Why?)
外国客人到你的家乡，你愿意带他们上哪里玩？（为什么？）
I would take them to the local restaurants to taste the local cuisine and enjoy the annual cooking festivity. Each year a cooking contest is h eld there to name the “best cook of the year”. The winner will ride in a horse-drawn carriage escorted by his admires through the main street and will be showered with flowers from the crowds along the way.。