Making a good first impression - First meeting with a visitor

So you're meeting a new business contact.

Hi! First impressions matter, so what can you do and say?

OK. First thing - arrive on time. You don't want your contact wondering

where you are. Erm... Excuse me. Are you from Pattersons? Oh are you Vicki Hollett? Yes.

Oh. Next thing - be ready to greet your visitor and make them feel welcome.

Oh, are you Vicki Hollett? Yes. Hi! Welcome to Philly!

Ah yes. It's best to greet them in a professional

manner. Errr.. Hi, I'm Vicki Hollett. Hi, I'm Jay Silber from Pattersons. Welcome to

Philadelphia. Thank you. So how was your trip? Erm, not too bad thanks but one of my bags

didn't arrive from England. Let's go then. The next thing is listen. Pay attention to

what they say, so you can respond. So how was your trip? Not too bad, but one of my

bags didn't arrive from England. Will they send it to you here? That's what they promised.

Oh good. OK, let's go. Another thing. Be helpful! Can I help you with your bag? Ooo, yes please.

It's a bit heavy, I'm afraid. Oh, no problem. My car's this way. Thank you. That's more

like it!. Now what about small talk? What can you say to get the conversation going?

Shoot, this bag is heavy. So tell me about yourself? Are you married? How old are you?

Oooo, that's not right. You want to be friendly and you don't want to get too personal - not

with someone you don't know. Do you travel abroad a lot? Oh, a couple of times a year.

I'd like to travel more. You like travelling. So do I. Have you ever been to England?

Now that's a good question. Travel is a neutral topic. The weather is another one.

Ooo, it's cold out here. I hate this weather. Uhuh. It's like this in England, isn't it? Well...

Well, everybody says so. That's not good. He complains about the weather, and then he

makes judgements about England. Let's try again. Oh, it's cold out. What was the weather

like in England when you left? Not too bad. Well, it's going to be nice and warm tomorrow.

And I think I'm going to have a good trip. And that's the key - be friendly, positive

and upbeat. Now one question before we stop. Can you think of other good topics for starting

conversations in English? Tell us in the comments below