12.3 WELCOMING VISITOR

POLITE PHRASES
1. 1. Qualifiers
  1. Qualifiers are words used to modify other words and they increase or decrease the quality signified by those words. Here’s a simple example:
    1. It is very hot.
    2. a little, a bit, a little bit, slight, slightly, small, one or two.
      1. We might run slightly over budget
      2. We are having one or two problems with the new product.
      3. The marketing campaign is a little bit behind schedule.
2. 2. Negative Question Forms
  1. Another way we can make our English more diplomatic is by using negative questions when we want to make a suggestion.
    1. Shouldn’t we redesign the company logo?
    2. Typically, we use shouldn’t, wouldn’t and couldn’t to form this type of question.
      1. Couldn’t we hire a new advertising agency?
      2. Wouldn’t it be better to hire a new advertising agency?
3. 3. Using the Past Continuous Tense
  1. Another way to make a sentence less direct and more diplomatic is to use the past continuous tense:
    1. I was hoping that we could sign the contract today.
    2. I was thinking we need to hire more employees.
    3. I was aiming to finish this project by the end of the month.
4. 4. The Passive Voice
  1. Finally, the passive voice is a great way to make your sentences sound more diplomatic:
    1. My computer has been broken!
    2. It was understood that you were going to sign the deal today.
    3. It was agreed that you were going to lower your fees.
SMALL TALK
1. The 10 Big Rules of Small Talk
  1. 1. Do a Little Homework
    1. To keep your conversation timely and lively, Carducci suggests scanning newspaper headlines and movie and book reviews.
  2. 2. Greet People Appropriately
    1. To kiss or not to kiss? The question is so universal (and, for some, vexing) that Hamlet might have asked it. Generally, a firm handshake is a safe, neutral bet.
  3. 3. Remember Names
    1. Introductions tend to pass in a blur, with both parties quickly blurting out names and then taking sips of wine. As a result, no one remembers who anyone is. If you forget a name, discreetly ask a third party for help, or listen for it in conversation.
  4. 4. Don’t Hold Back
    1. Begin the conversation by giving the other person something to work with. But don’t put her to work.
  5. 5. Draw the Other Person Out
    1. People love to talk about themselves, so be a great listener. The questions don’t have to be that specific
  6. 6. When in Doubt, Discuss the Setting
    1. It sounds like a cop-out, but it works. Another fail-safe, setting-specific question is “How do you know the host?”
  7. 7. Revive a Dying Conversation.
    1. Don’t panic when there’s a lull in the conversation. Think of silence as a transition. Sometimes silence is appropriate. You don’t want to seem like a babbling idiot
  8. 8. Make Proper Introductions
    1. The true hallmark of a skilled and gracious small-talker is the ability to introduce people with ease. In addition to announcing names, offer a piece of information about each person, or a shared interest, thereby facilitating a conversation.
  9. 9. Defuse Unpleasant Situations
    1. For every group of lovely people you meet at a party, there’s bound to be a lemon.
      1. Type 1 is the person who has met you on several occasions but acts as if he’s never seen you before in his life.
      2. Type 2 invades your personal space.
      3. Type 3 won’t stop talking about himself and hasn’t asked you a single question
  10. 10. Make a Clean Getaway
    1. “Use the phrase ‘I need,’” . “I need to get some food; I haven’t eaten all day. I need to talk to a client over there.

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12.3 WELCOMING VISITOR

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	Created by Adelaida Granados over 8 years ago