Part Ⅰ Situational Dialogues

Situational Dialogue 1

Zhang Yang comes to New York to attend the International Arts & Crafts Fair. He comes to a booth and talks with the owner Mohamed Hassan from Egypt.

(A: Mohamed Hassan, B: Zhang Yang )

A: Hello. May I help you?

B: Yes. I find your products quite similar to some of our product line.

A: Oh, really? What do you do?

B: My company specializes in museum quality reproductions of Chinese antiques. Here is my business card.

A: Well, Mr.Zhang, nice to meet you. I'm Mohamed Hassan from Egypt and here is my card. Where is your booth?

B: We are not lucky enough to get a booth for this fair. We were a little bit late in applying, but I still want to see around to get a general idea of it.

A: I see. This is quite a popular show and application starts early in August. That's more than one year ahead to get a booth! This is my fourth year here.

B: Oh. Here're some brochures for what we are doing. And there're a few samples of our products.

A: Wow! They do look nice and pretty. You know, like your country, my country is also very famous for its long history and civilization. Most of our products are imitations of those famous people in my country's history. Look at these figurines! They are made out of special clay in southern China. My company offers the design and draft. A factory in Shunde manufactures them for us.

B: Great! But who are your major buyers?

A: Museum stores all over America. We have been doing this business for five years and luckily enough, we do have some pretty good orders in this show.

B: Do you think some of our products might be sellable if we get a booth here next year?

A: Why not? Americans are getting more interested in Chinese culture. And we do have many good museums with a lot of Chinese artifacts. I think it is worth trying. You will find your market here!

B: Thank you very much. Mr.Hassan.

A: You're welcome. We've known each other. We may have the chance to do business together.

B: Yes. I hope so. Do contact me when you come to China and maybe you'd like to visit my factory.

A: Sure. That will be wonderful.

Practice 1

Task 1: Listen to the dialogue and role-play it in pairs.

Task 2: Simulated situational conversation.

Suppose you are Frankie Moore from Hong Kong Bio Paint which specializes in interior paint (室内漆). You met Mr.Josh Wilson in the China Coating Show (CCS), but you were too busy to talk with him for more details. Now you make a phone call to his company and want to talk to him for possible cooperation, only to find him out for business. So you talk with Diana Johnson who answers the phone, asking about their major suppliers of interior paint and offer your products (odorless paint, anti-bacteria paint, etc.) for your consideration.

Situational Dialogue 2

Li Ming is showing Mr.Wilson around the sample room.

(A: Li Ming, B: Mr.Wilson)

A: Here is our sample room, Mr.Wilson.

B: You certainly have got a large collection of sample foodstuffs here.

A: Yes. We are exporting a wide range of foodstuffs to many countries. And the demand is becoming greater.

B: So it is. Your exports to our country have considerably increased during the last few years. It appears that Chinese foodstuffs are well-received by our people.

A: You said it. The quality of ours is as good as that of many other suppliers, but our prices are not as high as theirs. Which items are you interested in?

B: Canned food is of special interest to me, particularly canned fruit and meat. As your canned fruit is among the most popular ones in our market, I'm thinking of placing an order in a day or two.

A: Good. How about canned meat?

B: I guess it will also find a good market in our country. May I try some?

A: Of course, you're welcome to have a try. Here it is. Ours is of prime quality.

B: Oh, it tastes great. Hmm…I am not sure about the pesticide residues in your foodstuffs, but I am sure you must have given much thought to it. As you know, our government restrictions have tightened up, so we must be very cautious about such problems as food contamination.

A: You can rest assured. Our food products conform to the WHO and ISO standards.

B: Very good. But I need to make sure canned meat is also to the taste of our people. What would you say if I take some samples home before I make a decision?

A: No problem.

Practice 2

Task 1: Listen to the dialogue and role-play it in pairs.

Task 2: Simulated situational conversation.

Suppose you are Li Ming. You're showing Mr.Moore around the factory which you work for. You may talk about the area of the factory, the annual output, the number of workers, etc.

Situational Dialogue 3

Mr.Green has just concluded a business deal with a Thai company, but he is not sure whether the company is reliable in paying by time L/C. So he comes to the bank to investigate the financial standing of his partner.

(A: Mr.Green,B: Bank clerk)

A: Good morning, sir. I need some help.

B: No problem. What can I do for you?

A: My company has just concluded a business transaction in China Import and Export Fair. I mean my company is to export eight tons of food oil to a Thai company. The company insisted on paying my company by time L/C,so I doubt if the company actually has the money to pay us.

B: I see. You want our bank to make an investigation of the financial standing of that Thai company? By the way, why did you accept time L/C in the first place?

A: Yes, right, I want you to make a credit investigation. Food oil isn't selling well, so my company accepted that. What should I do if I want to get the credit information of my corporate partner?

B: Well, it isn't complicated. You just need to fill out this form with detailed information, such as the full name of the Thai company, the opening bank and its account number.

(Three minutes later)

A: I think it's done. Please take a look.

B: Sure. I see, it's the Central Bank of Thailand. Our bank has correspondent relations with it. That would help.

A: Great! Do you have relations with all the foreign banks in the world? And how much should I pay now?

B: RMB 200 in advance. Our bank has relations with most of the foreign banks in the world, not all. We'll send your application to our Bangkok office by the fastest way. They will do as you request and send the report back.

A: When can I get the result? I assume everything will be kept in strict confidence?

B: Yes, of course. It will take about one week. We will pass the report to you as soon as we get it.

A: Good. Thank you for your help.

B: You're welcome.

Practice 3

Task 1: Listen to the dialogue and role-play it in pairs.

Task 2: Simulated situational conversation.

Suppose you are Mr.He, the manager of Bono Food Oil Company in China. You're attending a business cocktail party hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce. Here you meet Mr.Wilson whose company is thinking of establishing a joint venture with a Chinese partner. He may ask you about your main products, annual output, company structure, number of employees, the registered capital and the financial standing of your company.