BUSINESS ENGLISH – BUSINESS SOCIALISING AROUND THE WORLD

14 October 2026 • Business Around the World

1. REVIEW – USE THE WORD

Words: custom • etiquette • hierarchy • punctual • formal

How to play: Read each situation. Choose the best word from the list, then make your own sentence using that word.

1. Your German client always arrives five minutes before a meeting.

2. In this company, junior employees rarely question senior managers.

3. At an important dinner, everyone follows particular rules about introductions and behaviour.

4. In one workplace, everyone wears suits and uses titles such as Mr, Ms or Dr.

5. In this country, exchanging business cards at the start of a meeting is common.

2. KEY VOCABULARY

3. GROUP GAME – GOOD IDEA OR AWKWARD?

How to play: For each situation, choose GOOD IDEA, DEPENDS or AWKWARD. Explain your choice. There is no single correct answer – think about different workplaces and cultures.

1. Talking about your family at a business dinner.

2. Checking your phone while having lunch with a client.

3. Ordering alcohol when your client doesn't.

4. Talking about salary with new business contacts.

5. Inviting a client to dinner after a successful meeting.

6. Making jokes during an important business event.

4. USEFUL PHRASES

Would you like to join us for…?  →  Would you like to join us for dinner?

How do you know ___?  →  How do you know Anna?

What brings you here?  →  What brings you to Prague?

It's been great talking to you.  →  It's been great talking to you. Enjoy the rest of the evening.

Shall we get back to…?  →  Shall we get back to the meeting?

5. PARTNER TASK – THE BUSINESS DINNER

How to play: You are attending an international business dinner together. Discuss the choices below and agree on ONE answer for each. Explain why. Try to use today's vocabulary.

1. You arrive first. Wait quietly OR start networking?

2. A client asks a very personal question. Answer OR change the subject?

3. Nobody is talking about work. Keep it social OR bring up business?

4. Your host orders an expensive meal. Order something similar OR choose what you normally would?

5. You need to leave early. Quietly leave OR say goodbye to everyone?

6. PARTNER DISCUSSION – SOCIALISING AT WORK

How to play: Take turns choosing questions. Both answer and ask one follow-up question. Try to use at least one useful phrase or new word.

1. Do you enjoy networking, or does it feel like work?

2. What topics are good for small talk with someone you've just met professionally?

3. Are business lunches useful, or would you rather have a normal meeting?

4. Should colleagues socialise together outside work?

5. What topic would you avoid at an international business dinner?

6. Is it easier to build rapport face-to-face or online?

FINAL QUESTION – BACK TOGETHER

What is ONE rule you would give someone attending their first international business dinner or networking event?