UNIIT 5 Entertaining Visitors
Focus
● Making an invitation
● Introducing some Chinese dishes
● Entertaining a foreign guest
Warming Up
The following questions may help you understand what you are going to learn in this unit. Work in pairs or groups and try to answer the following questions：
1. Have you ever invited any foreigners to do something? What would you say if you want to make an invitation？
2. What's your favorite food？
3. Do you know how to cook？
4. If you invite a foreigner to dinner and he/she wants to try something really Chinese, what would you recommend？
Part 1 Extending a dinner invitation
Afterhelping Mr.Riberychecking in, Lindais going back to her company.Before leaving, she extends an invitation to Mr.Ribery for dinner.
Linda: Well, Mr. Ribery, Do you have any other plans this evening？
Mr. Ribery: Not yet for the moment.
Linda: Our Sales Manager, Mr. Lee would like to host a reception dinner in your honor. Can we make it this evening？
Mr. Ribery: Thank you very much. It's very kind of you. This evening would be ok to me.
Linda: Would you like to try some typical Hubei food？
Mr. Ribery: Yes, I'm glad to.
Linda: There is a very good restaurant just across the street. We can have dinner there. Er, would half past six be convenient for you？
Mr. Ribery: Yes, that would be fine.
Linda: OK.Then we'll come here to pick you up at 6:00.
Mr.Ribery: OK.Thank you very much.
Linda: See you this evening.
Mr. Ribery: See you then.
Target Vocabulary
invitation 邀请
host 款待，招待；主办（宴会、招待会等）
reception dinner 欢迎晚宴
honor 荣誉
typical 典型的；有特色的
Notes
1. Before leaving, she extends an invitation to Mr. Ribery for dinner.
离开之前，她邀请列贝利先生参加晚宴。
"extend" means "offer or give sth（提供或给予某事）”，例如：
On behalf of our company, I'd like to extend warm welcome to all of our friends from France．我谨代表我们公司向来自法国的所有朋友表示热烈的欢迎。
"extend an invitation" 意思是“发出邀请”，还可以用 "make an invitation"。
如果接受邀请，用 "accept the invitation"，如果拒绝，可以说 "refuse/decline the invitation"，不过用 "decline the invitation" 礼貌委婉一些。
2. Our Sales Manager, Mr. Lee would like to host a reception dinner in your honor.
我们的销售经理李先生想为你举办一个欢迎晚宴。
"host a reception dinner" 也可以说 "hold a reception dinner"。
"in one's honor.”意思是“为了某人的荣耀”或“为了表示对某人的尊敬”，可以直接译成“为了”。例如：
We are planning a big Christmas party in your honor.
我们正筹备为你举行一次盛大的圣诞晚会。
A toast has been proposed in your honor．人们提议向你敬酒。
发出邀请也可以这么说：Mr. Lee would like to invite you to dinner．类似的表示邀请的句子还有：
I would like to invite you to a reception next Sunday at my home.
I would like to invite you to dinner at the new Chinese restaurant.
Would you like/care to join us for a cup of coffee？
I was wondering if you'd like to come to dinner on Tuesday evening.
Would you like to have dinner with me tonight？
We're having a barbecue at my place on Wednesday.Would you like to come？
Well, how about a harbour cruise on Saturday？
如果被邀请者愿意接受邀请，可以用以下表达法：
That sounds great. I'd love to.
That would be great. I'd love that.
Thanks for your invitation. I'd be delighted to./I'd love to.
Sure. That would be fun/Wonderful/Great.
如果被邀请者想要拒绝邀请，可以用以下表达法；
Thank you, but I'm afraid I have other plans for that night.
Thank you, but I'm afraid I have another appointment that day.
I'm sorry.I can't go to the movie with you.I…（excuse）
I wish I could, but I'm busy. Maybe another time, though.
I hate to turn you down, but I must…
I would love to any other time, because I've already made plans.
Thank you for inviting me, but…
I appreciate the invitation, but I'm afraid I can't.
I'm afraid I can't, but thanks, anyway.
Comprehension Questions
1.What does Linda invite Mr.Ribery to do？
2.Does Mr.Ribery accept the invitation？
Part 2 At the dinner party
Inthe evening Lindapicks up Mr.Riberyand thenthey go to the restaurantwhere Mr.Lee, MrWong and Mr.Yang are waiting for them.
Linda: Mr. Ribery, this is our Sales Manager, Mr Lee. Mr Lee, this is Mr. Ribery.
Mr. Lee: Mr. Ribery, nice to meet you.
Mr. Ribery: Nice to meet you, too, Mr. Lee.
Mr. Lee: Mr. Ribery, I was tied up this morning. So I wasn't able to meet you at the airport personaly. I feel so sorry.
Mr. Ribery: It doesn't matter.
Mr. Lee: Please allow me to introduce our General Manager, Mr. Wong and our Deputy Manager, Mr. Yang to you.
Mr Wong & Mr. Yang: How do you do? Nice to meet you, Mr. Ribery.
Mr. Ribery: How do you do? Nice to meet you, too.
Mr. Lee: Mr. Ribery, please have a seat here.
Mr. Ribery: Thanks.
Mr. Lee: I'm very happy to host this dinner in honor of you.
Mr. Ribery: Thank you very much. I'm honored to be invited to this dinner party.
Mr. Lee: Our pleasure. Mr. Ribery, have you ever tried any Chinese dishes？
Mr. Ribery: Yes, I had some Chinese food when I was in Shanghai and Beijing several years ago. I like Chinese food very much.
Mr. Lee: Oh, this restaurant offers some typical Hubei dishes which are quite different from the food in Beijing and Shanghai. I'm wondering whether you like them.
Mr. Ribery: I think I will.
Mr. Lee: What kind of dishes do you like？
Mr. Ribery: Well, I'm not familiar with the local dishes. I'm at your disposal.
Mr. Lee: OK. Let me make the order for you. The specialty of this restaurant is Braised Wuchang Fish in Brown Sauce. And Kung Pao Chicken, Steamed Bass…. well, Mr. Ribery, What would you like to have for drink? Would you like to taste Maotai, a very famous spirit in China？
Mr. Ribery: Oh, thank you. But I'd like some beer.
Mr. Lee: OK.
Mr.Wong:（After a while, the dishes are served）
Well. First, I'd like to propose a toast to our guest. To your health, Mr Ribery.
Mr. Ribery: Thank you very much, and to yours. Cheers.
Mr. Lee: And to our friendship and cooperation. Cheers.
Linda, Mr. Wong and Mr. Yang: Cheers.
Mr. Wong: Mr. Ribery, please help yourself with the dishes. I hope they will be to your liking.
Mr. Ribery: Thank you. They look so appealing.
Target Vocabulary
dish 一道菜
specialty 招牌菜，特色菜
Braised Wuchang Fish in Brown Sauce 红烧武昌鱼
Kung Pao Chicken 宫保鸡丁
Steamed Bass 清蒸鲈鱼
propose a toast 祝酒
Notes
1.Mr.Ribery, this is our Sales Manager, Mr.Lee．为别人做介绍时可以说：
Allow me to introduce…to you.
Let me introduce…to you.
I'd like to introduce…to you. etc.
2. I was tied up this morning．我今天上午很忙。
"tie sb. up" 常用于被动语态（be tied up），意思是 "occupy sb. so that he has no time for other things（缠住某人是指无暇顾及它事）”，例如：
I was tied up in a meeting until 3 pm yesterday.
3. Please allow me to introduce our General Manager, Mr. Wong and our Deputy Manager, Mr Yang to you.
请允许我向你介绍一下我们的总经理王先生和副总经理杨先生。
4. I'm very happy to host this dinner in honor of you.
我很高兴为你举办这个晚宴。
"in honor of you" 与 "in your honor" 意思相同，表示“为纪念……；为庆祝……；向……表示敬意”
5. I'm honored to be invited to this dinner party．我很荣幸被邀请参加这个宴会。
6. Have you ever tried any Chinese dishes？您以前吃过中国菜吗？
7. I'm not familiar with the local dishes. I'm at your disposal.
我对这些当地菜不熟悉，所以听从你的安排。
"at one's disposal" 意思是“由某人支配，听从某人安排；由某人做主”，例如：
During your stay in this city, Mr. Zhang and I will be at your disposal.
当你们在这个城市逗留期间，张先生和我将竭诚为你们服务。
8. Well. First, I'd like to propose a toast to our guest. To you health, Mr Ribery.
首先，我提议为我们的客人干杯。列贝利先生，祝您身体健康。
"propose a toast" 意思是“提议干杯”，例如：
Finally, I'd like to take this opportunity to propose a toast to the success of our cooperation.
9.Please help yourself with the dishes.I hope they will be to your liking.
请吃菜。希望这些菜合你的胃口。
"to one's liking" 意思是“合某人的胃口；某人喜欢的”，例如：
You can format the document to your liking．您可以将文档设置成自己喜欢的格式。
Comprehension Questions
1.What's the specialty of the restaurant where they are having dinner？
2.What would Mr.Ribery like to have for drink？
Oral Practice
Individual Work
1. Substitution Exercises
Drill 1 I would like to invite you to….
Complete the above sentence by using the following：
—a reception next Sunday
—dinner at the new Chinese restaurant
—my birthday party this weekend
Drill 2 Thank you, but I'm afraid ….
Complete the above sentence by using the following：
—I have other plans for that night
—I have previous appointment that time
—I have to be on a business trip next week
Drill 3 …in your honor.
Complete the above sentence by using the following：
—A toast has been proposed
—The reception is
—We are planning a big Christmas party
Drill 4 How about…？
Complete the above sentence by using the following：
—having a drink to celebrate our success
—a boating on the East Lake this afternoon
—an outing this weekend
Drill 5 I'd like to propose a toast…
Complete the above sentence by using the following：
—to your health
—to our friendship
—to our cooperation
2. Practice Sentences
1）I wonder if you are free this evening.
2）I'd like to take you out for a typical Chinese dinner.
3）Would you like to have dinner with me？
4）May I invite you to dinner at Hubei Restaurant？
5）Would you like something to drink before dinner？
6）Thank you very much.I'd love to.But I've already had an appointment with others.
7）What's the specialty of this restaurant？
8）I'd also like to propose a toast. I wish a success for our cooperation.
9）Would you like Chinese food or western-styled food？
10）Let me pour you some more wine.
11）Would you like to have some more, please？
12）No, thank you. It's really delicious, but I really can't eat any more.
13）Thank you for your hospitality.
14）Thank you very much for the excellent Chinese dishes. I really enjoy them.
1 5）Thank you very much for the wonderful dinner.
3. Oral Translation Exercises
1）我们的总裁会在今晚7点设宴为您洗尘，请您和您的家人赏光。
2）不知道你今天晚上有没有特殊的安排？
3）我打电话是想问问明天您能否跟我和王女士一起吃晚饭？
4）非常感谢你的热情邀请。
5）很抱歉，我不能来。我已经另外有约了。不过还是很感谢。
6）您想喝点什么，啤酒、葡萄酒还是茅台？
7）我建议为我们的合作和友谊干杯。
8）清蒸武昌鱼来了，布朗先生，请随便吃，不要客气。
9）谢谢你特意为我准备如此丰富的晚餐。
10）我们由衷地感谢和你的合作。让我们举杯为我们的朋友们干杯。
Pair Work
Work in pairs.Construct dialogues based on the following situations.
Task 1
Student A: You would like to host a dinner this weekend.You would like to invite Rosa, who is your colleague, to the dinner.Now you are making a phone call to Rosa to make the invitation.
Student B: You are Rosa.Now you get a call from your colleague, who is inviting you to dinner this weekend.You may accept or decline it.
Task 2
Student A: You are having dinner with one of your clients, who is from the USA.First you extend your welcome, then ask him or her what he or she would like to have, next you order the dish and drinks.After that, you propose a toast to your guest, and then introduce some dishes to the guest.
Student B: You, an American, are invited by your Chinese business partner to dinner. Now you come to the restaurant.After greeting, you thank your partner for the invitation.During the dinner, you talk about Chinese food with him or her.At the end, you tell him or her that you enjoy the dishes and thank the host.
Group Work
Students will work in groups of 5-6 and have a discussion on the following questions：
1. How many names of Chinese food do you know? How do you translate them into English？
2. Can you introduce some typical Chinese food to the foreigners？
3. Talk about table manners.
Cultural References
● Tips on entertaining clients
The ability to entertain clients is one of the best skills to have in any corporate setting.If you impress your clients, it means repeat business and other perks down the road.The trick to entertaining clients is to find out what they enjoy doing and make sure that they have a good time while in your company.With some preparation, you can have a lot of fun entertaining clients.
1. Feed them. Taking clients out to a nice dinner is a basic and expected part of entertaining. A nice meal sets the stage for great conversations and potential business deals. Find out if they have any dietary restrictions before making reservations, to ensure that they will have a good time.
2. Take them to a sporting event. Depending on where you live, you could entertain your clients with a round or two of golf, or by getting them courtside seats at an NBA basketball game.
3. Show them around your city. It's disappointing when you take a business trip to another city and don't have a chance to take in some of the local flavor. So entertain your clients by taking them to the best local restaurant or even to the lake for a casual dinner under the stars.
4. Think outside the box. If you take the time to get to know your clients, you may be able to come up with some creative ways to entertain them. They may love to go skydiving, go snorkeling or attend a rock concert if they're the adventurous types.
● Tips on hosting a reception dinner
1. If the party is given at a hotel or at any other public place, the hosts should be there before the guests arrive. The hosts must be there to receive the guests and introduce them to each other if they have not met before. In China, tea or some other light refreshments would be served in the lounge, while the guests and the hosts sit chatting and waiting for the dinner to begin.
2. At a Chinese dinner, the guests and hosts sit alternately at a round table, on most occasions. It's for the main host (at a table) to point out to each guest where he or she is to sit.
3. We in China eat with chopsticks, while most of the foreigners eat with knives and forks. Some foreign guests may be quite good at using chopsticks, but most of them are not. Therefore, it's always advisable to place knives and forks alongside the chopsticks.
4. Maotai and red wine and beer are the three popular drinks at a Chinese dinner. The main host is invariably the first to propose a toast. He usually proposes to drink to friendship or partnership between the two companies or two countries, as appropriate, to the future business possibilities.
5. At a formal dinner or a banquet, courses of either cold or hot dishes are served in general. It is useful for the host to give some appropriate explanation to the dishes, including the ingredients and the way they are cooked, if it is possible, and encourage the guests to have a try on different dishes. Some foreign guests may have already known some popular Chinese dishes like "Beijing Roast Duck" , "Mapo Tofu" , "Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs" , etc.
6. At dinner each of the hosts should take care of his or her nearest guest. The hosts should help the guests to the dishes, or ask them to help themselves. Westerners are used to reaching for things over the table.