Lesson Five安排事物

(inviting, accepting, declining, offering, refusing)

Making invitations

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 dessert and coffee? Would you like to go to New York with me next month? I was wondering if you’d like to go to the beach on Saturday. I was wondering if you’d like to come to dinner on Tuesday evening. Can/Will you meet me at the mall after class for some shoe shopping? Can you come over tomorrow night and watch the game with us? How/what about a movie tonight? Why don’t you/not jog with me in the mornings? Why don’t you stop by for a visit on your way home? Accepting invitations

Thank you very much. Thanks for your invitation. I’d be delighted to. /I’d love to. Sure. That would be fun/wonderful/great. What a terrific idea! I’d really love to. Sounds great! Sounds like fun! Sure thing! I’ll see you there. Dinner/6:00 it is! Why don’t we! Declining invitations

Thank you, but I’m afraid I have other plans for that night. Thank you, but I’m afraid I have an 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, but I’ve already made plans. Thank for asking, but… I appreciate the invitation, but I’m afraid I can’t. I’m afraid I can’t, but thanks anyway. What about a rain check?
Lesson Six商业用餐

(Chinese/western/business table manner, translations on food’s name, showing opinions)

Ways of cooking

Baked Boiled Steamed Stewed Braised Deep fried/pan fried/stir fried Grilled Barbecue Ways of cutting

Whole Steak Chunk Diced Sliced Shredded Mined Skewer Commenting on food

It smells good/looks great/tastes delicious. The sweet potato pie is the best that I’ve ever had. Sichuan food is too hot for me. My mouth is burning. This dish tastes kind of salty/sour/greasy/stale. The soup is too heavily seasoned/plain. Proposing a toast

May I propose a toast to our friendship and cooperation? I’d like to propose a toast to our distinguished American guests. Let’s drink to your promotion. Here’s to your health/pleasant trip to Beijing/a successful new year. Cheers! Asking for check

May I have the check please? I’m afraid you made a mistake here. Could please make sure the check gets to me? Check, please. Paying for the check

It’s on me. It’s my treat. Let me do the honor. I’ll get it this time. I insist. Let’s split it. Let’s go 50/50.
Lesson Seven工作之余

（after-work entertainments, choosing and developing topics of conversation）

Introducing topics/agendas

I’m glad to bump into you. I wanted to ask you about… While we’re on the subject… I just wanted to mention… You know you mention…? There were a couple of points I wanted to mention… The other point was… There’s just one thing I wanted to say… Changing/ending a topic

Anyway, let’s talk about something else. So, let’s leave that (for later). Changing the subject for a moment… By the way… Talking of… That reminds me… Checking and clarifying

Do you see what I’m getting at? Is that clear? Do you mean…? Are you saying…? Let me see if I get it clear/correctly. Do you mean…? Asking about hobbies and interests

Do you have any hobbies and interests? What do you do in your spare/free time? Expressing likes and dislikes

I like football. I love reading. I enjoy cooking. I adore Tom Cruise. I’m interested in antiques collections, especially Chinese antique furniture. I’m quite into golf. I’m crazy/mad about rock’n’roll. I fall for folk dance. John is enthusiastic about hiking. I don’t like soccer. I hate boxing. Expressing preferences

I prefer jazz to pop. I prefer staying at home to going out with him tonight. I prefer to play badminton rather than play basketball. Joe has a preference for European movies. Of all kinds of music, I like R&B best. Classical music is my favorite music. Hip Hop is my least favorite. As far as I am concerned, poetry reading is for the birds. For me, the best time is to sit back with a cold beer in my hand. I’d rather take the bus home. Sample Dialogue

A: Have you watched any movie lately?

B: Not really. I have been kept busy recently.

A: That’s too bad. I went to watch the Red Dragon the other day. It’s really fantastic.

B: Red Dragon? I haven’t even heard about it.

A: What are you? From the cave? It has been an instant hit after it was put on show in the theatre.

B: Well, I told you I was busy. So what was it about?

A: It’s actually the prequel to The silence of the Lambs. In this one, the story of a former FBI agent Will Graham, who was nearly killed by Hannibal Lecter, is told, and it includes the initial capture of “the Cannibal”.

B: Really? I have watched The silence of the Lambs. It features Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster, right?

A: You are right. But the new movie has a stronger cast, including young talents like Edward Norton and Ralph Fiennes. Of course, Anthony Hopkins stays and still plays Dr. Lecter.

B: It sounds really exciting. I should try to find some time to go.