VIP Class Notes (Nick)

Bring in parts of the program to see if we can find more words and practice the different parts.

Vocabulary

Transition – moving from one thing to another

Program – the plan for what is going to happen, especially at a social-business event
Agenda – more of a plan for a business meeting
e.g. The program tonight includes dinner and a cocktail mixer.
e.g. The agenda for the meeting today includes the deal with company x, the lawsuit against company y, and our new hiring policy.

So – usually the result of something
e.g. He didn’t show up for work again today, so the boss called him.
— Also used to indicate that you want to draw attention to begin speaking and to end a previous topic and move to a new one.
e.g. …and that’s why I had to miss work last week, but my son has recovered now. So, how was the meeting that I missed? / Yeah, don’t worry about. I’m glad he’s doing well. So, let me tell you about that meeting you missed.

Gents – /jents/ short for gentlemen

Counting noses / suits – counting people general / business professionals
e.g. Before we get started, let me count the noses in here to make sure we have everyone.
e.g. Look, before we bring this law to a vote, we have to count noses. If the law doesn’t pass, it’s going to look really bad for us.

non- not part of something
e.g. non-Chinese
e.g. other countries

In my experience other countries don’t have many pictures in their menus.
Outside of China… I haven’t seen…

Speaking

Opening – welcome and agenda
Good evening everyone, welcome.
Welcome to the party everyone! (amusing)
Hey / Hello everyone, I hope you’re all doing well.
Hello, good to see you all here.
Welcome everyone, thank you for coming / thank you for being here.
How’s it going everyone, good to see you all here (more informal)
Ladies and Gentlemen… (pretty formal)
Guys and Gals (sort of country, informal)
Boys and girls (funny, or if you are actually talking to young people)

Agenda – birthdays, new employee introduction, news updates (business, good news)

Fun things – TBD

Closing – informal: thank you all for coming. Please continue to enjoy yourselves. We have the room until 6:30. There is still some food. That is the end of our program.