Business English

people a lot, but it's true that it's very cold. Is it always like this?
    Mr Chester: Yes, with the wind coming from the big lakes it can be very cold and windy up here with a lot of snowfall in the winter, but you get used to the climate.
Useful phrases
    The food / Das Essen
The food is really excellent / delicious.
I'm glad you like it.
It tastes wonderfull although it is a little bit spicy.
Is it true that Kraut is a traditional German dish?
    The weather / Das Wetter
What's the climate like in your country?
In summer, temperature may rise up to the nineties (32°C).
It is very stuffy / sticky / humid.
In autumn / fall it can be very foggy and gloomy with heavy rains and thunderstorms.
Spring(time) is absolutely gorgeous with very agreeable temperatures.
    Sports / Sport
Do you do any sports in your free time?
I like swimming and biking but I'm not in a sportsclub.
In Germany soccer is much more popular than baseball and football. We don't even understand the rules of these sports.
Have you seen this soccer match between Holland and Germany. The referee was terrible.
Would you be interested in seeing a basketball match?
    Likes and dislikes / Vorlieben und Abneigungen
I'm into collecting stamps / coins.
In my spare time I like to read.
I enjoy listening to classical music.
I'm a keen gardener.
I like tennis but I prefer squash.
I'm not very keen on ballet but I love the opera.
I can't stand pop music.
    Family affairs / Familienangelegenheiten
Are you single or married?
Do you have any children?
I have a boy / son of 14 and a girl / daughter of 16.
What kind of work does your husband / wife do?
Do you live in a flat / appartment or do you have a house.
I have a detached / semi-detached house in the suburbs of Stuttgart.
    Country matters / Landesinformation
From what part of the country are you?
It's in the north / south / east / west of …
We live near the coast / the mountain.
What does that part of the country look like?
It's quite flat / hilly / mountainous.
It's a densely popuplated area.
Which interesting sites do you recommend?
Well, try to visit … it's not far from here.
This area is famous for …
    Showing interest / Interesse zeigen
That's interesting / amazing.
Is that so / true?
Indeed / really? I didn't know that!
And how about …
    Back to business / Zur Sache kommen
What I wanted to talk to you about is …
By the way, coming back to business …
As we were discussing the other day …
Let's get down to business.
    The bill / Die Rechnung
Could I have the bill (BE) / check (AmE) please?
Is service included?
Tips are usually around 15 %.
Would you like separate checks?
This is on me.
You're my guest today.
Do you accept credit cards?
You can keep the change.
    Saying goodbye / Abschied nehmen
    Beim Verabschieden bedankt man sich für die Gastfreundschaft: Thank you for your hospitality und hofft auf ein baldiges Wiedersehen: I hope to see you again soon. In den meisten Ländern gehört es auch zum guten Ton – vor allem, wenn Sie nach Hause eingeladen wurden –, sich nach der Rückkehr schriftlich mit einem kurzen thank-you letter zu bedanken. Geschäftliche Kontakte sollten Sie durch einen so genannten follow-up letter pflegen, in dem Sie Ihren Partner an das Besprochene erinnern und versprechen sich wieder zu melden: I'll keep you informed / I'll keep in touch.
    Example
1 Thank-you note
    Dear Mr and Mrs …,
This is just a note to thank you very much for a lovely evening last Tuesday. It was very nice of you to invite me to your home and make me feel so welcome. The cooking was delicious and I enjoyed meeting your children. We had such a wonderful conversation!
Whenever you come to my country, my wife and I would be very pleased to welcome you at our home.
Yours sincerely, …
2 Follow-up letter
    Dear Mr Chester,
I would like to thank you for the warm welcome you have given me at your company. As you may remember we discussed the possibility of adapting (anpassen) one of our systems to match (entsprechen) your company's requirements (Anforderungen). I'm writing this letter to confirm that our company is interested in the project and would be happy to answer any questions and provide you with any further information concerning (bezüglich) the subject.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours sincerly, …
Useful phrases
    Leaving / Aufbrechen
I'm afraid I must go.
I think it's about time to go now.
I must be getting back to the hotel.
Do you really have to go?
Yes, my plane leaves at