2009年BEC商务英语高级口语素材

　　Unlike some other cultures, it's perfectly acceptable to refuse an offer of food or drink; moreover, in most cases, the host probably won't urge you to eat.
　　Many foods are eaten with the hands, so you may want to follow the example of your companions.
　　There are a variety of ways to beckon a server. For example, you can make eye contact and raise your eyebrows, briefly wave to get his or her attention, or mouth the word for what you want such as "water" or "coffee." To call for the check, you can make a writing gesture or mouth the word "check, please."
　　It is not considered rude to eat while walking down the street.
　　Business gifts are often presented after the deal is closed. In most situations, gifts are usually unwrapped immediately and shown to all assembled. If you receive a Christmas gift, however, you may be asked to wait until Christmas Day to open it.
　　In many cases, the best gifts are those that come from your country.
　　You may not receive a gift in return right away.
　　During the Christmas season, gifts are exchanged. For your business associates, you can give gifts such as useful items for the office, liquor or wine.
　　When you visit a home, it is not necessary to take a gift, although it is always appreciated. Flowers, a potted plant, or a bottle of wine can be good gift choices.
　　Taking someone out for a meal or other entertainment is another popular gift.
　　Gifts for women such as perfume or clothing are usually inappropriate because they are considered far too personal.
　　Gifts for children are often a thoughtful and appreciated gesture, but take into account the values of the parents. For example, some parents might object to your giving a toy gun or a violent video game to their child. Acceptable public conduct
　　适宜的公众社交礼仪与举止
　　Smoking is not as commonplace and is subject to restrictions in most public places. Before smoking, the best policy is to ask if anyone minds, or wait to see if others smoke. Restaurants often have a section where smoking is permitted; many hotels designate rooms as smoking and non-smoking.
　　A handshake is the customary greeting for both men and women, although you should wait to see if the woman offers her hand.
　　Apart from greeting close family members or friends, Americans tend to refrain from greetings that involve hugging and other close physical contact. For the most part, they are unreceptive to being touched during conversation and other social situations.
　　The standard space between you and your conversation partner should be about two feet. Most U.S. executives will be uncomfortable standing at a closer distance.
　　Direct eye contact conveys that you are sincere, although it should not be too intense. Certain ethnic groups will look away to show respect.
　　Friends or acquaintances of the same sex generally do not hold hands.
　　To point, you may use the index finger, although it's impolite to point at another person.
　　To beckon someone, wave either all the fingers or just the index finger in a scooping motion, with the palm facing up.
　　To show approval, there are two common gestures: the "O.K." sign, formed by making a circle of the thumb and index finger, and the "thumbs up" sign, formed by making a fist and pointing the thumb upward.
　　What You Should Know About a Contract
　　² Why Do I Need A Contract? 为什么需要合同?
　　You don’t have to be a lawyer to reap the benefits of writing your own contracts. A little common sense goes a long way and a good contract does more that just cover your rear should you end up in court. Written correctly, a contract can demonstrate business professionalism, weed out insincere clients, organize your duties, speed up your pay, help you get insurance, avoid disputes, make mutual obligations clear and keep you out of court.
　　² What is a Contract? 什么是合同?
　　A contract is a legally binding agreement. Contracts are either formal (written) or simple (verbal). It may be a bilateral contract, performed by both parties, or unilateral, a promise in exchange for an act or performance of a task or deed. Contracts may be voided, that is, the parties may agree to nullify the contract or it may be voided by a court of law. These are some of the characteristics of a contract.
　　² Elements of a Good Contract 合同的要素
　　Every good contract has four essential component parts. They are: offer and acceptance, mutuality and consideration, competent parties, and a legal object.
　　An offer is communicated verbally or in writing and has definite terms. Mutuality indicates duties or actions are performed by each party. Consideration means that something of value is exchanged. Competent parties speak to the mental and legal capacity of the parties involved in making the contract. A legal object connotes a legal objective and no criminal intent.
　　Contracts don’t have to be formal: a letter of agreement is a contract too. In fact, a contract can be anything — it can be oral, can be written on a napkin(though not advised), can be a purchase order or a combination of documents exchanged between parties. It has no particular form. Written is better, though, then the terms are less often questioned.
　　To construct your own contract, specify the issues and conditions that matter. Independent consultants, for example struggle with Internal Revenue Service rules that threaten to reclassify them as employees. In an independent contractors contract state “the contractor is an independent contractor and not an employee.” That will protect the business identity and relieve your client of the fear that they will end up having to pay your health insurance premiums and Social Security taxes.