商务英语：商务礼仪(邀请和问好)

　　Invitation

　　1) You Must Reply to an Invitation

　　Foreign custom is much more strict than Chinesecustom in the matter of replying to invitations. Whenyou receive an invitation you should answer itimmediately, saying definitely whether you are able toaccept it or not.

　　2) Written or Verbal Reply

　　If the invitation is given by word of mouth, inconversation or at a chance meeting, you shouldanswer at once whether you can come or not. If youcannot give an answer at that time, you may say, "May I let you know this evening?" Or somesuch words.

　　Introduction

　　1) How to Introduce People

　　In introducing two people, the general rule is: Introduce other people to the person youwish to honor. The old are honored in the West as in China. Women have been honoured in theWest since the days of knighthood(骑士时代).

　　2) Rising at Introduction

　　A man always rise for an introduction, except that it is sometimes all right for an elderlyman to remain seated when a young man is introduced to him. The hostess always rises for anintroduction.

　　3) Introducing Yourself

　　If you want to meet someone, it is better to ask a friend who know him to introduce you.But sometimes at a meeting or gathering it is all right to introduce yourself to a fellow-student,or to one of the same sex and position.

　　Meeting and Greeting People

　　1) Greeting

　　The simplest thing to say is "Good morning," "Good afternoon" or "Good evening." Thisgreeting is given to one whom you know only slightly, or to any one you are passing quickly. "How are you" is usually used when you are not in such a hurry. No answer is expected otherthan " Fine, thank you." "Hello' is the commonest form of greeting between good friends.

　　2) When a Man Raises His Hat

　　If you are wearing a hat which can be taken bold of easily, it is customary to raise itslightly off your head when you greet a girl or a woman.

　　3) When to Shake Hands

　　It is customary to shake hands when you first meet someone. And usually friends shakehands when they meet after not having seen each other for some time. However it is notnecessary to shake hands.

　　4) Use the person's Name

　　It is always good form to use the name of the person you are greeting. You might say, "Good Morning, Mr. Moncrieff" or "Hello, Franklin." A person's surname should be used unlesshe is good friend or school-mate.

　　With Strangers and Friends

　　1) Lending and borrowing are more matters of principle in the West than in the East.Things borrowed in the West are definitely expected to be returned, whether it is fifty dollars ormerely a friend's pencil.

　　2) Don't Be Curious. It is impolite to be curious about the private affairs of others, such asage, salary, religion and marriage.

　　3) Thanks for Gifts. When some one gives you a present, it is very impolite to neglectthank him for it.

　　4) One Hand Only. In china we use two hands when giving something to a person, or when receiving it, if we want to be very polite. In the West this would seem awkward and impolite.