Test in Entertaining

 Entertaining

It has been said that when two American or European businesspeople meet, they are there to do a deal, but in Asia they are there to establish a relationship. Entertaining in Asia is often used to 'size up' a potential business partner - partner in the sense of future supplier or joint venture associate. Asians will want to know more about their guest, their background and their contacts before going ahead and doing business. This is an essential part of the business process, not just polite etiquette.
Relationship building takes different forms in different places - invitations to karaoke evenings in Japan or the yacht on the French Riviera are not to be refused. The demand for corporate hospitality in the UK has been criticised for making events such as Grand Prix racing or Wimbledon more expensive for ordinary people. But corporate sponsorship of sport and culture brings in large amounts of money, and many such events benefit from this overall.
Entertaining in the form of invitations to your host's home exists in some cultures but not others, where work and private life are kept entirely separate.
Cultural awareness of norms in these and other areas can lead to better communication and avoidance of misunderstandings. Companies are spending more time and money these days on cross-cultural training, often but not always in tandem with language training, in order to facilitate better social interaction.
Socialising in another language is not easy. There is more focus on the language itself than in business discussions. Students, rightly, demand formulaic expressions for particular situations. This is often called small talk. But to refer to it as 'small' undervalues its importance. Language learners see it as a minefield of potential problems and, inevitably, gaffes. People have their favourite stories about such mistakes, perhaps ones they made themselves. Telling these stories can be a useful form of ice-breaking activity in the classroom when working on this much-demanded social English.
Business Culture Test

Business Culture Test

Test your understanding of cross-cultural business communication

Task 1: Multiple Choice Questions
1. According to the text, what is the primary purpose of relationship-building in Asia before doing business?
2. What is stated about corporate hospitality in the UK?
3. Why is "small talk" considered important in the context of social English, despite its name?
4. How do the text suggest companies are improving cross-cultural communication?
Task 2: True/False/Not Stated
1. In Asia, entertaining is seen as an essential part of the business process, not just polite etiquette.
2. In all cultures, it is common to be invited to your host's home.
3. Corporate sponsorship only benefits the corporations, not the sporting or cultural events themselves.
4. The text recommends that students avoid learning formulaic expressions for social situations.
5. Telling stories about language mistakes can be a useful classroom activity.
Task 3: Matching
Match the concepts with their correct descriptions:
Relationship Building
Corporate Hospitality
Cultural Awareness
Small Talk

Your Test Results

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  1. Task 4: Open-Ended Comprehension Questions
    1. Explain the key difference in the initial purpose of a meeting between American/European and Asian businesspeople, as described in the text.
    2. What are two different forms that relationship building can take, according to the text?
    3. Why does the text argue that the term "small talk" undervalues its actual importance?
    4. Besides language, what is a key focus of cross-cultural training mentioned in the text?

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    Ответы
    1. Амина Магомедова28 октября 2025 г. в 13:19

      1.It has been said that when two American or European businesspeople meet, they are there to do a deal, but in Asia they are there to establish a relationship.
      2.Relationship building takes different forms in different places - invitations to karaoke evenings in Japan or the yacht on the French Riviera are not to be refused.
      3.Because language learners see it as a minefield of potential problems and, inevitably, gaffes.
      4.Cultural awareness of norms in these and other areas can lead to better communication and avoidance of misunderstandings.

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    2. Патимат Исмаилова30 октября 2025 г. в 14:04

      1)Based on the text, the key difference between the Asian and American approaches is that American businesspeople meet to negotiate an agreement, while Asian businesspeople meet to build relationships with future partners.
      2)The text mentions examples such as invitations to karaoke evenings in Japan and corporate hospitality activities like time on a yacht on the French Riviera. These are social events used to strengthen relationships before or during business dealings
      .3) Although the term "small talk" may seem trivial, the text emphasizes its significant role in social interaction. It helps to build rapport and understanding between people. and maintain a continuous dialogue, which can be challenging for language learners and may involve mistakes.
      4)n addition to language, a key aspect of intercultural learning is cultural awareness of norms that can help to eliminate misunderstandings and facilitate communication.

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  2. 1. According to the text, the key difference is that American or European businesspeople meet primarily to do a deal, focusing on the immediate transaction. While Asian businesspeople meet to establish a relationship because they want to know more about their potential business partners.

    2. The text presents two forms of building relationships: invitations to karaoke evenings in Japan and events on a yacht on the French Riviera.

    3. The text argues that calling it "small talk" undervalues its importance because it is actually a critical part of social interaction. For language learners, it is seen as a "minefield of potential problems".

    4. Besides language, the key focus of cross-cultural training is cultural awareness of norms that can lead us to better communication and avoid misunderstandings.

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  3. Залина Асеева28 октября 2025 г. в 10:13

    1. The key difference is that American and European businesspeople meet primarily to close a deal, while Asians meet to establish a relationship. For Asians, this initial stage is important for exploring a potential partner's experience and contacts before engaging in business communication.
    2. There are two distinct ways to build relationships: invitations to social events, such as karaoke nights in Japan; and corporate events, such as an invitation to a yacht on the French Riviera.
    3. The term "small talk" underestimates its importance, as for language learners, it is viewed as a minefield of potential problems and social pitfalls.
    4. Beyond language, a key aspect of intercultural learning is understanding cultural norms. This involves building relationships and social interactions to improve communication.

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  4. 1.According to the text, the key difference is that when Amarican/Europian businesspeople meet? they are there to do a deal, but in Asia they are there tj estabblish a relationship.
    2. According to the text, relationship building takes different forms in differents places - invitations to karaoke evenings in Japan or the yacht on the French Rivera.
    3. The text argue that the term "small talk" undervalues its actual importance because language learners see it as a minefield of potential problems and, inevitably, gaffes.
    4.Besides language, the key focus of cross-cultural training is cultural awareness of norms can lead to better communication and avoidance of misunderstandings.

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  5. Мариян Магомедова28 октября 2025 г. в 10:57

    1. It has been said that when two American or European businesspeople meet, they are there to do a deal, but in Asia they are there to establish a relationship.
    2. Relationship building takes different forms in different places. The first form: corporate hospitality and the second form: invitations to your host's home.
    3. Because Language learners see it as a minefield of potential problems and, inevitably, gaffes. People have their favourite stories about such mistakes, perhaps ones they made themselves.
    4. Cultural awareness of norms in these and other areas can lead to better communication and avoidance of misunderstandings.

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  6. Алимчуев Абумуслим28 октября 2025 г. в 11:08

    1)Based on the text, the key difference between the Asian and American approaches is that American businesspeople meet to negotiate an agreement, while Asian businesspeople meet to build relationships with future partners.
    2)The text presents two ways of establishing relations. 1) Karaoke evenings in Japan, 2) an invitation to a yacht in the French Riviera
    3)The text argues that the term "small talk" does not fully capture its importance, as language learners perceive it as a minefield of potential problems and inevitable mistakes.
    4)n addition to language, a key aspect of intercultural learning is cultural awareness of norms that can help to eliminate misunderstandings and facilitate communication.

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  7. 1. The text states that when American or European businessmen meet, the initial goal is to "to do a deal," while for Asian businessmen, the initial goal is to "establish a relationship."
    2. The text provides two different forms that relationship building can take:
    1)Invitations to social events, such as "karaoke evenings in Japan or the yacht on the French Riviera."
    2)"Entertaining in the form of invitations to your host's home," which is common in some cultures but not others.
    3. The text says that calling "small talk" undervalues ​​its importance because this type of social conversation is actually a critical and challenging skill, seen by language learners as "a minefield of potential problems." Its importance lies in its role in facilitating better social interaction, which is a key business skill
    4. Except language, a key focus of cross-cultural training mentioned in the text is cultural awareness of norms.This involves learning about appropriate social and business behaviors

    Мадина Абусуфянова

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  8. Керимханова Халиса28 октября 2025 г. в 13:27

    1. The text indicates that American and European entrepreneurs typically focus on closing deals during meetings, while Asian businesspeople place more emphasis on building personal relationships, seeking to get to know their potential partners better.
    2. The text cites Japanese karaoke nights and elite yachting events on the French Riviera as examples of relationship building.
    3. According to the text, what we call "small talk" is actually a critical element of social interaction, not just superficial conversation. For language learners, such situations can become a minefield of misunderstandings.
    4. In addition to language skills, a crucial component of intercultural learning is mastering cultural norms, which facilitates effective communication and prevents misunderstandings.

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  9. 1. key difference in the initial purpose of a meeting:
    American or European businesspeople meet primarily to make a deal, while Asian businesspeople meet to establish a relationship before doing business.

    2. Two different forms of relationship building:Invitations to karaoke evenings in Japan,Invitations to a yacht on the French Riviera

    3. Why the term “small talk” undervalues its importance:
    Because it plays a major role in social interaction and relationship building, and calling it “small” makes it seem unimportant even though language learners see it as a challenging and essential skill for effective communication.

    4. Besides language, a key focus of cross-cultural training:
    Cultural awareness of norms understanding how social and business etiquette differ across cultures to improve communication and avoid misunderstandings.

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  10. Зухра Гаджигишиева28 октября 2025 г. в 15:45


    1)The text states that two American or European businessmen may only meet for the purpose of do a deal, while in Asia, on the contrary, they meet to establish a relationship and “size up” their business partner, get to know them better, and ask about their background and their contacts.
    2) the text mentions two forms of relationship building: a karaoke evening in Japan and a yacht on the French Riviera.
    3) The text argues that the term "small talk" underestimates its true meaning, as language learners perceive it as a minefield of potential problems and, inevitably, mistakes.
    4) In addition to language, the text mentions areas of intercultural learning, such as understanding cultural norms in these and other areas, which can help to improve communication and prevent misunderstandings.

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  11. Зухра Гаджигишиева28 октября 2025 г. в 16:11


    1)The text states that two American or European businessmen may only meet for the purpose of do a deal, while in Asia, on the contrary, they meet to establish a relationship and “size up” their business partner, get to know them better, and ask about their background and their contacts.
    2) the text mentions two forms of relationship building: a karaoke evening in Japan and a yacht on the French Riviera.
    3) The text argues that the term "small talk" underestimates its true meaning, as language learners perceive it as a minefield of potential problems and, inevitably, mistakes.
    4) In addition to language, the text mentions areas of intercultural learning, such as understanding cultural norms in these and other areas, which can lead to better communication and avoidance of misunderstandings.

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  12. 1. It is often said that American and European businesspeople meet primarily to make a deal, whereas in Asia, the primary goal is to establish a relationship.
    2. The process of building these relationships varies greatly-for example, invitations to a karaoke evening in Japan or a yacht on the French Riviera are considered essential and are not to be
    refused.
    3. For language learners, navigating these customs can feel like a minefield, full of potential problems and inevitable social gaffes.
    4. Therefore, an awareness of cultural norms in these and other areas is crucial for ensuring better communication and preventing misunderstandings.
    Абдуллаева Майя

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  13. Магомедова Марьям29 октября 2025 г. в 01:46

    1.It is said that when two American or European businessmen meet, their main goal is to make a deal, while in Asia the meeting often serves rather to establish a relationship of trust.
    2.Ways of establishing contacts vary depending on the region. One of them is corporate hospitality, and the other is an invitation to the owner's house.
    3.Those who study the language often see it as a field of potential traps and mistakes. They have their favorite stories about such mistakes, perhaps those they made themselves.
    4.Awareness of cultural norms in these and other areas can contribute to more effective communication and help avoid misunderstandings.

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  14. Гухар Алиханова29 октября 2025 г. в 02:57

    1) The text states that people meet in Asia to establish relationships, evaluate potential partners, and learn about their past and contracts. And when two American or European businessmen meet, they do so in order to make a deal.
    2) Based on the text, there are two forms of building relationships: a karaoke evening in Japan and a yacht on the French Riviera
    3) According to the text, "small talk" underestimates its importance because language learners perceive it as a minefield of potential problems and, inevitably, mistakes.
    4) In addition to language, the text mentions areas of intercultural learning, such as understanding cultural norms in these and other areas, which can lead to improved communication and the prevention of misunderstandings.

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  15. Мустафаев Ислам 4 к 2 гр
    1 While American and European businessmen view the first meeting as an opportunity to make concrete decisions and advance the deal, their Asian counterparts see its main purpose as establishing personal relationships and mutual trust.
    2 The first was a karaoke meeting, the second was a meeting on a yacht on the French Rivera.
    3 Suggesting "small talk" diminishes its true role, as this seemingly informal exchange is actually the most important, building trust, respecting the partner, and laying the foundation for future business relationships.
    4 Cultural awareness in business is the ability to understand, respect, and effectively take into account the cultural characteristics, values, and behavior patterns of partners to build strong and successful business relationships.

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  16. Мухаммад Хайруллаев30 октября 2025 г. в 10:02

    1)In American or European business culture, the main goal of a first meeting is usually to make a deal or conduct business directly. In contrast, in Asia, the purpose is to build a relationship first -to get to know the other party, assess their background and reliability, and establish trust before doing business.
    2)The text mentions examples such as invitations to karaoke evenings in Japan and corporate hospitality activities like time on a yacht on the French Riviera. These are social events used to strengthen relationships before or during business dealings.
    3)The term “small talk” makes it sound trivial, but the text explains that it is actually very important for social interaction. It helps people build rapport and communicate smoothly, even though language learners find it challenging and full of potential for mistakes.
    4)The text highlights cultural awareness as a major focus -understanding cultural norms and social expectations to improve communication and avoid misunderstandings in international business.

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  17. Букарова Фаина 4к 2 гр
    1. American or European businessmen meet to immediately close a deal. Asians, on the other hand, see the purpose of a meeting as establishing a personal relationship and assessing a potential partner before moving on to business.
    2. Two forms of relationship building, according to the text: Informal events to establish contact, such as an invitation to a karaoke night in Japan, and Corporate hospitality, such as sponsoring or organizing visits to major sporting.
    3. According to the text, the term "small talk" undervalues its importance. For language learners, it is not a trivial matter, but a complex and risky undertaking that requires specialized knowledge.
    4. A key aspect of intercultural learning, in addition to language, is awareness of cultural norms. This understanding of the rules of behavior accepted in another culture helps improve communication and avoid misunderstandings.

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  18. 1. Based on the text, when two American or European businesspeople meet, they are there to do a deal, but in Asia they are there to establish a relationship.
    2. The text presents two forms of building relationships: invitations to karaoke evenings in Japan and events on a yacht on the French Riviera.
    3. The text argue that the term "small talk" undervalues its actual importance because language learners see it as a minefield of potential problems and, inevitably, gaffes.
    4. Cultural awareness of norms in these and other areas can lead to better communication and avoidance of misunderstandings.

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  19. Рамазанов Джалалутдин30 октября 2025 г. в 12:09

    1. Explain the key difference in the initial purpose of a meeting between American/European and Asian businesspeople, as described in the text.
    → American and European businesspeople meet primarily to do a deal—their main goal is business negotiation and agreement.
    In contrast, Asian businesspeople meet mainly to establish a relationship—they focus on getting to know their potential partners personally before doing business.

    2. What are two different forms that relationship building can take, according to the text?
    → Relationship building can take various forms, such as:
    • Invitations to karaoke evenings in Japan, and
    • Invitations to a yacht on the French Riviera.
    These activities help strengthen business relationships through social interaction.

    3. Why does the text argue that the term “small talk” undervalues its actual importance?
    → The term “small talk” makes it sound trivial, but the text argues it is actually an important part of social interaction in business and everyday life. It helps build relationships and avoid misunderstandings, so calling it “small” does not reflect its real significance.

    4. Besides language, what is a key focus of cross-cultural training mentioned in the text?
    → A key focus of cross-cultural training, besides language, is understanding cultural norms and behavior in order to improve communication and prevent misunderstandings in international business interactions.

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  20. Джалалова Загидат 4к 2гр
    1 In American and European business culture, the primary goal of the first meeting is usually to conclude a deal or conduct direct commercial negotiations. In contrast, in Asia, the focus is on building relationships: getting to know your partners, assessing their competence and reliability, and creating an atmosphere of trust that will serve as the foundation for future business cooperation.
    2 Among the examples given in the text, we can mention invitations to karaoke nights in Japan and corporate events such as yacht trips on the French Riviera. These events serve to establish or maintain business relationships, both before and during negotiations.
    3 Although the term "small talk" may seem trivial, the text emphasizes its significant role in social interaction. It helps to build rapport and understanding between people. and maintain a continuous dialogue, which can be challenging for language learners and may involve mistakes.
    4 Cultural awareness is a key aspect that is emphasized in the text. It involves understanding cultural norms and social expectations, which can lead to more effective communication and help to avoid misunderstandings in international business.

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  21. Султанова Джамиля30 октября 2025 г. в 14:11

    1. American or European businesspeople meet with the intention to "do a deal," whereas Asian businesspeople meet with the initial purpose of "establishing a relationship" before any business is conducted.
    2. The text provides two examples: invitations to karaoke evenings in Japan and invitations to a yacht on the French Riviera.
    3. Because Language learners see it as a minefield of potential problems and, inevitably, gaffes. People have their favourite stories about such mistakes, perhaps ones they made themselves.
    4. Besides language, a key focus of cross-cultural training is developing "cultural awareness of norms" to facilitate better communication and avoid misunderstandings in social and business interactions.

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  22. Хадижат Джамалудинова30 октября 2025 г. в 15:00

    1.The key difference is that American or European businesspeople meet primarily to "do a deal," while Asian businesspeople meet primarily to "establish a relationship
    2.According to the text, two different forms of relationship building are:
    Invitations to social events like karaoke evenings in Japan yacht on the French Riviera.Corporate hospitality and sponsorship of events like Grand Prix racing or Wimbledon.
    3.The text argues that the term "small talk" undervalues its importance because it is seen as a "minefield of potential problems and gaffes" for language learners and is an essential, much-demanded skill for successful social interaction, not something minor.
    4.Besides language, a key focus of cross-cultural training is cultural awareness of norms (e.g., regarding entertaining and relationship building) to facilitate better communication and avoid misunderstandings.

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  23. Аминат Гасанова30 октября 2025 г. в 15:13

    1.American/European meetings often start with direct agendas and task-focused objectives, aiming to reach concrete decisions quickly, whereas Asian meetings may begin with relationship-building and consensus-seeking before addressing substantive issues. This reflects a priority on harmony and long-term relationships in many Asian contexts. If your text frames it differently, adjust to: Western-style meetings emphasize outcomes and efficiency from the outset; Asian-style meetings emphasize trust-building and group alignment first.



    2. formal relationship-building activities (such as introductory dinners, ceremonial exchanges, or structured social events) and ongoing, informal relationship cultivation (like casual check-ins, steady communication, and mutual support over time). If your text uses specific terminology (e.g., "networking rituals" and "trust-based rapport"), map to those exact phrases.


    3. Common rationale: Small talk serves as a critical vehicle for building rapport, signaling respect, understanding cultural cues, and easing into substantive discussions. It helps establish trust, reveals shared values, and sets the tone for future collaboration;
    dismissing it as trivial overlooks its role in smoothing intercultural interactions.


    4. nonverbal
    communication, etiquette, decision-making styles, negotiation approaches, and emphasis on relationship-building norms. A common phrasing is that training covers cultural frameworks, communication styles, and practices that influence collaboration beyond mere translation.

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  24. Амирхан Сулейманов30 октября 2025 г. в 23:19

    1. The text explains that when American or European businesspeople meet, their main goal is usually to make a deal or conduct business directly. In contrast, Asian businesspeople focus first on building a relationship, getting to know their guest, learning about their background, and assessing whether they would be a suitable business partner. This relationship-building is considered an essential part of the business process, not just polite behavior.
    2.According to the text, relationship building can take various forms depending on the culture:
    1. Entertainment or social activities — for example, karaoke evenings in Japan or yachting on the French Riviera.
    2. Invitations to the host’s home — though this is common only in some cultures, as others keep work and private life separate.
    3.
    The text says that “small talk” is often called “small,” but this undervalues its real importance. Small talk is crucial for social interaction in another language, helping to break the ice and establish connections. However, for language learners, it is also a minefield of potential mistakes, which makes it both challenging and essential in practice.
    4. Besides learning a language, cross-cultural training focuses on cultural awareness — understanding the norms, expectations, and etiquette in different countries. This helps prevent misunderstandings, improves social interaction, and facilitates smoother communication in business settings.

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  25. Исрапил Халилов31 октября 2025 г. в 00:31

    1. The text indicates that American and European entrepreneurs typically focus on closing deals during meetings, while Asian businesspeople place more emphasis on building personal relationships, seeking to get to know their potential partners better.
    2)"Entertaining in the form of invitations to your host's home," which is common in some cultures but not others.
    3) The text argues that the term "small talk" underestimates its true meaning, as language learners perceive it as a minefield of potential problems and, inevitably, mistakes.
    4.Awareness of cultural norms in these and other areas can contribute to more effective communication and help avoid misunderstandings.

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  26. Mamaev Gasan

    Task 4: Open questions for understanding
    1. Explain the main difference in the initial purpose of the meeting between the American/European and Asian businessmen, as described in the text.

    The main difference lies in the main purpose. For American or European businessmen, the first meeting is, first of all, the conclusion of a deal. In contrast, for Asian businessmen, the initial goal is to establish relationships. The Asian approach focuses on getting to know a potential partner's background and contacts as an important first step before making any business deal.
    2. What two different forms can a relationship take, according to the text?

    Two different forms are mentioned:
    Karaoke nights in Japan.
    Invitations to a yacht on the French Riviera.
    3. Why does the text claim that the term "small talk" underestimates its true meaning?

    The text argues that the term "small talk" is misleading because it suggests that the conversation is trivial or insignificant. In fact, this type of social interaction is crucial for establishing mutual understanding and facilitating social interaction. The text highlights its importance, as language learners view it as a "minefield with potential problems," indicating that understanding a language correctly is a difficult task that is essential for successful communication.
    4. Besides language, what is the key area of intercultural learning mentioned in the text?

    In addition to language learning, a key area of intercultural learning is the development of cultural awareness. This involves understanding different social norms and practices, such as appropriate forms of entertainment and the relationship between work and personal life in different cultures, which promotes better social interaction and avoids misunderstandings.

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