62 Business Spotlight 3/2020 LANGUAGE
Fotos: hobo_018/iStock.com; Gert KrautbauerThe invitation
The CEO: When do you and your husband go back
to Hamburg, Mrs Wendling?
Jackie: Wednesday next week.
The CEO: Next week? Then you must both come to
the awards gala on Saturday. Our compa-
ny has a couple of free places.
Jackie: That’s very kind of you, but I’m not really
part of the company.
T h e C E O : You’re a trusted consultant. And it would
be a chance for you to network with
some of the top people in our business.
Jackie: Well, if you are sure it would be OK...
The CEO: I won’t take no for an answer. When
we’ve finished here, speak to Karen, my
assistant. She has all the information.
Jackie: Where will it be held?
The CEO: In the Grand Hotel in the city centre.
Jackie: I must admit, it does sound interesting.
I look forward to it.Discussing what to do
Wolfgang: So, Mr Green twisted your arm about
going on Saturday, did he?
Jackie: Yes, he did. He was rather persuasive!
Wolfgang: I can imagine. And you say it’s a black-tie
event? What on earth do we wear? I’ve
only got my grey lounge suit with me.
Jackie: I haven’t got anything formal to wear
either.
Wolfgang: I’ll ask our hotel concierge about where
we can hire clothes.
Jackie: Would you please also ask if they can rec-
ommend a good hairdresser?Wolfgang: The hotel has a lady’s stylist in the lobby.
Call down and make an appointment.
Jackie: I’ll do that. You find out about dress hire.Hiring the dress
Jackie: I need to hire an evening dress for the
weekend.
Assistant: Certainly, madam. Let me first take your
measurements, and then we can see
what we have in stock in your size. What
sort of dress are you looking for?
Jackie: It’s a black-tie event at the Grand Hotel.
I’m not sure what I should wear.
Assistant: You could wear a cocktail dress or a pant-
suit, but a floor-length gown might be
more appropriate.
Jackie: I don’t want anything strapless or off-
the-shoulder.
Assistant: Have you thought about the colour?
Jackie: I don’t often have the chance to dress up.
I’d like something quite special.
Assistant: We do have a range of designer gowns.
Jackie: Well, we could have a look, but I also
have to be conscious of the price.Hiring the suit
Wolfgang: My name is Wendling. I rang you this
morning about my hiring a dinner suit
for Saturday. I have a fitting appoint-
ment at two o’clock.
Assistant: Mr Wendling? Ah, yes, we were expect-
ing you. I’ll need to take your measure-
ments, but I’m sure we can find some-
thing that will suit you.
Wolfgang: I really hope so.
Assistant: Once I’ve taken your measurements, you
can decide which style of dinner suit you
prefer.
Wolfgang: Do you have many styles to choose from?
Assistant: Indeed, we do, sir. We can offer several
different own-brand suit styles, or you
could choose from the more expensive
range of designer label suits.
Wolfgang: When would I be able to pick it up?
Assistant: On Friday morning.
Wolfgang: Perfect. Thank you.appropriate
[E(prEUpriEt]
, passend
black tie [)blÄk (taI]
, Abendgarderobe
CEO (chief executive
officer) [)si: i: (EU]
, Geschäftsführer(in)
concierge [(kQnsieEZ]
, Rezeptionist(in)
dinner suit
[(dInE su:t]
, Abendanzug
dress up [)dres (Vp]
, sich festlich kleiden
fitting [(fItIN]
, Anprobe
floor-length gown
[)flO: leNT (gaUn]
, bodenlanges Kleid
in stock: have sth. ~
[In (stQk]
, etw. vorrätig/auf Lager
haben
look forward to sth.
[)lUk (fO:wEd tu]
, sich auf etw. freuen
lounge suit
[(laUndZ su:t] UK
, Straßenanzug
off-the-shoulder
[)Qf DE (SEUldE]
, schulterfrei
own brand
[)EUn (brÄnd]
, Eigen-, Hausmarke
pantsuit
[(pÄntsu:t]
, (Damen-)Hosenanzug
strapless [(strÄplEs]
, ohne Träger
take no for an answer:
not ~
[teIk )nEU fEr En (A:nsE]
, ein Nein (als Antwort)
nicht akzeptieren /
gelten lassen
twist sb.’s arm
[)twIst )sVmbEdiz (A:m]
, jmdn. überredenSurprise
invitation:
hire a suitKEN TAYLOR
is a communication
consultant and
author of 50 Ways
to Improve Your
Business English
(Lulu Publishing).
Contact:
[email protected]LANGUAGE
ENGLISH ON THE MOVEPreparing for a formal occasion
Die kurzfristige Einladung zu einem offiziellen Anlass verlangt Spontaneität.
KEN TAYLOR hilft Ihnen bei den Vorbereitungen.
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