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2. Telephoning across cultures
Many people are not very confident about using the telephone in English. However, good preparation can make telephoning much easier and more effective. Then, once the call begins, speak slowly and clearly and use simple language.
Check that you understand what has been said. Repeat the most important information, look for confirmation. Ask for repetition if you think it is necessary.
Remember too that different cultures have different ways of using
language. Some speak in a very literal way so it is always quite clear what
they mean. Others are more indirect, using hints, suggestions and
understatement (for example not very good results = absolutely disastrous)
to put over their message. North America,
Meanwhile, for a similar reason Japanese, Russian and Arabs subtle countries sometimes seem vague and devious to the British. If they say an idea is interesting it may be out of politeness.
The opposite of this is that plain speakers can seem rude and dominating to subtle speakers, as Americans can sound to the British or the British to the Japanese.
The British have the tendency to engage in small talk at the beginning and end of a telephone conversation. Questions about the weather, health, business in general and what one has been doing recently are all part of telephoning, laying a foundation for the true purpose of the call. At the end of the call there may well be various pleasantries, Nice talking to you, Say hello to the family (if you have met them) and Looking forward to seeing you again soon. A sharp, brief style of talking on the phone may appear unfriendly to a British partner. Not all nationalities are as keen on small talk as the British!
Being aware of these differences can help in understanding people with different cultural traditions. The difficulty on the telephone is that you cannot see the body language to help you.
Choose the closest definition of the following words from the text.
literal
a. direct and clear b. full of literary style c. abstract and
complicated
understatement
a. kind words b. less strong way of talking c. clever
speech
deduce
a. reduce b. work out c. disagree
vague
a. unclear b. unfriendly c. insincere
devious
a. rude b. dishonest c. clever
pleasantries
a. question b. request c. polite remarks
Telephoning (1)
Introducing yourself
Good morning, Aristo.
Hello, this is from
Hello, my names calling from
Saying who you want
Id like to speak to please.
Could I have the Department, please?
Is there, please?
Saying someone is not available
Im sorry he/shes not available
Sorry,
he/shes away / not in / in a meeting / in
Leaving and taking messages
Could you give him/her a message?
Can I leave him/her a message?
Please tell him/her
Please ask him/her to ring me on
Can I take a message?
If you give me your number Ill ask him/her to call you later.
Offering to help in other ways
Can anyone else help you?
Can I help you perhaps?
Would you like to speak to his assistant?
Shall I ask him to call you back?
Asking for repetition
Sorry, I didnt catch (your name / your number / your company name )
Sorry, could you repeat your (name, number, etc.).
Sorry, I didnt hear that.
Sorry, I didnt understand that.
Could you spell (that / your name), please.
Acknowledging repetition
Okay, Ive got that now.
(Mr. Kyoto) I understand.
I see, thank you.
Skill Checklist
Telephoning: Preparation for a call
Desk preparation
Have the following available:
Relevant documentation / notes
Correspondence received
Computer files on screen
Pen and paper
Diary
Check time available
How much time do you need?
How much time do you have?
Objectives
Who do you want to speak to?
In case of non/availability, have an alternative strategy:
Call back / be called back when?
Leave a message
Speak to someone else
Write or fax information
Do you want to:
Find out information?
Give information?
Introduction
Do you need to refer to:
A previous call?
A letter, order, invoice or fax?
Someone else (who?)
An event (what? When?)
Prediction
What do you expect the other person to say / ask you? how will you respond?
Exercise 1 Making a call
A few common expressions are enough for most telephone conversations. Practice these telephone expressions by completing the following dialogue using the words listed below.
Switchboard Conglomerate Group; can I help you?
You Could I ------ ------- Mr. Pardee, please?
Switchboard Putting you ------ .
Secretary Hello, Mr. Pardees ------ . -------- I help you?
You ------, can you hear me? Its a ------ line. Could you --- ---- up, please?
Secretary IS THAT BETTER? Whos --------, please?
You (your name) from (your company).
Secretary Oh, hello. How nice to hear from you again. We havent seen you for ages. How are you?
You Fine thanks. Could you ------- me -------- to Mr. Pardee, please?
Secretary -------- the line a moment. Ill see if hes in. Im sorry, Im afraid hes not in the ------- at the ------ . Could you give me your ----------, and Ill ask him to ------- you ---------- ?
You Im ----- 347
8621. Thats
Secretary Would you like to leave any -------- for him?
You No thanks. Just tell him I --------- .
Secretary Certainly. Nice to hear from you again.
You Ill expect him to ------- me this afternoon, then. Thanks.
Secretary Youre welcome. Goodbye.
On speak to back message bad put number call ring
Secretary through office speak speaking can hello
Rang hold moment through
Note: If you do not hear or understand the other person, say: Im sorry? or Im sorry, I dont understand. It is not polite to say: Please repeat!
DATAFILE: The Telephone
This datafile gives you many of the terms and phrases commonly used in making telephone calls.
The directory
Look up their number in the directory. (
Ill look up the number in the telephone book. (US).
The number is ex-directory. (
The number is unlisted. (US).
Ill ring Directory Enquiries. (
Ill ring information. (US).
The receiver
Can I help you?
Putting you through.
Im afraid hes not available at the moment. (
Im afraid hes tided up at the moment.
Youre welcome. Goodbye.
The line
Hes on the other line.
Would you like to hold the line?
The line is engaged. (
The line is busy. (US).
The operator (in the public telephone system)
Dial 100 for the operator. (
Dial 0 (zero) for the operator. (US).
Id like to make a reverse charge call. (
Id like to make a collect call. (US).
Id like to make a transfer charge call. (
The dial
Dial 123 for the correct time. (
Listen for the dialling tone.
All lines to the country you have dialled are engaged.
Please try later. (
The codebook
Im on a long distance (or international) call.
The STD code is (
The area code is (US).
A message pad
Can I tell him who called?
Can I give her a message?
Let me take down your number.
Remember
If you do not understand, say Sorry, I didnt quite catch that.
Practice 1
Use the following flow chart to make a complete telephone conversation. If you need to, refer to the Language Checklist.
Caller Receptionist
Good morning, Gorliz and Zimmerman.
Introduce yourself.
Ask to speak to Mr. Conrad Bird.
Mr. Bird is not in.
Ask when you can contact him.
Explain that he is away offer to take a message.
You want Mr. Bird to call you.
Repeat your name.
Give your number.
Confirm the information.
End call.
End call.
In the following conversation, a Singaporean exporter
plans to send goods from
Suggest suitable phrases for each step in the conversation, then practice the dialogue with a colleague.
Caller (Computech) Called Person (Intership)
Intership, good morning.
Greeting.
Introduce yourself.
Check name.
Confirm / correct.
Offer to help.
Ask for appointment
with Mr. Dionis.
Ask what its about.
Explain that you want
to discuss transport of goods
from
Acknowledge ask when would be a good time.
Suggest next week.
Reject Mr. Dionis is away.
Suggest beginning of next
month.
Agree.
Suggest Monday 3rd.
Reject On Monday Mr. Dionis is busy all day.
Suggest Tuesday.
Agree. Suggest 10.00 a.m.
Agree ask for fax to confirm.
Offer to book hotel.
Agree to fax hotel booking
is not necessary.
Signal end of call.
End call / thanks / refer to fax, etc.
End call.
Language Checklist
Telephoning (2)
Stating reason for a call
Im ringing to
Id like to
I need some information about
Making arrangements
Could we meet some time next month?
When would be a good time?
Would Thursday at 5 oclock suit you?
What about July 21st?
That would be fine.
No, sorry, I cant make it then.
Sorry Im too busy next week.
Changing arrangements
Weve an appointment for next month, but
Im afraid I cant come on that day.
Could we fix an alternative?
Confirming information
So
Can I check that? You said
To confirm that
Can you / can I confirm that by fax?
Ending a call
Right. I think that all.
Thanks very much for your help.
Do call if you need anything else.
I look forward to seeing you / your call / your letter / your fax / our meeting.
Goodbye and thanks.
Bye for now.
Skills Checklist
Telephoning (2)
Voice
Speed
Clarity
Volume
Structure
Background information
Key information
Repetition, emphasis and confirmation
Possible confirmation by fax
Style
Formal / informal
Cold call / new contact / established contact
In-company vs. Customer / Supplier / Outside agent
Colleague / friend / business associate / public
Company image
Structure of a call
Beginning
Introduce yourself
Get who you want
Small talk
State problem / reason for call
Middle
Ask questions
Get / give information
Confirm information
End
Signal end
Thank other person
Small talk
Refer to next contact
Close call
Check that theres nothing else to say
It is not always possible to follow your original plans. You, or your contact, may want to change an appointment.
Language input To apologize, say: Im afraid that .
Im sorry but
To suggest another time, say: Could I suggest ?
What about ?
Below is the schedule for your week in
Hello? Mr. Rossi? This is the Australian Chemical Bank. Im Mr. Whitles secretary. I understand you have an appointment for 10 a.m. on Tuesday 13th. Im afraid that Mr. Whitley is rather tied up them. Could I suggest Monday instead?
Yes, Im sure that will be OK.
Hello, Mr. Rossi? Tim Brown, your agent. Small problem. Our meeting for Friday is all right, but Monday afternoon is likely to be difficult; someone is coming to see us who might be a useful outlet for some of your range. perhaps we could change our meeting to Tuesday afternoon?
Yes, OK. Right, thats fine.
Mr. Rossi? Its Jenny Kinsella here. From B.I.G. Im sorry but my colleagues cant all make it on Thursday afternoon. Could I suggest we meet on Tuesday instead?
Er yes why not? OK Well, thank you very much.
Hello again, Tim Brown here again. I forgot; I have some other customers visiting on Friday morning. How about a meeting on Thursday sometime, if thats all right with you?
Right. Sorry to be difficult. Thanks a lot, Mr. Rossi. Bye now.
Mr.
Rossi? Good morning. Im ringing for Mr. Lund of
Well, I think that should be all right. Ill give you a cal this afternoon to confirm. Thank you. Goodbye.
Monday, 12 November
Morning Arrive
Afternoon 3 p.m. Tim Brown (agent) at hotel
Tuesday, 13 November
Morning 10 a.m. Mr. Whitley, Australian Chemical Bank
Afternoon
Wednesday, 14 November
Morning
Afternoon 2 p.m.
Thursday, 15 November
Morning
Afternoon 3 p.m. Jenny Kinsella + colleagues (B.I.G. Distribution)
Friday, 16 November
Morning 11 a.m. Tim Brown
Afternoon flight 390, Depart Sydney 6 p.m.
Use the flow chart below as the basis for a telephone conversation involving a complaint. Refer to the Language Checklist if you need to.
Berraondo
(Sales Office)
Answer.
Greeting.
Introduce yourself.
Offer to help.
Explain problem.
Order HF5618 for 20 printers.
Only 17 have arrived.
Express surprise.
This is second time you have
received an incomplete delivery.
Suggest possible error in order administration.
Agree say you need the
other three printers urgently.
Delays are costing you goodwill
unhappy customers.
Explain stock problems.
Ask for a promise of delivery
date ASAP.
Promise next Monday.
Complain you want despatch now.
Express regret not possible.
Ask for fax to confirm despatch.
Agree apologize.
End call.
Language Checklist
Telephoning (3)
Stating reason for the call
Im calling about
Unfortunately, theres a problem with
Im ringing to complain about
Explaining the problem
There seems to be
We havent received
The doesnt work.
The quality of the work is below standard.
The specifications are not in accordance with our order.
Referring to previous problems
Its not the first time weve had this problem.
This is the (third) time this has happened.
Three months ago
We had a meeting about this and you assured us that
Threatening
If the problem is not resolved
Well have to reconsider our position.
Well have to renegotiate the contract.
Well contact other suppliers.
The consequences could be very serious.
Handling complaints and other problems
Asking for details
Could you tell me exactly what ?
Can you tell me ?
Whats the ?
Apologizing
Im sorry to hear that.
Im sorry about the problem / delay / mistake
Denying an accusation
No, I dont think that can be right.
Im sorry but I think youre mistaken.
Im afraid thats not quite right.
Im afraid that cant be true.
Skills Checklist
Telephoning (3)
If you receive a complaint:
Consider your companys reputation
Express surprise
Ask for details
Suggest action
Promise to investigate
Make reasonable suggestions, offers to help.
Consider your customer and:
Show polite understanding
Use active listening
Reassure customer.
If you make a complaint:
Prepare for the call
Be sure of the facts
Have documentation available
Decide what you require to resolve the problem at least partially or completely.
Who is to blame?
Who is responsible?
Are you talking to the right person?
Was your order or your specifications correct?
Were you partly responsible for arrangements which went wrong, e.g. transport?
Does responsibility actually lie elsewhere, i.e. with a third party?
If you do not get what you want:
Keep control state what you need calmly
Do you need to continue to do business with the other side?
If you do, keep a good relationship
Express disappointment not anger
Dont use threats unless you have to!
Read the text, then mark the sentences that follow as True (T) or False (F).
In some countries, like
If you are talking to people who are also speaking English as a foreign language, they are likely to leave gaps and silences while they search for words or try to make sense of what you have just said. So be patient and try not to interrupt, as you would hope they would be patient with you.
Every country has its own codes of etiquette. For example it is common
for Anglo-Saxons to use first names very quickly, even in a letter of fax or
telephone call. Such instant familiarity is much less acceptable in the rest of
Europe and
So stick to last names unless you specifically agree to do otherwise. Dont interpret the other persons formality as stiffness or unfriendliness. On the other hand, if business partners with an Anglo-Saxon background get on to first name terms straightaway, dont be surprised.
Above all, one should remember that people do not usually mind if their own codes are broken by foreigners as long as they sense consideration and goodwill. This is much more important than a set of rules of etiquette.
a. For the British and the Italians it is normal to interrupt the other speaker during the conversation.
b. A special importance is attached to listening in Japanese and Finnish cultures.
c. One should interrupt and try to help speakers who may have difficulty in saying what they want to say.
d. It is unusual for Americans and British to use first names early in a business relationship.
e. It doesnt matter if you break certain social rules if it is clear that you are sensitive to other people.
f. Etiquette is the critical point in telephoning between different cultures.
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