Janet:
Yes, it is.
There are so many elegantly dressed guests, and the venue is magnificent.
You:
I agree. They really make it feel like a special occasion, don’t they?
Did you have to come far to get here today?
Janet:
I flew in from Sapporo earlier this afternoon.
I work as a PR contact for ABC Company there.
You:
Sapporo, wow! That’s some way. I myself came here from Shizuoka.
I’m the director of a local television station there.
Taro Tanaka, pleased to make your acquaintance.
Janet:
Nice to meet you too.
I’m Janet Adams, but everyone calls me Jan.
You:
Jan, that’s easy to remember. Please call me Taro.
So Jan, how do you like living in Hokkaido…?
Amanda:
Hi Ken, have you met Professor Anderson?
You know he is one of the leading lights in neurosurgery these days.
You:
Of course I know his name, but no, I haven’t met him yet.
Is he here today?
Amanda:
Yes, he’s over there. If you like, I’ll introduce you to him.
You:
That’d be great, I’d love to meet him.
(Pause)
Amanda:
Hello, Professor Anderson. Could I steal a little of your time?
Prof. Anderson:
Oh, hi Amanda, lovely to see you. Yes, of course you can.
Amanda:
I’d like to introduce my ex-colleague Ken Sato to you.
Ken and his team pioneered some interesting new techniques in brain surgery.
You:
It’s an honour to meet you, Professor Anderson.
I’m Ken Sato from the ABC college hospital.
Last year, your paper on XYZ really inspired me to try some new methods.
I wanted to thank you.
Prof. Anderson:
The pleasure is all mine.
I’d be interested to hear more about the techniques you developed…!
You:
Yes, I’m having a lot of fun. The food is excellent and the company most stimulating.
I do have a small favour to ask you!
Party host:
Sure. What can I do for you?
You:
Could you introduce me to Ms Gonzalez?
I hear she is from Spain.
I’ll be moving to Spain this winter, and I’d like to ask her advice on some things.
Party host:
Sure thing . That’s a great idea.
You’re right, she is from Spain and she has a lot of experience trading between Spain and Japan.
May I have your name?
You:
I’m Ichiro Suzuki from ABC Corporation.
(Pause)
Party host:
Good evening, Ms Gonzalez, may I introduce you to Mr Suzuki.
He’ll be transferring to Spain in a few months.
Ms Gonzalez:
Mr Suzuki, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Valentina Gonzalez.
Party host:
Mr Suzuki is from ABC Corporation.
Well, I’ll leave you two to talk all about life in Spain.
Ms Gonzalez:
Thank you. So, Mr Suzuki, you’re going to be moving to Spain?
You:
Please call me Ichiro. Yes, I’ll be moving a there at the end of the year!
I was wondering if you could give me some advice on…