International Business Travel

Dialogue 1

A: I hear you’re being sent to Madrid for the annual conference. Is thatright?

B: Yes, it would be my first trip overseas. Actually, it’s going to be myfirst time leaving the country.

A: Are you serious? You haven’t even been anywhere on vacation?

B: No, I have never vacationed anywhere exotic. But even if I don’t get achance to travel on my personal time, at least I can travel on company time!

A: Well, being able to go to the conference sounds like such a greatopportunity. Have you applied at the embassy for a visa yet?

B: Yes, it wasn’t too hard to get. All I had to do was fill out thepaperwork and pay the application fee.

A: You leave next Tuesday, right? What time is your flight?

B: My flight departs at 7 am. I have everything except for my luggageready.

A: If your flight is leaving so early, I can take you to the airport andsee you off. I’ll still be able to make it into the office by 9.

B: That would be great! Thanks a lot!

Dialogue 2

A: How were things in the Tokyo branch when you were there?

B: Good! They have expanded and are doing better than they were lastquarter. It’s nice to see some improvement for a change.

A: Do you see the trend continuing over the next few months?

B: Yes, especially with so many of our executives going back and forth fromhere to Japan. The only problem is, they may have trouble when they go to openup business here.

A: Why would you say that?

B: They aren’t too familiar with doing business outside of Japan. There area lot of cultural differences to account for.

A: I’ll say! Sometimes they just do things really differently. But onething I can say, they are really hospitable.

B: Have you ever been to Japan?

A: Sure! I just got back yesterday. I’m still suffering from jet lag.