When i have dinner with my clients, i always keep silent. Could you please kindly advise me what kinds of topics are proper during dinner.

Replying to [Tina liu]:
Discuss your business and your business relationship, future co-operation, speak about their home cities, countries etc. Ask thema bout their families, hobbies etc etc etc Surely you can think of something.

Replying to [Tina liu]:If they are foregneirs you can ask if they like your country.. You can ask about politics, about weather (if they are british i cannot recommend anything more), etc..

Replying to [Tina liu]:

First: Business
Second: You Just Speak About His Character, Its Nice And All Etc..
Third: Country
Fourth: Family

etc.................

Replying to [Tina liu]:
Don't speak about politics as previously suggested.
Nothing worse than silence!!
From your clients perspective they want open communication - it will give both parties an opportunity to build up a social and business relationship. You will do better business if your clients are put at ease. At the end of the day just be your self and be open and relaxed.

Replying to [Tina liu]: It is big problem if you keep silent..for my experience..first I talk business...then talk others..such as the family member...some foreigners are glad to show their happy story to you..

Replying to [Tina liu]:

I think by engaging in meaningful conversation, you can really build a relationship with your customer. Most Chinese people like to engage in wild drinking adventures (which some foreigners enjoy), but I feel it doesn't accomplish the ultimate goal of creating a stronger relationship. Some good and simple topics you can talk about are:

How was their day?
What is their impression of your company? Strengths? Weaknesses?
Do they have any concerns?
How have they scheduled the remainder of their business trip?
How does the upcoming year look for them?
How can you improve your services and communication?
You can talk about changes in the Chinese industry.
I love talking about raw materials and design.

As far as non-business, feel free to talk about your hobbies or other activities but be sure to explain it eloquently. There is nothing worse than answering a question: "I like to read" and then to hear silence. What kinds of books do you like to read? What have you read recently? Why do you like reading a certain genre of books?

Overall, I think the most important thing you can do is engage in conversation that shows you are a good listener. I've found many Chinese people just like to talk with a me, me, me voice (I'm sorry for the generalization, I know there are many good Chinese conversationalists) , and in actuality are very poor listeners. It seems the goal of many people is to get their point across and "win" a conversation. Maybe my experiences are biased, but either way if you learn to become a good listener, you will find creating an engaing conversation to be very easy.

Dear all,
Thank you for your kind message ([em38), it is very useful to me. My trademanager ID is: cgs_guweineon, please add me to your contact list, i want to be a good talker.

Replying to [Tina liu]: Just talk to them formal like how they dinner...what they say about the place...who they business is going on. do go too much personal.

I know this is an old topic, but I have a simple little formula I use when I have a silence in the conversation.

Just remember this word........"FORM"

F - Family -- Ask about family members, brothers, sisters, spouses, children etc.

O - Occupation -- Job's past and present, this is an easy one.

R - Relationships -- Spouses, business, any relationships and their happenings

M - Money -- We all like to talk about it

I originally used it for first dates in college but it works in the business world too!

Quoting from [Tina liu]:


When i have dinner with my clients, i always keep silent. Could you please kindly advise me what kinds of topics are proper during dinner.

Dear Tina,

Please appreciate this, I have to spend at least half an hour to type my answer.

Very much depends on the culture of your guests, if they are Chinese-American, or Indian, or Middle-Eastern Arabs or Japanese, or Caucasians (Europeans, Britons, Americans).

To Americans, they like women who are expressionists, and verbose. It will be good to talk about the virtues of life, about their families, their company and their country. Inject some light hearted jokes, but not Black jokes or Colored jokes, only pure and honest ones. However, you should NEVER do these:

• stand up while eating at the table.
• put your elbow on the table.
• use the knife and put it into your mouth -- for Western food of steaks.
• talk with your mouth full of food, chewing and talking.
• take a big piece which is hard to chew.
• say that you do not drink, but say that you are alcohol intolerant, they will understand.
• use your chopstick and pick up food to serve your guest.
• simply stand up and walk away from the table without first asking for permission and excuse.
• brag about yourself or your company in front of the guests. They already knew everything before they come to you.
• rush for the bill in front of the other guests and waitresses.

For Chinese guests .. you know the table manners. For the Arabs, it is not good to invite them for dinner, and do not give them a bottle of wine or whisky as gifts. Also remember to handle everything with your right hand, and do not speak when not told to do so.

Street Smart