Arabs consider it extremely bad manners to start talking business immediately. Even the busiest government official always takes extra time to be polite and offer refreshments (茶点). No matter how busy you are, you should make time for this.

The conference visit is a way of doing business throughout the Arab world. Frequently, you will have to discuss your business in the presence of strangers, who may or may not have anything to do with your business. Do not be surprised if your meeting is interrupted several times by people who come into the room unannounced, whisper, or speak softly to the person with whom you are talking, and leave. Act as though you do not hear, and never show displeasure at being interrupted.

Making decisions quickly is not an Arab custom. There is a vagueness (模糊) in doing business in the Middle East which will puzzle a newcomer. Give yourself lots of time and ask lots of questions.

When an Arab says “yes”, he may mean “maybe”. When he says “maybe”, he probably means “no”. You will seldom get a direct “no” from an Arab because it is considered not polite. Instead of “no”, he will say “inshallah”, which means “if God is willing”. On the other hand, “yes” does not necessarily mean “yes”. A smile and a slow nod might be like an agreement but in fact your host is being polite. An Arab considers it rude to disagree with a guest.

The main purpose of this article is to explain _________________.

       A. why you need extra time when you visit Arab countries

       B. how to be polite when doing business in the Arab world

       C. why Arab officials are so busy

       D. what Arabs say when doing business

According to the article, which of the following would be considered polite?

       A. You leave angrily because of interruptions.

       B. You demand an immediate decision.

       C. You refuse a cup of tea and show pictures of your product right away.

       D. You look out of the window while a stranger comes in to speak with your host.

Which of the following is NOT an Arab custom?

       A. To care less about being interrupted during their meeting.

       B. Often to give you a vague answer.

       C. Seldom to say “no” directly.

       D. Seldom to hesitate to start talking business in the presence of strangers.

We consider it important that a plan ______ before doing a work.

A) to be made         B) should make      C) be made           D) will be made

We consider it necessary that a plan _______ before doing the work.

I consider myself something of an expert on apologies. A quick temper has   36  me with plenty of opportunities to make them. In one of my earlier   37 , my mother was telling me “Don’t watch the   38  when you say, ‘I’m sorry’. Hold your head up and look at the person in the   39 , so he’ll know you   40  it.”
My mother thus made the key point of a(n)   41  apology: It must be direct. You must never   42  to be doing something else. You do not   43  a pile of letters while apologizing to a person   44   in position after blaming him or her for a mistake that turned out to be your   45 . You do not apologize to a hostess, whose guest of honor you treat   46 , by sending flowers the next day without mentioning your bad   47 .
One of the important things we should do for an   48  apology is a readiness to   49  the responsibility for our careless mistakes. We are used to making excuses, which leaves no   50  for the other person to   51  us. Since most people are open-hearted, the no-excuse apology leaves both parties feeling   52  about themselves. That , after all, is the   53  of every apology. It   54  little whether the apologizer is wholly or only partly at fault. Answering for one’s   55  encourages others to take their share of the blame.

Arabs consider it extremely bad manners to start talking business immediately. Even the busiest government official always takes extra time to be polite and offer refreshments (茶点). No matter how busy you are, you should make time for this.
The conference visit is a way of doing business throughout the Arab world. Frequently, you will have to discuss your business in the presence of strangers, who may or may not have anything to do with your business. Do not be surprised if your meeting is interrupted several times by people who come into the room unannounced, whisper, or speak softly to the person with whom you are talking, and leave. Act as though you do not hear, and never show displeasure at being interrupted.
Making decisions quickly is not an Arab custom. There is a vagueness (模糊) in doing business in the Middle East which will puzzle a newcomer. Give yourself lots of time and ask lots of questions.
When an Arab says “yes”, he may mean “maybe”. When he says “maybe”, he probably means “no”. You will seldom get a direct “no” from an Arab because it is considered not polite. Instead of “no”, he will say “inshallah”, which means “if God is willing”. On the other hand, “yes” does not necessarily mean “yes”. A smile and a slow nod might be like an agreement but in fact your host is being polite. An Arab considers it rude to disagree with a guest.
【小题1】The main purpose of this article is to explain _________________.