On the phone

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

Disagree with your opponent, argue in favour of your position.

Business by bartering and discuss the matter. Ask questions, agree or

Task 3. Divide into groups of advocates and opponents of the idea of doing

After reading

Task 1. Discuss what Charlotte Baxter meant saying that “bartering is back again.”(para. 1)

Task 2. The author of the article considers that “a shortage of cash or an unstable currency can drive alternative local economies – barter schemes are becoming a way of life.” (para.4) Do you share her viewpoint? If not, why?

The following is given to you as an example.

Advocates (supporters) Opponents
In the midst of economic crisis, bartering enables people to, at least economically, communicate with each other, if not the rest of the world, which is better than the stagnation and wasted capacity of no means of economic communication at all. Bartering is, in my opinion, a healthy way to recycle, reuse and get in touch with your community, and that is why I decided to start the OneFairMarket.com project. The project seems strange and vulnerable. Wouldn’t barter lead to less tax being paid? Can the tax be calculated and paid without using £ or $ signs?

 

Look at the following pictures. What do you think symbolizes Britishness?

 

 

Is there anything more British than red telephone boxes? Like giant red soldiers, they have been a landmark for a lifetime.

Read the words and expressions in the box below. Can you add anything else to this list?

telephone box (Am.- tel. booth), telephone directory, phone card, (tele)phone number, answering machine/answer phone, mobile phone (Am. cellphone), telephone handset, videophone; to telephone /phone/call/ring somebody, dial a phone number, answer/get the phone, be wanted on the phone, talk on the phone, hang up