Part Ⅰ Situational Dialogues
Situational Dialogue 1
Linda and Sue continue to talk about the outer packing of PE boxes.
Sue：What about the export packing？
Linda：Well，they are packed in cartons，25 pieces to one carton，gross weight around 20 kilos a carton.
Sue：Cartons？
Linda：Yes，corrugated cardboard boxes.
Sue：Could you use wooden cases instead？
Linda：Why use wooden cases？
Sue：I’m afraid the cardboard boxes are not strong enough for such a long voyage.
Linda：No need to worry about that. Cartons are quite seaworthy. They are extensively used in our shipments to continental ports. There is never any complaint from our clients.
Sue：If you could guarantee compensation in case the insurance company refuses to honor a claim for faulty packing. We would be quite willing to accept cartons.
Linda：I’m sorry，but we can’t take on any responsibility that is beyond our powers.
Sue：I can understand your position. Perhaps I’m asking too much. Well，I will take cartons. One more thing，could you mark our initials MIC in a diamond on the outer packing，with the port of destination and our order number under it？
Linda：Yes，we can do that.
Sue：By the way，as the goods will be shipped a long distance，all the cartons should be lined with plastic sheets，absolutely waterproof.
Linda：No problem. I can assure you that all the packing is waterproof. And as the cartons are made of cardboard，they will be handled with care.
Sue：All right，thanks for your cooperation.
Linda：My pleasure.
Practice 1
Task 1：Listen to the dialogue and role-play it in pairs.
Task 2：Simulated situational conversation.
Suppose you are Jane，the sales representative of a company，and your partner is Mike，the buyer. After discussing the price，quality and quantity，the two of you are going to discuss packing.