|  "So broadly speaking we're in agreement here?"
This may mean an issue is left unresolved. People talk around a problem; they identify it maybe, but will avoid too much argument. Discussion is good, too much argument is seen as divisive and personal. Instead they will go away and think about it, maybe have quiet one-to-one conversations, exchange an email or two, and then plan the next step.
"I don't want to impose a decision from the MD's chair"
Managers like to have everyone’s views ‘on board’ and for the team ‘to go forward together’. British managers are less openly bossy, but will of course exercise their influence in a quieter, less noticed way.
"Cup of tea?"
People offer tea or coffee or a cold drink before every meeting. You do not have to accept it, but if you yourself are supervising a meeting in the UK, don’t forget to offer drinks (that's tea, coffee and water - not whisky).
"Did you see the cricket?"
Almost every meeting in the UK starts with a conversation about the weather or traffic or sports match or some celebrity or other. It's called 'small talk'.
"Let's take this one day at a time"
Don't expect too much detailed planning in a meeting. The British exchange views and introduce solutions that are a bit vague. Approximation and vagueness is a part of the language: see it through, sort it out, roughly speaking, just after midday, the next step (as opposed to the longterm solution) are expressions you will hear a lot.
"I'm not sure I go along with that"
When people mean 'no' they will say "Yes, but…" or "That’s a good idea – for the future".
"Sorry if I'm a bit late"
Avoid being late.
"Sorry"
The British say sorry a lot. But they aren't really sorry. Well, not all the time. You can say sorry if you don't hear something, if you are standing in someone's way, if you touch them accidentally, if they have parked their car in your space (sorry but ...), if they disagree, and in lots of other situations. |
