Talking About Your Journey to a Trade Fair
Small talk at the trade fair stand: chatting about the journey, keeping the conversation going — and saying goodbye correctly.
Tip: listen to the episode twice before you start the test. · Worksheet (PDF)
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Comprehension test
Listen first, then answer. No penalties — every explanation points to the moment in the conversation.
Four o'clock works. Then we see us — sorry, then ___ at four!
Anyway, how is the fair going for you so far? Is it ___ the trip?
Transcript
Key phrases
Language notes
In this episode two business partners meet at a trade fair stand and chat about the journey: a delayed train, a lost taxi driver, a mid-fair check-in. You learn the small-talk formulas around travel ("How did you get here?", "worth the trip") — and why "Wir sehen uns" is never "we see us" (level B1).
The journey: the safest small-talk opener
At trade fairs and business visits, the journey is the lowest-risk opening topic — unpolitical, relevant to everyone, and naturally narrative. The key questions: "Did you find us easily?", "How did you get here?", "How was your journey?" A minor mishap like Stefan's train delay is gold here: it delivers a mini-story the other person can answer with their own experience ("That sounds familiar …"). Exactly this exchange of anecdotes builds rapport.
"Wir sehen uns" is "see you" — never "we see us"
Stefan briefly falls into the literal-translation trap: "Then we see us — sorry, then see you at four!" The German reflexive pronoun ("uns") has no place in the English goodbye. The base form is simply "See you" plus a time: "See you at four", "See you tomorrow", "See you next week in Berlin". Equally wrong, by the way, is "We hear us" for "Wir hören uns" — correct: "Talk to you soon" or "Speak soon".
Moving the conversation on: so far, anyway, promising
Notice how Mark changes the subject without being rude: "Anyway, how is the fair going for you so far?" — "anyway" closes the old topic, the question opens the new one. Stefan's answer stays positive and concrete ("good conversations", "three appointments"), which Mark affirms with "That sounds promising" before offering the next step: the coffee appointment. Business small talk always has a purpose — ideally it ends with an arrangement.
Keep practising: Learn business English online — with real teachers from Simmonds, since 2004.
Frequently asked questions
What language level is this episode for?
Level B1 (CEFR). The trade fair conversation uses natural, clear everyday English; the vocabulary list explains all eight key phrases bilingually.
How do I make small talk about the journey at a trade fair?
With three questions: "Did you find us easily?", "How did you get here?" and "How was your journey?" Then share a short travel anecdote of your own — and pivot with "Anyway, how is the fair going so far?"
Why is "we see us" wrong?
"Wir sehen uns" is a German reflexive construction. In English you say goodbye with "See you" plus a time: "See you at four", "See you tomorrow". "We hear us" is wrong too — say "Talk to you soon".
Where can I practise trade fair English live?
In the online business English courses from Simmonds Language Services (englisch-lehrer.com/online): live lessons with real teachers on Zoom, for companies and individuals across Germany — starting with a free consultation.
Are the voices real?
Episodes are produced with high-quality AI voices (Hume) and editorially reviewed by our trainer team — the same method as our interactive lessons.
Want to practise these phrases in a real conversation?
The podcast trains your ear — in our online lessons you practise the conversation yourself, with real teachers. For companies across Germany since 2004.