When you need this

On a work trip you meet people you've only seen on a screen, and people you've never heard of: the client's boss, the person next to you at a conference, the driver who picks you up. The meetings matter, but so does the talk around them, in the elevator, over coffee, walking to lunch. That's where people decide whether they like working with you.

The first line is usually about the meeting itself or the trip. "It's great to finally meet you in person" works for anyone you've worked with remotely. Your hosts will ask about your flight and your hotel; they're being kind, so give a short, warm answer and ask something back. Save the complaints about the airline for your own team.

Phrases

for someone you've only met online

thanks your hosts for inviting you

the first question hosts ask

a short, polite answer about the trip

a friendly question for a visitor

shows you know their work or city

asks why someone is at an event

asks about someone's role politely

meet someone you knew only by name

a warm way to end a new contact

offers to introduce someone useful

asks a local for advice

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

Practice · 3 min

Say the line that fits. Situation on the left, one natural line on the right.

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Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.