This is the Business English Podcast episode 329.
I can't wait to meet you in person.
Welcome to the Business English Podcast from All Ears English.
Get the English skills you need to achieve your dreams in global business.
For a presentation, a meeting or your office party, this is real business English with your favorite American hosts, Lindsay and Michelle, coming to you from New York City and Colorado, USA.
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Hey Lindsay. Lindsay, how many times have we met in person?
That's a good question, Michelle.
I'm trying to think.
I think so. So we met at least twice if not more, two or three times.
I think it's three times.
Three times. Okay. Because we did two live events.
Two live events and then we did a photo shoot.
And first started working together.
Oh my gosh, we're so glamorous.
Almost 10 years ago.
Yeah. Really close to 10 years.
Yes. So crazy. Three times in 10 years.
Incredible. Oh my gosh.
Yeah. But we meet every week online.
I know. I know. So it doesn't really feel like that, but it is always funny.
I remember the last time I saw you in person, it feels different when somebody is 3D.
3D. I know. It always feels different.
I was just reading about this in the New York Times.
There was an article talking about this wave of a trend where people are meeting their co -workers for the first time.
And they're always a different height than they imagined.
That's so funny. I think they're tall.
They're actually short.
I think they're short.
They're tall. It's just really funny how that works out.
It's just never what you envision.
You have this image in your head of what someone's going to look like.
And then because how tall are you again?
I'm about five, four and a half.
So pretty average average to short.
Yeah. Yeah. No. Yeah.
And I'm a little bit shorter than that.
I'm like five. I'm almost five three.
So yeah. Yeah. It does always feel a little bit funny to be in the same room as someone you're used to seeing just the upper half of their body.
It's almost like, oh, the other half.
I never thought about it before.
It's so funny. I'm sure a lot of our listeners know now because this is how we work, right?
A lot of us work online and many people were hired during the pandemic.
And so they literally have never seen their co -workers in person.
So we do have a question about this topic.
Yeah, today. Yes, exactly.
So this question comes to us from YouTube.
Guys, you can ask your questions over on the YouTube comments as well.
So we check there. Definitely send in your questions.
So this question was from Madrigal on 7 X C.
Yes, I'm going to go out and read Madrigal's question.
So here it is. The other party says, they're quoting a moment, a context, right?
And the other party said, I hope to see you in personal next year.
How do you start communicating with the other party and carry out the next communications?
So they want to know what would come next.
Right. And they said, I hope this comment finds you all well.
Well, right. Yes. Well, thank you so much for that question.
So we're going to really talk more about this expression in person.
And we're going to.
So this episode is going to be more about how to use that and other similar expressions.
And another day we can talk about, you know, what do you say after?
But we can touch on that a little bit today.
But this is a good question.
And I wanted to take this for business because I find this to be a common expression used there.
So but the expression is it's not in personal.
It's actually just in person.
Yes, we need to make sure.
And there's like we said, there's a trend now.
And so there's a new need for saying things like distinguishing the difference between we've met virtually we've met in person.
There's a lot of things we could say here.
So we're going to get to the bottom of this.
Yeah, right. So what I mean, what does in person mean?
Well, it means not virtually, right?
Right. In the same physical space and not through virtual reality where you could say you're in the same physical space in some weird way.
No, physically, you could reach out and touch the person.
Right, that's right.
That's in person. OK, yes.
Right, right, right.
Or you might even hear in person work.
Right. Or I'll be there in person.
Right. So again, we talk a lot about this dealing with the pandemic and how that really changed everything.
So I mean, but somebody may say something to you like what the listener wrote.
Oh, I hope to see you in person next year.
So I mean, this basically means they likely see you mostly online or talk to you more on the phone.
So saying I hope to see you in person next year could be for a coworker across the country, co -workers who are mostly remote, things like that.
Yeah, yeah. But yeah, we've we've already we've already talked about how many times we've met in person.
Lindsay, have you ever met Aubrey in person?
Nope, Aubrey and I have not met in person yet, which is so funny.
I know. It's strange.
And with Jessica a number of times because we did the live event in Japan a few times, right.
Boston Immersion Adventures.
But yeah, Aubrey and I have not met yet.
It's just so crazy.
It's so crazy. Yes.
And I've only met you, but not the not Jessica or Aubrey.
But one day I hope we will be together in person.
I hope so. I hope so.
Yeah, for sure. So let's touch on a little bit of what this listener asked about the response.
So if somebody says to you, I hope to see you in person next year, what could you say?
Yeah, say something like, yes, me, too.
Right. So you echo their interest in meeting in person.
Yes. You know, when someone says this to you, what you're actually saying is I want to know you better, you know, beyond the virtual world.
Right. Yes, exactly.
Or you could say maybe you've already met them in person, but it's been a while.
You could say, yes, it's been too long.
Mm hmm. Yes. Or I know when was the last time I saw you?
So then you can kind of reminisce.
Oh, was it 2019, 2020?
And you go back in time and you think.
And this is also useful, by the way, not just for your coworkers, but for any any people that you do business with in your industry.
So, for example, in the podcasting industry, we work with a team of consultants.
We just know people and we meet with them a lot on Zoom.
But sometimes I will see them at conferences or we'll have meetings at conferences or have drinks or something.
And that's another moment to say this.
I'm looking forward to seeing you in person next week at the conference.
Like, you know, this is not just for your team, it's for your business contacts within your industry.
Right. Or you could even I mean, if you let's say you bump into them at a conference, you could say, oh, it's so nice to see you in person.
Yeah. And that's another one where you're like, wow, you're taller than I thought.
Yes. Yes, exactly. That's really strange.
Yeah. All right. We're going to take a quick break and then we'll be right back.
OK. All right, Michelle.
So there are other things, other ways.
So our listener brought up this in -person phrase.
But there are other things we could say to mix it up, not always say the same thing.
What are they, Michelle?
Yes, exactly. So you could say face to face.
So that means the same thing.
So you could say, let's try to actually meet face to face next week.
Mm hmm. Really good.
Or in the flesh. Now, this is interesting using the word flesh and work, but we do.
It is a phrase, right?
Yeah. I think at the conference next year, we'll actually meet in the flesh.
It's a little a little exaggerated that you know, that phrase, right?
You're being a little silly.
Yes. Flesh is what the flesh is.
You're a skin, your body.
I mean, it's it's a little gross if you think about it.
Yeah, but it's not a taboo to say that it is.
No, no, no, not at all.
Not at all. Or you could just say in the same room.
So you could say it will be good to work in the same room and not always online.
Yes. 100 percent. It would be nice if we had that option.
You know, we all live in such different parts of the country.
But if we had the option once a week to meet at a coffee shop, I would love that.
That would be incredible.
And I know I would like that, too.
I think we would have a lot of fun.
Would we get any work done?
I don't know. But that's a good that's a good question.
I mean, yeah, exactly.
That's a good that's a good point, though, because how do you think working together in person changes things?
And are there positives?
But maybe there are some some drawbacks.
Yeah, I mean, it's hard.
The nature of our work is that we're very flexible and we like to be able to get our work done when we can.
And life fits in with that.
So I don't know. I think I think hybrid is great.
You know, you have a blend of both.
Again, once a month you meet.
And then most of the time you're online just because it's more efficient.
Right. Right. Right.
Exactly. Right. So maybe like you said, maybe you know that when you were act, maybe you have a particular coworker and you know that when you guys sit next to each other, it takes you twice as long to do your work.
Um, you know, you have to evaluate things like that when deciding on when to go into the office or not.
And if you have that choice.
Yeah, I think in person, I think a lot of offices that now offer a hybrid model have been thinking about this.
They're hiring consultants to help them figure this out.
When does it make sense to use the resources of the office space to have people come in?
And I think what they're learning is that it's more about spending the time that they come in team building or helping them career build doing something that you really can't do.
Or it's better when you're together and the work happens at home.
Right. So finding the right activities for that in person time is the key.
That's that's very interesting.
I'm sure there will be like a lot of studies coming out in the future about that.
Oh, lots. There already are.
There's one, try to remember the name of the podcast, and I can't think of it right now, but there's a podcast that's co -hosted by a professor from Harvard Business School and their partner, who's a consultant business consultant.
And that's what they talk about consulting with companies on how to do that, how to set that up correctly.
Yeah, I see. Interesting.
All right. Yeah. Michelle, though, we do have other interesting news.
We have something new coming out at All Airs English.
What is it? Well, we have a new course coming out.
This is going to be huge for you guys.
This is leveling up once again.
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Yeah. We know that a lot of you joined our brand new B2 course this year.
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You are working through it.
We offer lifetime access on our courses.
So this will be the time in a few weeks.
Actually, next week when we go live to get into this brand new C1 course, we're going to focus on making your English more sophisticated, more nuanced and more colorful.
I love that idea. I love that.
Yes. And we're going to have some live classes.
Right, Lindsay? Yeah.
Now, when you join in All Airs English course, you have lots of life speaking opportunities, like fluency parties, open conversation club, Q &A.
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So, guys, go get on the interest list.
Go to all airs English dot com slash C one and you'll be notified as soon as the new course goes live.
Oh, OK, we're very excited for that.
All right. So, Lindsay, should we do a role play?
I am ready, Michelle.
So here you and I are co -workers and we're about to meet next week for the very first time.
Oh, my gosh. We're on the phone.
We're anticipating this meeting.
Yeah. All right. OK, here we go.
I can't believe we will finally meet in person next week.
Yes, me too. It will be great to finally meet you face to face.
Definitely. We can actually have our meeting in the same room and get lunch together.
Yes, in the flesh. Can't wait.
All right, good. So it's important to resonate, you know, back that same level of enthusiasm when someone says this to you, right?
Yeah. Because you're already deepening the relationship by signaling that you want to meet them in person.
Right. Yes. So that's huge.
Right. Exactly. All right.
So let's see. First, I said I can't believe we will finally meet in person next week.
Exactly. We now we know it's not personal right in personal.
We want to correct that mistake today and stop saying that and say meet in person.
And then I said, yes, me too.
With a lot of enthusiasm and intonation in my voice there, it will be great to finally meet you face to face.
OK. And then I said we can actually have our meeting in the same room.
Yeah. And it's funny that you use the word actually there.
That could be another episode, Michelle.
Yeah. You know, what are you what are you doing by adding actually there?
I'm saying that we don't I'm highlighting that we don't normally do this.
Yeah. And that is a really, really interesting way, again, of making your speech more colorful, more interesting.
We can actually meet face to face.
You're building a bigger contrast between the fact that we never need in person to the fact that now we're going to.
Right. Right. Exactly.
If we didn't have actually saying we can have our meeting in the same room.
That's fine. There's nothing wrong with it.
But it's it's missing that feeling.
It's missing that back story.
Yep. That is building real nuance to what you're saying, guys.
And that's what we go into in the C1 course.
So good stuff. And then so definitely have our meeting in the same room.
And then you said, Michelle.
Yes. In the flesh. And you're just further emphasize you're bringing this, you know, this piece of our conversation one step further.
And you're by saying something additional, you're just saying, yes, it's what you're emphasizing.
It's going to be great.
Right. Definitely. Oh, my gosh.
Well, this was fun, guys.
We have another episode for you.
This is really good because this deals with scheduling meetings, especially when you are not in person and you have to think about time zone.
So listen on over to episode three, 14 was what time is it there?
How to be respectful when you schedule meetings.
Yes. I love it. Go and check out that episode.
And don't forget to hit follow right here on Business English.
Michelle, any key takeaway today for our listeners when it comes to acknowledging the desire to meet in person.
Yeah. Well, this is a huge moment where you can get closer to your coworkers where you can show that you're interested in them and you like them.
And you're right. You want to actually be in the same room as them.
So to me, this is just a great way to build that bond, even if you don't normally see that person in person.
Yeah, it matters that you do say this at some point when you're going to meet or indicate that you want to.
And it also matters how you respond when someone says it to you.
OK. Right. So now we have the tools, guys.
So go out there and do it.
All right. Excellent.
All right. All right.
Well, that was a great question.
And thanks for chatting with me today, Lindsay.
And I hope to meet you in person.
In the flesh, Michelle.
In the flesh. All right.
All right. I'll see you guys.
Bye. Bye. Thank you for listening to Business English, a podcast just for you, the high achieving global professional.
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