单选题
Most people feel the need to make sure everyone in a group is comfortable before they start a business meeting. This pre-discussed conversation—small talk—can cover a wide range of topics, some of 24 may not be related to agenda for the meeting. In most countries, building personal connections is a 25 first step in making sure that business goes smoothly. People often use this phase of interaction to observe and assess the character of their colleagues. In the Middle East, business men like to get to know new 26 before starting a meeting. They often judge people's response to certain topics by 27 their eyes, so they need to be able to sit or stand very close to the person. Small talk tends to continue until the people involved are comfortable enough to move close to one another. In Latin American and Asian countries, people also want to 28 if an acquaintance can be trusted. For them, business is conducted with an individual, not a company, so it's important to have an honest 29 before any business is discussed. In the United States, 30 , most business people prefer an extremely limited small talk period. When they arrive for a meeting, they expect to begin the business discussion 31 away, perhaps after just a few minutes of greetings and 32 . Most Americans feel that time is as valuable as money, so talking extensively about the weather, hobbies, or the plane trip is 33 as a waste of time. They are likely to become impatient if the subject turns away from the business of the day. A. however B. which C. qualify D. acquaintances E. provoke F. observing G. hint H. relationship I. determine J. immense K. introductions L. crucial M. loan N. seen O. right