英语博客：ESL Podcast 740 – Corporate Gift-Giving

Michelle: Why did I get stuck with buying corporate¹ gifts for our clients this year? Just because I’m a woman doesn’t mean I’m good at buying gifts.

Rafiq: It’s not because you’re a woman. It’s because you’re the most junior employee of the company. I had the job three years ago when I started working here.

Michelle: Oh, so you know the drill. I was thinking of sending food baskets to McQ Corp.

Rafiq: I wouldn’t advise doing that. We’re bidding on a new contract with their company and the gift could be misconstrued as a bribe². You’ll want to avoid any appearance of impropriety.

Michelle: Then I shouldn’t send anything at all?

Rafiq: You could send a charitable donation in the company’s name. This way, we show our appreciation³ for their business, and they get recognition for the contribution to a worthy⁴ cause, without seeming like we’re trying to influence their decision.

Michelle: That seems like a good way to go. What about the other companies we’re doing business with?

Rafiq: A food basket would be fine for those companies. Just make sure there’s nothing perishable⁵ in them and send a hand-written note. That adds a nice touch.

Michelle: I was also thinking of sending our smaller clients calendars and t-shirts with our company logo. What do you think?

Rafiq: I think they’d like gift certificates to stores or restaurants better.

Michelle: What about a bottle of wine? Wouldn’t that be a good gift?

Rafiq: You never know how a client feels about alcohol, so stick to something safer, like the food baskets or gift certificates.

Michelle: You have all the answers. You’re an expert at corporate gift-giving!

Rafiq: Shh, don’t say that too loudly. If the powers that be hear about it, I might get stuck with the job – permanently⁶!

Michelle: Your secret is safe with me.


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

1 corporate   

adj.共同的，全体的；公司的，企业的

参考例句：

• This is our corporate responsibility.这是我们共同的责任。
• His corporate's life will be as short as a rabbit's tail.他的公司的寿命是兔子尾巴长不了。

2 bribe   

n.贿赂；v.向…行贿，买通

参考例句：

• He tried to bribe the policeman not to arrest him.他企图贿赂警察不逮捕他。
• He resolutely refused their bribe.他坚决不接受他们的贿赂。

3 appreciation   

n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨

参考例句：

• I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to you all.我想对你们所有人表达我的感激和谢意。
• I'll be sending them a donation in appreciation of their help.我将送给他们一笔捐款以感谢他们的帮助。

4 worthy   

adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的

参考例句：

• I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我认为他不值得信赖。
• There occurred nothing that was worthy to be mentioned.没有值得一提的事发生。

5 perishable   

adj.（尤指食物）易腐的，易坏的

参考例句：

• Many fresh foods are highly perishable.许多新鲜食物都极易腐败。
• Fruits are perishable in transit.水果在运送时容易腐烂。

6 permanently   

adv.永恒地，永久地，固定不变地

参考例句：

• The accident left him permanently scarred.那次事故给他留下了永久的伤疤。
• The ship is now permanently moored on the Thames in London.该船现在永久地停泊在伦敦泰晤士河边。