礼节美语 Business Etiquette 072

陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他在餐厅里找到美国同Amy 。
(Office ambience)

A：Hello Chen Hao. How are you?

C：还行。不过，我有点事想征求一下你的意见。

A：What is it?

C：你认识我们办公室的Sue¹吗？

A：I've worked on a couple of projects with her. Why?

C：我告诉你，你可得保密，Sue正在找工作。

A：Why is that a problem?

C：她让我做她的推荐人。

A：That bothers you?

C：Sue工作不是很靠谱，推荐她，那不等于说瞎话嘛！

A：What did you say when she came to you?

C：我没直接回答她。我说那份新工作听上去是个不错的机会，然后就假称要开会，逃掉了。

A：I have a couple of suggestions for you.

C：太好了，你快告诉我。我今天一天都躲躲藏藏的，生怕遇到Sue。

A：Let's sit down over there.

******

两人坐下，边吃边聊。

C：Amy，你快说说，我该怎么办。

A：Sue must have some positive traits² or she wouldn't be working here.

C：优点肯定是有，不过我得仔细想想。

A：I suggest that you make a list of her strengths.

C：可她的缺点要比优点多得多。

A：Try not to focus on her shortcomings, but list them out, too. You can call them areas where she needs to grow.

C：需要改进的地方？那人家给我打电话，了解Sue的情况，我该怎么说呢？

A：You begin by saying that she is a good team player, but could benefit from the opportunity to work independently and grow professionally. That makes you honest.

C：有道理，我就说她很容易相处，但是如果有一个独立工作，需要精湛技能的机会，将对她有帮助。可是Amy,我怎么才能不去提她的缺点呢？

A：Let the interviewer know that you have worked with Sue on a limited basis so you can only speak about your experience on the team.

C：就说，跟Sue共事机会不多，有些情况没有发言权。Amy, 我有个更简单的办法，要不我这段时间干脆不接电话了，留言也不回。

A：That's cowardly. Besides it will reflect poorly on you.

C：要这么说，不回电子邮件也行不通了。

A：You have another choice. You can tell Sue that you aren't comfortable in giving references⁴ to her because you are afraid of saying the wrong thing.

C：这样好。我就说自己英语不好，搞不好词不达意，再说错了话。

A：It is difficult when a colleague who is not a good worker asks you for a reference³.

C：你能在重复一遍，我都有哪些选择吗？

A：If you agree to be a reference, rehearse what you plan to say. Don't allow yourself to be drawn⁵ into areas where you are not comfortable.

 

1 sue   

vt.控告，起诉；vi.请求，追求，起诉

参考例句：

• If you don't pay me the money,I'll sue you.如果你不付给我钱，我就告你。
• The war criminals sue for peace.战犯求和。

2 traits   

n.人的个性，显著的特点，特征( trait的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• We do not know which behavioural traits are inherited and which acquired. 我们不知道哪些行为特征是遗传的，哪些是后天养成的。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• His generosity is one of his good traits. 慷慨大方是他的好品质之一。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 reference   

n.提到，说到，暗示，查看，查阅

参考例句：

• We spent days going through all related reference material.我们花了好多天功夫查阅所有有关的参考资料。
• I like to have my reference books within my reach.我喜欢把参考书放到伸手可取的地方。

4 references   

n.参考( reference的名词复数 )；证明书；（为方便查询所用的）标记；（帮助或意见的）征求

参考例句：

• Applications with a full curriculum vitae and two references should reach the Principal by June 12th. 申请书连同完整个人简历和两份推荐信必须在6月12日以前送达校长处。
• The book is full of references to growing up in India. 这本书谈到许多在印度怎样长大成人的事。

5 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。