礼节美语 Business Etiquette 155 Intuition (1)

　　销售部的Steve, Faith和Katie开会讨论项目进展。Steve说，
Steve: Ok, so are we all agreed that we'll move forward on this project?
Faith: You know, I'm not so sure. I have a funny feeling about this.
Katie: You smell a rat?
F: Kind of. All I can say is that something is definitely¹ not right. I just "feel" it.
Steve征求大家意见，决定项目可否进入下一阶段。可Faith说，她总觉得哪不对劲。I have a funny feeling about this. Funny在这里不是好笑，而是奇怪的意思。Katie问，you smell a rat? Smell a rat，也是觉得可疑、不对劲的意思。Faith承认，她也说不清楚，I just "feel" it. 就是一种感觉。
S: But Faith, do you really think we should base a decision on a feeling?
F: Well, feelings can be a warning. I believe very strongly in the power of intuition².
K: Do you mean that emotions are important, even in the business world?
F: Yes, I do. You know how people say, "I have a gut³ feeling?" What they really mean is that their intuition is giving them a signal.
Faith说自己特别相信直觉。I believe in the power of intuition. intuition is spelled i-n-t-u-i-t-i-o-n, intuition，直觉。很多人都说，"I have a gut feeling," gut, g-u-t, gut. gut feeling，也是直觉的意思。
S: But we should make choices based on data and information...not emotions!
K: I think perhaps both information and intuition are necessary.
F: I agree. Data is for the brain but intuition is for the heart.
S: But every decision we make in life is based on the available facts, no?
F: Not really. When we go on a date with someone, we usually make a decision about whether or not we like someone almost instantly⁴?
Steve好象很理性，认为一切决定都应该以事实为依据。Faith却认为，不能一概而论，比如说，When we go on a date with someone, 跟别人约会，俩人是否会继续交往下去往往都是一上来就决定了。
K: That's true. I usually only have to meet a man for less than a minute before I know whether or not I want to date him.
S: And that's intuition?
F: Yes, and we use it every day. Intuition is very important in business. Remember your first job interview here?
S: (Chuckle) Yep. I was so nervous! I was sweating and stammering⁵.
F: But my intuition told me you would make a good employee...and I was right!
Faith说，我们其实每天都会用到直觉。Steve第一次面试，紧张得浑身冒汗，说话也结结巴巴的，可Faith却说，直觉告诉她， My intuition told me...Steve一定会是好员工，结果一点没错。

1 definitely   

adv.一定地，肯定地；明确地，确切地

参考例句：

• The team will definitely lose if he doesn't play.如果他不参加比赛，这个队肯定会输。
• I shall definitely be home before six o'clock.6点以前，我一定回家。

2 intuition   

n.直觉，直观，凭直觉而知的事物

参考例句：

• I had an intuition that I would find you.我有一种直觉，我能找到你们。
• He knew this thing by intuition.他凭直觉了解这件事。

3 gut   

n.[pl.]胆量；内脏；adj.本能的；vt.取出内脏

参考例句：

• It is not always necessary to gut the fish prior to freezing.冷冻鱼之前并不总是需要先把内脏掏空。
• My immediate gut feeling was to refuse.我本能的直接反应是拒绝。

4 instantly   

adv.立即，立刻

参考例句：

• She was used to having her orders instantly obeyed.她习惯了让人即刻服从她的命令。
• Though he slept soundly,he awoke instantly.他虽然睡得很香，但是马上就醒了。

5 stammering   

v.结巴地说出( stammer的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• He betrayed nervousness by stammering. 他说话结结巴巴说明他胆子小。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• \"Why,\" he said, actually stammering, \"how do you do?\" “哎呀，\"他说，真的有些结结巴巴，\"你好啊？” 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹