Business Etiquette 礼节美语 第037讲

陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他接到公司晚宴派对的邀请，但是不想去。

(Office ambience)

CH：Hi Amy, 我刚刚收到邀请，老板请我们去吃饭。

A：I received one, too.

C：你去吗？

A：Of course. Aren't you?

C：我不太想去。

A：Why not? It's going to be a nice party at an upscale restaurant.

C：我不想跟同事出去玩儿；他们跟我关系虽说都不错，但大家毕竟不是朋友。

A：I'm afraid that doesn't matter. Part of the reason for inviting¹ everyone is to build rapport² among all of us who work together.

C：Rapport是什么意思啊。

A：Rapport means building relationships between people, establishing trust and mutual³ understanding.

C：跟同事搞好关系也不一定非得出去玩儿啊。

A：Attendance at the office party is a part of your job. To go or not to go is not a choice. The boss expects you to be there.

C：这么说是不能不去了。我要是有其它事呢？

A：It better be something important for you to forego the office party and risk offending the boss.

C：我可不想得罪老板，让我再想想吧。

******

到了第二天....

A：Well, CH, did you decide to go to the party?

C：去，不过我要带个朋友。

A：I hate to tell you this, but that would not be acceptable.

C：星期六晚上出去应酬，带个朋友还不行吗？

A：Unless your invitation says "and guest, " it would be poor etiquette⁴ to take someone with you.

C：那好，我打个照面，待一会儿就走。

A：That's not going to work either. This is a seated dinner party so you have stay the entire time.

C：晚餐完了我总可以走了吧？

A：You must stay until our host, the boss, stands to indicate that dinner is over. Then good manners dictate⁵ you don't leave before your thank him for the evening and tell him good-bye.

C：Amy, 我真没想到，公司派对还会这么郑重其事。还有什么要注意的吗？

A：Just a word of caution. If you drink alcoholic⁶ beverages⁷, do it in moderation. Some people forget that rule and overdo⁸ it. Not only is it embarrassing, you could jeopardize⁹ your job.

C：这我知道，一定注意不会多喝。你能不能再总结一下，看看都有哪些注意事项。

A：Attendance is required. Read your invitation carefully so you know what the occasion is and if guests are included.

C：我知道，还有就是晚宴结束前不能告退。

A：That's right. Don't forget to say your good-byes. And go easy on the alcohol.

C：谢谢你，Amy，我一定照办。
 

1 inviting   

adj.诱人的，引人注目的

参考例句：

• An inviting smell of coffee wafted into the room.一股诱人的咖啡香味飘进了房间。
• The kitchen smelled warm and inviting and blessedly familiar.这间厨房的味道温暖诱人，使人感到亲切温馨。

2 rapport   

n.和睦，意见一致

参考例句：

• She has an excellent rapport with her staff.她跟她职员的关系非常融洽。
• We developed a high degree of trust and a considerable personal rapport.我们发展了高度的互相信任和不错的私人融洽关系。

3 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。

4 etiquette   

n.礼仪，礼节；规矩

参考例句：

• The rules of etiquette are not so strict nowadays.如今的礼仪规则已不那么严格了。
• According to etiquette,you should stand up to meet a guest.按照礼节你应该站起来接待客人。

5 dictate   

v.口授；(使)听写；指令，指示，命令

参考例句：

• It took him a long time to dictate this letter.口述这封信花了他很长时间。
• What right have you to dictate to others?你有什么资格向别人发号施令？

6 alcoholic   

adj.（含）酒精的，由酒精引起的；n.酗酒者

参考例句：

• The alcoholic strength of brandy far exceeds that of wine.白兰地的酒精浓度远远超过葡萄酒。
• Alcoholic drinks act as a poison to a child.酒精饮料对小孩犹如毒药。

7 beverages   

n.饮料( beverage的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• laws governing the sale of alcoholic beverages 控制酒类销售的法规
• regulations governing the sale of alcoholic beverages 含酒精饮料的销售管理条例

8 overdo   

vt.把...做得过头，演得过火

参考例句：

• Do not overdo your privilege of reproving me.不要过分使用责备我的特权。
• The taxi drivers' association is urging its members,who can work as many hours as they want,not to overdo it.出租车司机协会劝告那些工作时长不受限制的会员不要疲劳驾驶。

9 jeopardize   

vt.危及，损害

参考例句：

• Overworking can jeopardize your health.工作过量可能会危及你的健康。
• If you are rude to the boss it may jeopardize your chances of success.如果你对上司无礼，那就可能断送你成功的机会。