商业英语：问私人问题

 　　Feifei: Hello! I’m Feifei and welcome to another episode¹ of 6 Minute English! In today’s programme we’re talking about stress, and here with me in the studio today is the very lovely Neil. How are you today Neil, not too stressed I hope?

　　Neil: You know me Feifei, always cool as a cucumber²!

　　Feifei: Ha! Yes, I do. I’m pleased to hear it and have you brought a stress-related business fact to talk about?

　　Neil: I have. It’s a report from the Chartered³ Institute of Personnel⁴ and Development here in the UK. Apparently⁵ up to 50% of employers⁶ are saying that stress-related absence from work has gone up.

　　Feifei: Really? We’re losing more and more work time due to stress?!

　　Neil: Yes Feifei, so don’t stress me out or I’ll be going home before we get to the end of the programme…

　　Feifei: I’ll do my best to be nice to you Neil.

　　Neil: Good, because sometimes, you know, things get a bit too much for me and -

　　Feifei: So Neil, if it’s not too personal a question, what do you do to reduce your stress levels at work?

　　Neil: Well, I always deal with problems with colleagues face-to-face before things get too serious.

　　Feifei: Problems with colleagues? Neil you are such a lovely person - I can’t imagine you having problems with colleagues…

　　Neil: I know it’s hard to believe, isn’t it? But it’s the best way, person to person, face to face... you just have to choose your words carefully, especially when you’re asking personal or sensitive questions.

　　Feifei: I think we need to ask Business Betty to tell us more.

　　Neil: And here she is!

　　Neil / FF: It’s Business Betty!

　　Neil: It’s good to see you Betty, looking stunning⁷ as always.

　　BB: Thanks. What can I help you with today?

　　Feifei: Can you give us some advice on asking personal questions Betty?

　　BB: I’d be very happy to Feifei. I’m going to start with a cultural tip. Generally speaking, it’s OK to ask personal questions in British culture, when the situation is right and when you choose your words carefully. Now, when asking personal questions, the first thing to do is to give a warning that you’re going to talk about something personal. You could say something like: ‘I wanted to talk to you about a personal matter. Is that OK with you?’

　　Feifei: I wanted to talk to you about a personal matter. Is that OK with you?

　　BB: That’s a very good way to start, Feifei. And to introduce a personal question, you can say: ‘If you don’t mind me asking…’

　　Feifei: If you don’t mind me asking, have you been feeling stressed at all?

　　BB: Well done. Another useful phrase to use either before or after a personal question is ‘If it’s not too personal a question.’

　　Feifei: If it’s not too personal a question, is everything alright at home?

　　BB: Good one! And finally, a really easy one, just say ‘May I ask…’ and then say what you want to know.

　　Feifei: May I ask what the problem was?

　　BB: Good! So to sum up: first give a warning, and then use phrases like ‘If you don’t mind me asking’, ‘If it’s not too personal a question’, and ‘May I ask?’ So Feifei and Neil, how’s that?

　　Feifei: That’s great - thanks Betty!

　　Neil: Thank you Betty!

　　BB: You’re welcome. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way. Bye!

　　Neil / FF: Bye!

　　Neil: She’s a wonderful woman, Business Betty!

　　Feifei: She really is.

　　Neil: I think it’s time for our role-play.

　　Feifei: So do I. I think it’s coming…

　　Neil: Yes, and do you know what that means? It means it’s my turn to be the boss.

　　Feifei: No it’s not, it’s my turn.

　　Neil: It was your turn last time, it’s always your turn to be the boss.

　　Feifei: No, it wasn’t. It’s my turn this time. Let’s start, are you ready?

　　Neil: Bossy⁸! Bossy equals boss!

　　Role-play

　　Feifei: Come in! Ahhh, Neil! Come in and sit down. What can I do for you today?

　　Neil: Well actually, you asked to see me.

　　Feifei: Did I? Oh yes, that’s right, yes I did. OK, Neil I wanted to talk to you about a personal matter. Is that OK with you?

　　Neil: OK…

　　Feifei: Well, I’ve noticed that you’ve been looking a bit worried lately. So if you don’t mind me asking, have you been feeling stressed at all?

　　Neil: No, not really.

　　Feifei: Oh good. Because the thing is, the other day you looked a bit upset. If it’s not too personal a question, is everything alright at home?

　　Neil: At home, well, we did have a problem last week, but it’s OK now.

　　Feifei: Oh good, good. May I ask what the problem was?

　　Neil: Oh my daughter’s goldfish died. She was quite upset, but she’s OK, we are pulling through.

　　Feifei: Good, good, well if it happens again you will let me know, won’t you?

　　Neil: Yes of course. Thank you.

　　Feifei: You’re welcome.

　　Feifei: OK Neil, that was today’s role-play. How did I do?

　　Neil: That was pretty good! You’re not bad actually.

　　Feifei: I told you I would be!

　　Feifei: That’s it for today’s topic. May I ask if you enjoyed the programme?

　　Neil: I enjoyed it very much! It’s been good and not at all stressful.

　　Feifei: So you won’t be taking any time off work because of stress?

　　Neil: No, I don’t think so.

　　Feifei: Good! Join us again for another episode of 6 Minute English.

　　Neil / FF: Bye

1 episode   

n.（作品的一段）情节，插曲，系列事件中之一

参考例句：

• The episode was a huge embarrassment for all concerned.这段小插曲令所有有关人员都感到非常尴尬。
• This episode remains sharply engraved on my mind.这段经历至今仍深深地铭刻在我的心中。

2 cucumber   

n.黄瓜

参考例句：

• This cucumber plant is climbing.这棵黄瓜爬蔓了。
• Let me eat a cucumber.让我吃一根黄瓜.

3 chartered   

a.特许的，持有特许证的

参考例句：

• the Institute of Chartered Accountants （英国皇家）特许会计师协会
• The government chartered the new airline. 政府给这家新航空公司颁发了许可证。

4 personnel   

n.[总称]人员，员工，人事部门

参考例句：

• The personnel are not happy to change these rules.全体工作人员对改变这些规定很不高兴。
• Personnel has lost my tax forms.人事部门把我的税收表格给弄丢了。

5 apparently   

adv.显然地；表面上，似乎

参考例句：

• An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。
• He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。

6 employers   

雇主( employer的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Employers must consider all candidates impartially and without bias. 雇主必须公平而毫无成见地考虑所有求职者。
• The onus is on employers to follow health and safety laws. 雇主有义务遵行健康安全法。

7 stunning   

adj.极好的；使人晕倒的

参考例句：

• His plays are distinguished only by their stunning mediocrity.他的戏剧与众不同之处就是平凡得出奇。
• The finished effect was absolutely stunning.完工后的效果非常美。

8 bossy   

adj.爱发号施令的，作威作福的

参考例句：

• She turned me off with her bossy manner.她态度专橫很讨我嫌。
• She moved out because her mother-in-law is too bossy.她的婆婆爱指使人,所以她搬出去住了。