商务英语：社交功能

 　　Feifei: Welcome to another episode¹ of 6 Minute English with me, Feifei.

　　Neil: And me, Neil.

　　Feifei: And what are we talking about today Neil?

　　Neil: Well, today’s programme is all about business socialising. And, as we all know, socialising is a very important aspect of working life. Although it doesn’t always go the way we want it to, does it Feifei?

　　Feifei: If you’re referring to the office New Year party, we said we wouldn’t mention that again…

　　Neil: OK, I definitely³ won’t mention the word photocopier… Anyway, Feifei, I’ve been out and about talking to people about embarrassing⁴ things that happened to them while they were socialising at work. Have a listen to this!

　　Man: I was on a business trip abroad and people had quite difficult foreign names. I kept getting the names wrong with the people - so I’d be calling a man by a woman’s name and a woman by a man’s name. It was very embarrassing, but they were very nice about it.

　　Woman: I always enjoying going to business socialising occasions⁵, such as cocktail⁶ parties or conferences. But one of the most embarrassing things is you see somebody you find them familiar, you know you’ve met them before but you can’t remember their names, especially sometimes you get mixed up with where they work and job title, so that’s one thing I find embarrassing.

　　Feifei: Oh dear. That sounds so embarrassing, poor lady! I’m sure something like that has never happened to you Neil?

　　Neil: No Feifei, as you well know I never mix business with pleasure any more. Here’s Business Betty to help us find out what that poor lady should have done!

　　BB: Hello you two! I trust you never find yourself in that situation but if you do, here’s what to do. If you’ve forgotten someone’s name or job title or where you have met them before, don’t panic! The best thing to do is: find out, apologise and move on. I’ll say that again: find out, apologise and move on. A good way to find out someone’s name is to say "I think we’ve met before, haven’t we?"

　　Neil: I think we’ve met before, haven’t we?

　　BB: Or "You must be Feifei".

　　Neil: Oh hello, you must be Feifei.

　　BB: Or, "I can’t quite remember your name."

　　Neil: I can’t quite remember your name.

　　BB: Step two is the apology. Neil, can you apologise please:

　　Neil: Feifei, of course, how silly of me to forget.

　　BB: Or say this:

　　Neil: Oh yes, of course, I’m so sorry!

　　BB: And once you’ve found out and apologised, move on! We all make mistakes and the best thing to do is get on with business. A really easy way to move things on is to say "How are things with you?"

　　Neil: How are things with you?

　　BB: And even easier is, "How are you?"

　　Neil: How are you?

　　BB: And then you can get on with things. Remember, we all make mistakes, and knowing how to get out of tricky⁷ situations is what makes the difference. Just try to keep the conversation flowing.

　　Neil: We will Business Betty. You’re the best!

　　Feifei: So there you go! Find out.

　　Neil: Apologise.

　　Feifei: And move on! She really does know what she’s talking about that Betty…

　　Neil: You’ll never go wrong with Business Betty!

　　Feifei: Neil…?

　　Neil: Do you feel a role-play coming on?

　　Feifei: Yes! It’s role-play time!

　　Neil: Surely it’s my turn to be the boss?

　　Feifei: There’s no boss today, I’m afraid. For today’s role-play, let’s say we’re at a business event, and you see me, and you remember you’ve met me before, and you really want to talk to me, but you can’t remember my name. OK?

　　Neil: I want to talk to you, but I can’t remember your name. Hmmm, could be tricky.

　　Feifei: You’ll be fine. Are you ready?

　　Neil: I’m ready!

　　Role-play

　　Neil: Hi there.

　　Feifei: Oh hello.

　　Neil: I think we’ve met before haven’t we?

　　Feifei: Errr, have we? Oh yes, we met a couple of months ago, didn’t we? You knocked the cup of coffee over? It’s Neil… how are you Neil?

　　Neil: I’m good, very good. Please forgive me. I can’t quite remember your name.

　　Feifei: It’s Feifei.

　　Neil: Of course, Feifei, how silly of me to forget. How are things with you?

　　Feifei: How was that for you?

　　Neil: Not too bad actually, I felt embarrassed though because I didn’t know your name but I was pleased because I dealt with it quickly and moved the conversation on.

　　Feifei: That’s the way to do it! Do you want to try another one?

　　Neil: Yes go on, I’m feeling quite confident now!

　　Feifei: OK, this time, we’re at a business event. You think you know who I am and you want to come to say hello, OK?

　　Neil: I think I know who you are and I want to talk to you. Got it!

　　Feifei: Ready?

　　Neil: Bring it on!

　　Role-play

　　Neil: Oh hello, you must be Feifei.

　　Feifei Yeah, hi there. Nice to meet you. You are...?

　　Neil: I’m Neil.

　　Feifei: I don’t think we’ve met before, have we?

　　Neil: Actually, I think we might have. You work in the media, right?

　　Feifei: I do, yes.

　　Neil: Yes I thought so: we were at the same dinner last month.

　　Feifei: Oh yes, of course. I’m so sorry! How are you?

　　Feifei: Well done Neil. Another tricky situation, another success!

　　Neil: Find out, apologise and move on. Except this time I found out and you apologised!

　　Feifei: Ha, yes, it works⁸ both ways.

　　Neil: It’s a miracle⁹!

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

　　Neil: Err² Feifei?

　　Feifei: Yes?

　　Neil: What’s your name again?

　　Feifei: Goodbye Neil, goodbye everyone.

　　Neil: Goodbye.

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 err   

vi.犯错误，出差错

参考例句：

• He did not err by a hair's breadth in his calculation.他的计算结果一丝不差。
• The arrows err not from their aim.箭无虚发。

3 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。

4 embarrassing   

adj.使人尴尬的，令人为难的v.（使）窘迫，（使）局促不安( embarrass的现在分词)

参考例句：

• His jokes didn't even raise a smile, which was embarrassing. 听了他讲的笑话，都没人笑一下，真是太尴尬了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• I was in the embarrassing position of having completely forgotten her name. 当时我完全忘记了她的名字，很是尴尬。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 occasions   

n.机会( occasion的名词复数 )；时刻；原因；需要

参考例句：

• The prosecution stated that intercourse had occurred on several occasions. 控诉方称发生过数次性交。
• He has been late on numerous occasions. 他已经迟到过无数次了。

6 cocktail   

n.鸡尾酒；餐前开胃小吃；混合物

参考例句：

• We invited some foreign friends for a cocktail party.我们邀请了一些外国朋友参加鸡尾酒会。
• At a cocktail party in Hollywood,I was introduced to Charlie Chaplin.在好莱坞的一次鸡尾酒会上，人家把我介绍给查理·卓别林。

7 tricky   

adj.狡猾的，奸诈的；(工作等)棘手的，微妙的

参考例句：

• I'm in a rather tricky position.Can you help me out?我的处境很棘手，你能帮我吗？
• He avoided this tricky question and talked in generalities.他回避了这个非常微妙的问题，只做了个笼统的表述。

8 works   

n.作品，著作；工厂，活动部件，机件

参考例句：

• We expect writers to produce more and better works.我们期望作家们写出更多更好的作品。
• The novel is regarded as one of the classic works.这篇小说被公认为是最优秀的作品之一。

9 miracle   

n.奇迹，令人惊奇的人或事

参考例句：

• The doctors said that his recovery was a miracle. 医生们说他的复原是件奇事。
• It is simply a miracle that rice should grow in such a place.稻子竟能在这样的地方生长，这实在是个奇迹。