商務禮節美語第82期:準時
Ann:陳豪在美國公司已經工作了一段時間。今天老闆要找他談話。老闆找談話會有什麼事呢? 陳豪心裏有點不安,所以急着去請教美籍華人Mary。
(Office ambience)
陳:(很着急地)Hey, Mary,快,我有事問你。
M:What's the matter?
陳:老闆的祕書通知我老闆過一會要找我談話,可說的話我沒聽懂,說是爲了什麼... 那個詞我不知道...
M:Punctual?
陳:對,有點像,不過那個詞最後的音好像是什麼ty 來了。
M:Punctuality?
陳:Yes, yes. Punctuality. Punctuality是什麼意思呀?喲,不好了,時間到了,我得去了。
(Sound of knocking on the door; opening the door)
Mr. Jones:Mr. Chen, it has been brought to my attention that you are frequently late for meetings. I want you to know that punctuality is important in American business and in our company too.
C:Sorry, Mr. Jones, I am not sure I understand. What exactly do you mean by punc... punctuality?
Mr. Jones:Punctuality simply means being on time. If a meeting is scheduled for one o'clock, everyone is expected to be in the meeting room and ready to start.
C:(自語:噢,開會要準時!) Mr. Jones, now I understand. I'll be on time for meetings from now on.
Ms. Jones:Good.
(Sound of pushing chairs and walking)
M:嗨,陳豪,剛纔我要告訴你 punctuality就是準時,你匆忙走了,大概沒有聽見。哎,老闆找你幹什麼呀?
C:他批評我開會不準時。他不懂,可我又沒法和老闆爭。你知道有的時候我專心工作忘了時間!
M.那不行,上星期開會討論財務,可數據全在你手上。你不到,會沒法開。There's no way to have the meeting without you,所以你浪費了大家的時間。Being late is a sign of disrespect。
C:我不是有意沒禮貌,有的時候是沒法控制的。那天我剛要去開會,電話鈴響了。
M:That's simple. Don't answer it。 打電話的人要是有重要事情他會留言。你開完會可以打回電。
陳:還有一次,開會的時間到了,可是一個客戶來看我。我總不能不見吧?
M:實在沒有辦法的時候,inform others that you are delayed。這樣別人就會覺得你是尊重他們的。
陳:行,知道了。哎,Mary,你再給我總結一下吧,免得我忘了。
M:Punctuality simply means being on time; punctuality is important in American business; Being late is a sign of disrespect。
C:謝謝,Mary! 今天又學會一個詞:punc-punctua-punctuality! punctuality!