商務禮節美語第217期:Social Networking 社交關係 (上)
Brad: Hey Jimmy, a couple of us are going out to Sam's Bar after work. Care to join us?
Jimmy: Oh, ks for the invitation, but I'm pretty tired. I think I'll take a rain check.
Pam: But you took a rain check last time!
J: Yeah, I know. I'm just not so fond of bars.
Brad說他們幾個人下班準備一起去酒吧，問Jimmy要不要一起來，'Care to join us?' Jimmy推辭說很累，還說I'll take a rain check. 意思是這次算了，改天吧。比如說，朋友約你去逛街，可你已經說好跟男朋友吃飯，就可以說I'll take a rain check. 下次吧！
P: Well, how about joining the company picnic next Saturday? We're playing beach volleyball and you could join our team! Come on! It'll be fun!
J: 're so kind, but...I'm really not sure if I'll be able to make it.
B: Hey! I've got the perfect idea! We're making plans for a dinner appointment with all the department heads this should definitely come!
Pam不肯放棄，問Jimmy要不要參加下星期六的公司野餐，company picnic, 還可以加入他們的沙灘排球隊。 Jimmy再次推辭，說自己可能去不了。I'm really not sure if I'll be able to make it. 這裏說的to make it就是參加、出席的意思。比如說，朋友請你參加生日派對，可你那天已經有了安排，你就可以說I'll try to make it. 我一定爭取來。
J: , I really appreciate what your trying to do, and I don't mean to be a wallflower. I'm just a bit shy. Plus, I really don't like loud bars or clubs.
B: Let me tell you a secret. I hate bars and clubs too! But, I know that going out and being seen is a big part of networking.
J: You mean like on a computer?
P: No, Brad means social networking.
B: Basically, it means going out and meeting people. It really can mean the difference between success and being stuck at a career dead-end.
Jimmy知道Brad和Pam的好意，說自己I don't mean to be a wallflower. 這裏所說的wallflower壁花，指的是因爲天性靦腆，或是不招人喜歡、所以很不合羣的人。Jimmy承認，自己不願意參加這些活動，主要是因爲害羞。
Brad馬上說，其實他也很討厭酒吧、夜總會這種地方，但是I know that going out and being seen is a big part of social networking. 經常出去，跟人接觸是建立社交關係網的一個重要部分。這裏所說的的social networking, 就是多結識一些人，擴大社交關係圈子。
Social networking對事業發展很重要，可能會決定一個人的成功，還是, being stuck at a career dead-end在事業上走進死衚衕。
