商務禮節美語第174期:支出賬目(下)

公司開會討論支出賬目，經理Tim和會計部主任John告訴大家，要緊縮開支，首先從員工可報銷的賬目下手。Tim說，

Tim: I'm not going to sugarcoat it: we'll have to cut back on our expenses or we'll have to cut back on staff, something I'd rather not do.

M: But we still have discretionary spending money, right?

T: Sure. You can spend half of the $300 on whatever you want without providing a receipt.

經理Tim說，我不想粉飾太平，sugarcoat it. 實際情況是，不減少開支，就得裁員。 Mike問，是不是還有discretionary spending money, 可以隨便支配的錢。答案是，三百塊裏一半的開銷都可以不交收據。

S: What other ways can we help cut costs?

T: Well, if it's a flight of less than four hours, we're going to ask you to fly economy class. For long distance flights you can still use business class.

J: And we need to talk about client dinners. I know you have to take the client to a nice place. I know you can't take them to McDonald's.

T: five Michelin star A+1 Golden Steakhouse? That's pushing it. I see a $265 claim here for a business dinner for two. That's got to come down.

Tim說，今後凡是不到四個小時的短途飛行，一律改爲經濟艙。John補充說，請客戶吃飯，雖然不能去麥當勞，但兩個人吃牛排花265塊，則未免有些過份。That's pushing it.

S: Actually, I've been doing more Internet research before I take clients to business meals. I've found you can save a lot of money by choosing an interesting, special place that isn't necessarily expensive.

T: Right! Say, "I know this little place..." and take them somewhere cool, but not at $265 a pop!

Shannon建議，不用帶客戶去太貴的地方吃飯，可以帶他們去一些更有意思，但並不貴的餐館。Tim贊成，說最好是take them somewhere cool, but not at $265 a pop. A pop是每次花多少錢的意思。

M: Another thing: stay out of the hotel bar! It's outrageous what they charge for a couple of cocktails! Go find a bar down the street to meet at. It's got more character and it's substantially cheaper.

J: Yes, good thinking.

M: And it goes without saying, the hotel room's "adult" movies are not business expenses.

(Laughter)

T: No, they most certainly aren't! Thanks guys! I appreciate your understanding.

Mike補充說，旅館酒吧太貴。最好能出去找個酒吧見面。不僅便宜，而且It's got more character. 還更有個性。Mike 搞笑道，It goes without saying不用說，旅館的成人電影是不能報銷的。