美語訓練班第113課:升職的機會
B: Welcome to American English Mosaic, I'm Mike Bond!
A: And I'm Lin Yang.
B: Today we will tell you how to dress to impress! Get ready to learn all the different kinds of dress codes in the business world.
A: 成天興高采烈得到升職的機會比較小? 我們在下面的課程裏爲你介紹。
B: And in words and idioms, we will learn what "ride high" and "blessing in disguise" means!
A: All coming up on American English Mosaic!
B: Now let's go into our first segment, Learn a word!
Learn A Word 1807 critical
今天我們要學的詞是critical. Critical is spelled c-r-i-t-i-c-a-l, critical. Critical 形容詞，重要的。Proactively managing your health is critical to staying healthy. 積極注意自己的身體對保持健康很重要。Experts say getting enough sleep plays a critical role in maintaining good health. 有關專家說，保證睡眠充足對身體健康有很重要的作用。
Location is a critical factor for the success of any business. 對於任何商業機構來說，地理位置是成功的一個重要因素。Job creation is critical to the growth of any economy. 創造就業對任何一個經濟體的成長來說都很重要。好的，今天我們學習的詞是 critical, critical, critical...
A: Enough sleep is critical in maintaining good health. 我就是，要是睡不好昏沉沉的，我一天什麼都幹不好。
B: Yeah, I definitely agree with that. I once read a scientific study that said sleep deprivation will not only affect how you behave, but can also permanently damage your brain. That's why sleep deprivation is used as a torture technique in some countries.
A: 哎呀太可怕了! Having a good night sleep can make your brain function at peak efficiency, thus everything will ride high!
B: See, that's what I'm talking about. All you need is more sleep, Yang Lin.
A: What?
B: Haha, OK, you know I'm kidding! Well, you just mentioned an interesting idiom: ride high. Let's check it out in today's word's idioms!
Words and Idioms 861 RIDE HIGH
美國習慣用語第 861 講。
真希望每個禮拜都象上星期一樣。先是推出新節目受領導表揚，接下來是一個接受採訪的嘉賓請我去給他學生做報告，居然還有一個以前的實習生請我吃飯，感謝我對他的關照。喔賽，簡直讓我不知道姓什麼了。這也讓我想起了一個習慣用語，
M: Ride high. Ride is spelled r-i-d-e, and high; h-i-g-h. Ride-high.
Ride 是騎、駕馭的意思； high 是高的意思。Ride high 連在一起，意思是“大獲成功”。我最近的生活就是這句話，I've been RIDING HIGH. 做什麼事兒都順。如果能一直這樣該多好！我敢說，美國總統奧巴馬一定了解我的感受，讓我們聽聽下面這段報道。
M: "After a U.S. President is inaugurated, he usually RIDES HIGH in the polls. Such is the case with Barack Obama, who enjoyed the support of a significant majority of the population. After a number of months, however, his standing began to slip. Some Americans became more critical of his performance in office."
這個人說：美國總統宣誓就職後，民意調查的支持率向來很高，奧巴馬也是一樣，得到了大多數美國人的支持。然後，短短几個月後，他的民衆支持率就開始下滑了，一些美國人開始對他的業績感到不滿。
這就是我們常說的蜜月期結束，Honeymoon is over. 這也讓我想起了參加 British Got Talent “英國達人”比賽而轟動一時的 Susan Boyle 蘇珊.波伊爾。一夜之間，世界各地的人都從互聯網上知道了蘇格蘭有個天才歌手，叫蘇珊.波伊爾。 She was RIDING HIGH. 可是沒過多久，媒體的狂轟濫炸就讓她承受不起了。看來，不管是誰，一夜成名都是很難適應的。讓我們再來聽聽上面那段話。
M: "After a U.S. President is inaugurated, he usually RIDES HIGH in the polls. Such is the case with Barack Obama, who enjoyed the support of a significant majority of the population. After a number of months, however, his standing began to slip. Some Americans became more critical of his performance in office."
你知道全球最大的咖啡連鎖店是哪一家嗎？沒錯，就是1971年在美國西雅圖成立的星巴克。讓我們聽聽下面的報道。
M: "Throughout the 1990s, Starbuck's Coffee opened a new store every workday. It was RIDING HIGH. But lately, despite its more than 16,000 locations in 49 countries, success hasn't come as easily. A struggling economy and increased competition have created challenges for the world's largest coffeehouse."
報道說：上個世紀九十年代，星巴克每天都有新店開張，獲得了巨大的成功。但是最近，儘快星巴克在全球49個國家開設了一萬六千多家分店，但是成功之路並不平坦。舉步維艱的經濟和不斷加劇的行業競爭都爲這家全球最大的咖啡店帶來了挑戰。
是啊，現在象麥當勞這種快餐店都賣咖啡，物美價廉。但是在快餐店買咖啡，跟去星巴克裏坐坐感覺還是不一樣。畢竟，星巴克的經營策略就是要爲顧客提供一個在家庭和公司以外，能跟別人接觸的第三類場所。好的，我們再來聽一下上面那個例句。
M: "Throughout the 1990s, Starbuck's Coffee opened a new store every workday. It was RIDING HIGH. But lately, despite its more than 16,000 locations in 49 countries, success hasn't come as easily. A struggling economy and increased competition have created challenges for the world's largest coffeehouse."
好的，這次美國習慣用語就到此結束了。
M: Until next time.
下次節目再見。
M: This has been Words and Idioms.
A: 說起蘇珊大媽，she was riding high for quite a while! But then she got fed up with the crazy amount of attention on her life. 看來一夜成名真不容易。
B: You can say that again. You know, sometimes I watch these talent shows as well. What fascinates me is not only how well they sing, but how ridiculously dressed up they get.
A: I guess stars needs to dress differently than normal people. I find that you can tell a person's occupation by observing how he/she dresses.
B: That's true. Especially in business world, you need to be a lot more careful about what you are wearing.
A: Yep, beauty is skin deep, but first impression do make a difference. Let's learn about different dress codes in today's Business Etiquette!
禮節美語 Dress Code I
公司高層開會，老闆 Frank 建議，規定着裝標準，不能太隨便。
Frank: Good morning everyone. Thanks for being on time.
Gary & Penny: Good morning, Frank.
F: We've got a whole bunch of topics to go over today, but let's start with a simple one: our company's dress code.
G: We have a dress code?
F: we didn't have one before, I'm instituting one, starting now.
P: What exactly does this mean?
公司老闆 Frank 說，首先討論着裝要求，dress code。Gary 覺得奇怪，不知道公司什麼時候有了 dress code. Frank表示，以前沒有沒關係，I'm instituting one starting now. 就從現在開始定。
F: I've become concerned that we are getting a bit too casual. I was walking through the office the other day and some people were wearing shorts and T-shirts! I don't think that is appropriate office wear.
P: It's true. Our standards have been going down. It used to be that we wore casual clothes only on Fridays, but these days it seems we do it almost everyday.
Frank 原來是看到員工穿得太隨便，a bit too casual. T恤衫，短褲，什麼都有，不合適上班穿。Penny 承認，着裝標準是有些下降，原來只有星期五不用穿得太正式，也就是常說的 Casual Friday, 可如今大家每天都穿得很隨便。
G: But Frank, don't you think maybe this isn't such a big issue? I mean, why does it matter what we are wearing? I think productivity is more important!
F: Actually, I agree with you, Gary. Productivity is the most important thing. But I think what we wear is linked to productivity.
P: In what way are they linked?
F: Police officers wear uniforms, right? It's a symbol to both them and the public that they are serious about what they do.
Gary覺得，穿着並不重要，重要的是工作效率，productivity. Frank 卻認爲，穿着跟效率之間也有密切聯繫。比如警察穿制服，就是一個象徵，a symbol, 告訴自己，也告訴大衆，他們覺得自己的工作很重要。
G: You're the boss, Frank, so of course it's your I have to say, I'm not so keen on this idea. I think neckties cut off blood circulation. I'm much more in favor of a relaxed workplace environment.
F: And for some companies a relaxed atmosphere might work. At Google they let you bring your dog to work! But we are a serious financial company with an image to uphold.
Frank 的工作態度論並沒有說服Gray. 他說，you're the boss. It's your call. 你是老闆，你說了算，但我還是主張有一個輕鬆的工作環境 I'm in favor of a relaxed workplace environment. Frank 看來已經拿定主意，說輕鬆的工作環境適合某些公司，但他們是一家嚴謹的金融公司，with an image to uphold. 要保持公司形象。新的 dress code 是什麼呢？我們下次繼續聽。
A: 公司領導Frank給大家開會，希望給公司員工制定 dress code，着裝標準，他認爲what we wear is linked to productivity, 着裝與效率有直接的關係。員工Gary說，I'm in favor of a relaxed workplace environment, 主張有輕鬆的工作環境。
B: I agree with the boss. Sometimes what you wear is like a symbol of your work. It shows that you take your job seriously.
A: That's true. I have an uncle who is a business man. He once told me that he needs to drive a Benz to business meetings, so first time customers will take him and his company more seriously. I think that's the symbol of power.
B: That's why luxurious brands are so expensive! They are just selling the social status! Well, let's keep listening to Frank and see what dress code they are going to have!
禮節美語 Dress Code II
公司高層開會，老闆 Frank 建議，嚴格員工的着裝標準，穿得不能太隨便。公司主管 Penny 說，
P: I'm inclined to agree with Frank. You know that old saying: "Don't judge a book by its cover?" Well, almost everyone DOES judge by what they see on the outside. I think we do need to present a more professional image.
F: Some of the ladies may also have to tone down their attire as well. Clothes that are too revealing are not appropriate either.
G: What exactly is acceptable and what is not?
俗話說，Don't judge a book by its cover. 人不可貌相，可實際上，Penny 表示，幾乎所有人都難免以貌取人 judge by what they see on the outside, 因此公司需要樹立專業形象。Frank又說，女員工穿着也要 tone down 收斂，不能過於暴露，revealing, r-e-v-e-a-l-i-n-g, revealing 是暴露的意思。 那到底什麼樣兒才符合要求呢？
F: Well, for the men it's pretty simple. They should wear a button-down shirt with a collar and preferably a tie as well. Jeans are not acceptable.
P: For the women I'd say professional looking skirts or dresses that go down to at least the knee are acceptable. And blouses or shirts should not show too much skin.
F: And of course, no sandals or flip-flops. Shorts are NEVER acceptable.
P: Do you think members of the board should try to dress especially well?
F: Yes I do. We are representatives of the company and we need to be a good example. I'd say the men should try to wear a full business suit when possible.
男人簡單，無非是襯衫領帶，不穿牛仔。女人則要穿職業女裝，裙子過膝，上衣不能太露，一個字，professional looking 看上去要職業化。此外，涼鞋、拖鞋和短褲是萬萬不能穿的。Frank 還說，理事會成員代表公司，要以身作則，穿得更正式。
G: Can we still have "Casual Fridays?"
F: (chuckle) Sure, 's keep that tradition. But "casual" can't be too casual. I'd say jeans are OK on Fridays, but no T-shirts. Polo shirts or short-sleeved sports shirts are OK.
G: So I guess we are going to need to send out a memo with these new guidelines. Some people aren't going to be very happy about this.
F: Well, we in management can lead by example.
P: Actually, I kind of enjoy getting dressed up! It's fun!
G: And I guess I'll get used to the new rules. I do look pretty good in a suit.
F&P: (Chuckle)
Frank 同意保留星期五隨意着裝的傳統，但不能太過份，牛仔褲可以穿，帶領子的馬球衫 Polo shirts 和短袖襯衣可以穿，但是沒領子的T恤衫還是不行。Gary 最後無可奈何地說，I guess I'll get used to the new rules. 我想我會慢慢習慣新規矩的。
A: Frank給大家制定了着裝標準，男士要穿a button-down shirt with a collar，有領的襯衫，女士呢要穿professional looking skirts or dresses，職業裝。他們將保留casual Friday, 便裝星期五。這意味星期五可以穿Jeans和Polo shirt, 牛仔褲和馬球衫。Frank說，管理層要穿a full business suit, 全套西裝，because they are representatives of the company.他們代表公司的形象。
B: I guess if a company is in service industry, it needs to have a dress code. Clients are going to judge how professional you are by what they see on the outside.
A: That's true. 好啦，着裝這個話題呢就到這。咱們接着今天的課程吧!
B: Let's listen to another learn a word!
Learn A Word 1808 overly
今天我們要學的詞是overly. Overly is spelled o-v-e-r-l-y, overly. Overly 過多的，過份的。Critics say the new rules are overly restrictive. 批評人士指責說，新規定過於嚴格了。一項最新研究顯示，Overly cheerful women are less likely to be promoted. 每天老是興高采烈的女性，跟其他人比，得到升職的機會比較少。家長關愛孩子沒有錯，但是孩子長大了一定要學會放手。Helicopter parents who are overly involved in their adult children's lives can do more harm than good. 過份介入成人子女正常生活的“直升機”父母，給孩子帶來的傷害可能要超過給孩子帶來的好處。 好的，今天我們學習的詞是 overly, overly, overly...
B: You hear that Yang Lin? Overly cheerful women are less likely to be promoted.
A: Overly cheerful? It's called having a sunshiny personality! You know, being positive can make your life a lot easier. You should try it Mike.
B: Ha! I would rather get promoted! But I do find that if you have a positive attitude, a lot of bad things can actually turn out to be not so terrible. You just need to keep calm and handle things in a logical way.
A: I call those blessings in disguise!
B: And let's check this idiom out!
Words and Idioms 862 BLESSING IN DISGUISE
美國習慣用語第 862 講。工夫不負有心人。我們終於買到房子了。這是我們看着滿意，出價想買的第三棟房子，也是我們最滿意的一棟。現在看來，好在前兩棟都被別人出更高的價錢搶走了，塞翁失馬，焉知非福，用英語說，就叫
M: Blessing in disguise. Blessing is spelled b-l-e-s-s-i-n-g. Blessing. Disguise is spelled d-i-s-g-u-i-s-e. Disguise. Blessing in disguise.
Blessing 在這裏是好事，喜事的意思。Disguise 是僞裝、掩飾。a blessing in disguise 意思就是原來以爲是倒黴事，可結果證明反倒是件好事。塞翁失馬，焉知非福。就好象我們家買房子，前兩棟房子都沒買到手，本來覺得挺沮喪，後來買到第三棟房子，最符合我們的要求，這才意識到，前兩棟房子沒買到原來是 a blessing in disguise. 在下面的例子裏，一名飛機乘客遇到的倒黴事最後居然救了他的命。讓我們一起來聽聽。
M: "I was so annoyed when I missed my flight. I knew it meant waiting an extra five hours for the next plane to Hawaii. But when I heard that my original flight had been hijacked. Oh my god, what a BLESSING IN DISGUISE it was to miss it!"
這個人說：我誤了飛機，心裏本來特別煩，因爲這就意味着我要在機場多等五個小時，纔有下一班飛機去夏威夷。後來聽說，我原來要坐的那架客機被劫持了。天啊，錯過那架航班原來是塞翁失馬，焉知非福。
這個人運氣可真是夠好的。Blessings in disguise 這個習慣用語最早出現於十八世紀，當時，虔誠的清教徒認爲，所有好事都是上帝的賜福 blessing，而那些表面上看起來很倒黴的事情，其實都是 blessings in disguise 是好事經過了僞裝，不讓你一下子識別出來。不過，今天大家說 blessings in disguise 已經不再帶有宗教意義了。好的，讓我們再來聽聽上面那段話。
M: "I was so annoyed when I missed my flight. I knew it meant waiting an extra five hours for the next plane to Hawaii. But when I heard that my original flight had been hijacked. Oh my god, what a BLESSING IN DISGUISE it was to miss it!"
如今經濟不景氣，很多人都面臨失業。對於下面這個例子裏的年輕人來說，失業反而變成了他生活的動力。讓我們一起來聽聽。
M: "Getting fired turned out to be a BLESSING IN DISGUISE because it made me think about my future for the first time. Now I have clear goals for the first time and I intend to follow them."
報道說：被公司解僱讓我第一次開始爲自己的前途認真思考。這可是塞翁失馬，焉知非福。如今，我第一次爲自己找到了明確的目標，決定就朝着這個方向發展。
我的一個搞室內裝修的朋友不久前被公司解僱，只好自己開公司單幹，結果反倒做得越來越有起色。看來，有時候人確實不能安於現狀，失去朝九晚五，給人打工的飯碗，未必是件壞事，興許就是 A BLESSING IN DISGUISE. 好的，我們再來聽一下上面那個例句。
M: "Getting fired turned out to be a BLESSING IN DISGUISE because it made me think about my future for the first time. Now I have clear goals for the first time and I intend to follow them."
我侄子去年踢球把小腿踢斷了，不能再去參加訓練和比賽，結果反倒專心學習，SAT 考了很高的分數，被哈佛大學錄取。我姐姐私下裏跟我說，這可真是 A BLESSING IN DISGUISE.
好的，這次美國習慣用語就到此結束了。
M: Until next time.
下次節目再見。
M: This has been Words and Idioms.
A: Well, I can honestly say working with you has been a blessing in Disguise.
B: huh? Why is that?
A: Since your so lazy I've been having to do both of our work, which has taught me how to be more efficient with my time and showed me that I can accomplish more than I ever believed possible!
B: Ow Yanglin, just ow........
A: You are welcome! 好了同學們，這次節目時間就到這裏了。
B: Tune in next time for American English Mosaic!
A: See you next time!
