English at Work Episode 16: Slimy Limey Politely refusing
BBC白领工作英语第16集:油嘴滑舌,婉言拒绝
Narrator: 大家好。 还记得上次Anna正接到Lime 先生的电话,请她吃午饭。现在Anna正和 Denise 说起这件事儿呢。
Denise: ...and before you know it, he'll be asking you to marry him! Trust me Anna, this has happened to me dozens of times!
Anna: But I thought he was only interested in the lemons! Please promise me you won’t mention this to anyone.
Denise: OK, I promise.
Anna: Oh, shhhh!
Tom: Good morning ladies. What's going on?
Denise: Mr Lime has asked Anna to lunch!
Anna: Please-
Tom: And?
Denise: And it's not to talk business! I saw him looking at her with big eyes, from the moment he first saw her!
Anna: Denise!
Tom: Old Slimy Limey eh? Lucky Anna!
Anna: He's not slimy, it's just-
Tom: Don't tell me you said yes?
Anna: Well I didn't know what to say.
Tom: You didn't?
Anna: No, no, I said I was busy and would call back. I wanted to just say no, but with everyone complaining that I'm not polite on the phone... I just... I didn't know how to say it politely.
Tom: Ha ha, alright, I'll tell you what to say.
Anna: Hang on, let me write it down... why do all the pens keep disappearing?
Denise: Here's one.
Anna: Thanks. Okay, I'm listening Tom.
Tom: Say: go...
Anna: (writing) go...
Tom: ...away... Slimy Limey.
Anna: Go away Slimy Limey – are you sure?
Tom: Of course!
Denise: Don't listen to him Anna. This is what you say: Thank you for your offer. But I'm really sorry, I won't be able to. Then explain why, say I'm afraid.. blah blah blah
Anna: Blah blah blah?
Denise: Say it's against company policy to have non-business lunches with clients.
Anna: Meaning?
Denise: You're not allowed to if it's not for business. Then say: It wouldn't be appropriate. So, with regret, I'm going to have to say no.
Anna: Okay, I think I've got that all down. Thanks. He'll be waiting for my call.
(dials number)
Mr Lime: Hello, Seb Lime speaking.
Anna: Hello Mr Lime.
Mr Lime: Anna! Please, call me Seb. So, when can I invite you to lunch?
Denise: Thank you for your offer...
Anna: Well, thank you for your offer. But I'm really sorry, I won't be able to.
Mr Lime: Oh?
Denise: I'm afraid...
Anna: I'm afraid it's against company policy to have non-business lunches with people.
Mr Lime: Really? Oh how tedious!
Denise: It wouldn't be-
Anna: Shhh!
Mr Lime: Pardon?
Anna: No, not shhh you Mr Slimy I meant shhhh Denise!
Mr Lime: Mr Slimy?
Anna: Oh no! I mean Mr Limey – Lime – er Seb! You see, it wouldn't be appropriate. So, with regret, I'm going to have to say no.
Mr Lime: I think I've understood. Goodbye Anna.
Anna: Goodbye.
Narrator: 哎呀,他听起来挺不高兴的。不过除了一个小错误,Anna 的表现倒是很不错。以下是 Anna 回绝午餐邀请用到的一些短语:
Thank you for your offer. But I'm really sorry, I won't be able to. 意思是:谢谢你的邀请。不过我真的没法儿去。
I'm afraid it’s against company policy 抱歉,这是公司的规矩,不能违反。
It wouldn't be appropriate. 这个不合适/不恰当。
With regret, I'm going to have to say no. 非常遗憾,我得说不。 Good job Anna, bad luck Mr Slimy.
Anna 做的不错。Mr 油腔滑调可是不走运啊!
· 听力挑战
What excuse does Anna give Seb Lime for not going to lunch with him?
Anna 以什么理由拒绝了Lime 先生的午餐邀请?
Answer: Anna says it's against company policy.
答案:Anna 说公司政策不允许。
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