职场英语学习：婉言拒绝客户饭局

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。