純正地道美語 第201期(外教講解):交易失敗

Mr. Smith: I’m glad you could find time to meet with me, Mr. Johnson. I can’t think of a nicer environment for our meeting today, the ambiance here is lovely!

Mr. Johnson: No problem, if possible I always combine business with pleasure. Now, let’s hear more about these chocolates you’re offering.

Mr. Smith: Well, as you know, I have recently become the sole distributor for Grangers Gourmet Bon-bons here in the United States. They’re a new manufacturer and are looking to break into the luxury market. Naturally, your restaurant sprang into my mind immediately. I think your brand exemplifies many of the same traits as Grangers and serving these chocolates would really add to your reputation for providing elegant, luxurious, first class dining.

Mr. Johnson: Hmmm, sounds interesting... gourmet chocolates, where are they produced? Belgium?

Mr. Smith: Actually, the factory is located in Scotland.

Mr. Johnson: Really? I didn’t think they were known for their luxury chocolate production...

Mr. Smith: That’s what makes this such a fantastic opportunity! The government is one hundred percent supportive of creating new export markets and has guaranteed a low tariff for all wholesale orders of over one thousand units. They’ve also reduced the red tape involved at customs as well. Here, I brought these especially for you, try one!

Mr. Johnson: Oh, thanks. Mmm, hmm, creamy texture, smooth...

Mr. Smith:Unique, aren’t they? I bet you’ve never tasted anything like it! Quality is assured as I personally visit the factory to make sure no one’s cutting corners with the ingredients. Only the creme make it through inspection. Mr. Johnson:

Mr. Johnson: Yes, very interesting htly spicy, very unique, that’s for sure. Exactly what ARE the ingredients?

Mr. Smith: I have it on highest authority that this traditional secret recipe has been handed down in the Granger family for generations. I’m sure you can keep a secret. Buttermilk, cacao beans, sugar and Haggis.

Mr. Johnson: Haggis? What’s Haggis?

Mr. Smith: It’s a traditional Scottish delicacy; you take sheep’s liver, heart and lung and stuff it inside of the sheep’s stomach.

Mr. Johnson: Ah, get back to you.

Mr. Smith:Mr. Johnson? Mr. Johnson?

ambience n. 氣氛; 格調;

distributor n. 經銷人; 經銷商

manufacturer n. 工廠

break into 快速進軍

spring v.閃現

exemplify v. 例證, 示範

trait n. 特色, 特性

factory n.企業

tariff n. 關稅

wholesale n.批發

red tape 繁文縟節

cutting corners 偷工減料

hand down 傳下來。

Haggis 由羊的內臟攙和燕麥粉和板油製成

stuff v.填充

史密斯：很高興，你能找到時間來見我，約翰先生，我想不出會面的更好環境了，這兒的環境很不錯。

約翰：沒問題，如果可能，我總是將買賣和樂趣融合起來。現在，我們來聽聽你們提供的巧克力。

史密斯：正如你所知，我最近剛成爲Grangers Gourmet Bon-bons的美國唯一經銷商。他們是一家新廠，想快速挺近奢侈品市場，自然，我就馬上想到了你的飯店。我認爲你們展示了很有像Grangers這樣具有特色的品牌，爲顧客提供這樣的巧克力會增加您提供優雅，奢華，頂級食物的美譽。

約翰：聽起來很有意思，美食家巧克力，這是哪兒產的？比利時？

史密斯：實際上，企業在蘇格蘭。

約翰：真的嗎？我認爲他們的奢華巧克力並不出名。

史密斯：那恰恰是機遇。政府特別支持開拓國外市場，只要超過1千份的批發訂單都會享受到低價灌水。他們也減少了海關的辦事手續。我特意帶了些巧克力來，嚐嚐。

約翰：奶油質地，口感爽滑

史密斯：很特別，不是嗎？我敢打賭你從未吃過這樣的巧克力。我曾私下去企業參觀來確保產品不偷工減料，所以質量有保證。只有精華從能通過監察，約翰先生。

約翰：是的，很好的口味，有些芳香，很特別，這是肯定的。成分有什麼？

史密斯：我敢保證這是Granger 家族祖傳的傳統祕方。我知道你會保守祕密。成分有: 酪乳, 可可豆,糖和羊肉雜碎布丁。

約翰：什麼是“羊肉雜碎布丁”？

史密斯：是種傳統的蘇格蘭做法：取下羊的肝臟，心和肺，然後將之填充在羊的胃裏。

約翰：還是還給你吧。

史密斯：約翰先生？約翰先生？