白領的一天 場景86:禮貌的請求 Polite requests

Narrator: 歡迎回到我們的節目。這還是 Anna 在 Tip Top 貿易公司上班的第一個周，這家公司是英國最大的水果模型批發商。 How is it going Anna?

Anna: Everything's still so new to me. I keep needing to ask people for help!

Narrator: Well, that's only natural at the beginning.

注意在請別人幫忙時應該使用像 would 和 could 這樣的禮貌用語；當然也要用please。不過千萬要注意你說話的語氣和神態務必要謙虛和有誠意。

Anna: Er, ok.

Paul: Hello Anna!

Anna: Oh hi, Paul!

Paul: I was wondering if you could do something for me?

Anna: Yes of course.

Paul: Would you be able print out a file for me? It's a document on CBL — Convincing Bananas Limited – they're one of our suppliers. The file should be on the system and could I have it in the next ten minutes please, as
they're on their way here for a meeting?

Anna: Yes. Oh no, I've no idea how to find it! Tom...?!

Tom: Er, ask Denise. She should know.

Anna: Ok, thanks Tom, I'll ask her.

Denise: (on the phone to Sharon) I'd warned her, you know, I said "Victoria, if you don't change your hairdresser…"

Anna: Denise?

Denise: One day you'll. Hold on a moment. Anna?

Anna: Please email me the background file on CBL.

Denise: Er!

Anna: Thank you.

Denise: (on the phone) Who does that girl think she is?... Anna... new girl... I told you about her... yes with the saucepans, that's the one. She's only been here five minutes and she's already acting like the Queen of Sheba...

Anna: Oh and Denise, please send it to me within five minutes, Paul needs it soon. Thank you.

Denise: Well honestly!

Tom: He he, good to see who's the boss, eh Denise?

Denise: Really!

Narrator: Er, Anna, 我想你得罪Denise了? You've upset Denise!

Anna: Upset Denise?

Narrator: 你剛纔在請 Denise 幫忙的時候不是很禮貌。 You were a bit rude Anna!

Anna: Was I?

Narrator: 別忘了我是怎麼說的 – 請別人幫忙，僅僅說 please 是不夠的，弄不好讓人聽起來反而很不禮貌。

Anna: Oh.

Narrator: 與其說 please send me the file, 不如試着這麼說 could you possibly send me the file? 或者 would you mind sending me the file?

Anna: Oh! English is so confusing! I'll try to remember that. Oh no, the printer isn't even set up! Tom...?

Tom: Yeah?

Anna: Please help me with - I mean, could you possibly help me with the printer?

Tom: Er... I need to finish this email to a very important new client.

Anna: But it's really urgent. Would you mind writing your email later?

Tom: Okay, since you asked so nicely. Let's have a look...

Narrator: 還好。 Anna 及時理解了怎麼用 could 和 would 這兩個詞來請別人幫忙。讓我們再來聽聽着使用這兩個詞的例句。

Paul: I was wondering if you could do something for me?

Paul: Would you be able print out a file for me?

Paul: Could I have it within ten minutes please?

Anna: Could you possibly help me with the printer?

Anna: Would you mind writing your email later?

Narrator: 打印機好像沒問題了。不過Anna 和Denise 能和睦相處嗎？該不會從今以後變成敵人了吧？

Denise: Really! 'Denise do this! Denise do that!' I'm telling you Sharon, I've almost had enough! I get treated like I'm some kind of servant!

聽力挑戰：

Tom 因爲什麼原因不能幫助 Anna 解決打印機的問題?

上期答案：

Tom 在 Tip Top Trading 公司的的職稱是什麼?

Tom is Senior Account manager. Tom 是高級財務經理。