商務禮節美語第45期:社交網絡(3)

Jimmy因爲天性靦腆，所以每逢社交活動，一律能推就推。同事Brad和Pam想幫他克服這個障礙。Pam問 Jimmy，

P: When you are walking down the street, do you judge the people you see?

J: Not really. Maybe only if they're wearing something really weird.

P: Right! So it helps to remember that others are usually not judging you.

J: Yeah, that does sort of help.

P: Another important point is that practice makes perfect. I sometimes make public speeches, but the first couple of times

I did it I was nervous and sweating and I thought I was going to die!

Jimmy承認，自己走在街上，不會過份注意別人。那同樣的，別人其實也不會盯着你沒完沒了地看。

Pam還說，practice makes perfect熟能生巧。比如說，家長經常會告訴孩子，鋼琴要天天彈，因爲practice makes perfect. Pam說，自己以前很怕當衆發言，每次講話前，都特別緊張，要死要活的，I thought I was going to die! Jimmy說，

J: But after a couple times it got better, right?

P: Yep. These days I actually enjoy making speeches!

B: I suggest you just jump right in and say, "yes" whenever you have a chance to socialize. You never know what you might find.

P: Yeah, I've found friendship, business opportunities and even romance in the most unexpected places.

結果還真應了那句話，practice makes perfect. Pam現在居然很喜歡當衆講話了。

Brad建議Jimmy, 只要有機會出去社交，就應該jump right in，立即欣然接受。Pam也在一邊幫腔說，她就曾經在最意想不到的地方交到過朋友、碰到過商業機遇，甚至還找到過愛情的火花！ The most unexpected places，意思是最意想不到的地方。比如說，我朋友生病住院的時候認識了她現在的先生。我們就可以說，She met her husband in one of the most unexpected places.

B: But if you don't jump in, you'll never have a chance.

K: Thanks guys! I'm going to make a greater effort to network and overcome my shyness. And yes, I'd love to join you at the bar this evening and I'd be happy to play volleyball for your team on Saturday. I'll even come to dinner this Sunday!

B: That's the spirit!

P: See you later!

就是啊，如果你不去嘗試體驗，就永遠不會有機會。Jimmy最後終於被說服了。他保證要加倍努力去network, 克服自己膽怯的障礙。

他還說，願意下班一起去酒吧，星期六也願意去打排球，甚至表示要去參加部門經理的晚餐會。Brad聽後很高興，That's the spirit! 意思是，這就對了。That's the spirit，是一句經常用來鼓勵別人的話。比如說，孩子比賽輸了雖然沮喪，但表示會再接再勵，家長就可以說，That's the spirit! 這就對了。再比如，如果有人找工作，面試沒有被錄取，但表示不灰心，繼續找，我們也可以說，That's the spirit!