Using Polite Language in Office Business

陳豪在北京的ABC美國公司工作，他看見美國同事Amy正跟辦公室另外幾個(gè)人一起出去。

(Office ambience)

CH：Amy, Are you guys going to lunch?

A：Yes. Would you like to join us?

C：好啊。我跟你們一起去。

A：I have to make one phone call before I leave. Would you like to wait for me or go ahead with everyone else?

C：我等你。

A：Thank you.

C：No problem.

A：Say, Chen Hao, my phone call can wait a few minutes. I need to tell you something while it is on my mind.

C：Uh-oh. 我做錯(cuò)什么事了嗎？

A：No, you said something wrong. Actually you said two things that caught my attention.

C：嗯....可我剛才沒說什么啊？

A：First, you used the expression "You guys."

C：我那些同事經(jīng)常把you guys掛在嘴邊上，我這可是跟美國人學(xué)的。

A：I know they do, but that doesn't mean it's correct or polite.

C：為什么不對(duì)呢？

A：Because the word "guy" is an informal term that refers to a man or boy. People today use the plural "guys" without regard for gender. That is not correct usage of the word and it demonstrates a lack of polish.

C：那要是有男有女應(yīng)該怎么說呢？

A：You could have simply asked, "Are you going to lunch?" Or you could have said, "Are you ALL going to lunch?"

C：我知道了。

A：Now please excuse me while I make that quick phone call. Otherwise we'll miss lunch altogether.

C：No problem.

******

Amy打完電話跟陳豪一起去吃午飯。

C：Amy, 你剛才不是還要糾正我另外一個(gè)錯(cuò)誤嗎？

A：Yes. I have noticed that when someone says "thank you", your response is always "no problem."

C：我經(jīng)常聽別人這么說啊，難道這也不對(duì)嗎？

A：Lots of people say that in response to "thank you." However, that is not the correct reply. The correct response to "thank you" is "You are welcome."

C：Amy, 你是不是太挑剔了？

A：No, it's being polite and polished. "You guys" and "no problem" are slang phrases which are not formal.

C：俚語？

A：That's right. Slang expressions will detract from your professional image. "You guys" is only acceptable with a group of men in a very informal setting like the locker room.

C：那"no problem"呢？

A：It is only acceptable when someone asks if you have problem with something.

C：我明白了，就是說一定要注意區(qū)分俚語和正規(guī)語言，特別是不能在正式場合亂用俚語。

A：You got it! Now let's eat. I am starving.