禮節美語 Body Language IV
公司主管Andy又請專門研究肢體語言的Monica給公司銷售員 Sara和James培訓。Monica說:
Monica:Okay, so we talked about composure. Let's go in the other direction now and talk about humor.
J:Ah, that's something that's always puzzled me. Is it a good idea to make jokes?
M:Research shows that people are more likely to accept an idea if it's wrapped in humor. But the point isn't about finding a really funny joke. Laughter is actually about bonding.
S:Yes...I've noticed that many times people at a meeting are all laughing about something that really isn't all that funny.
Monica接下來談到了幽默在生意場上的作用。他說,有調查發現,用幽默的方式把一件事情說出來,更容易被對方接受。但關鍵不是要講一個特別好笑的笑話,而是笑聲能加強人與人之間的紐帶。
M:That's right! They are not really joking...they are attempting to bond.
A:So go ahead and throw in a funny comment or a clever remark...but there's got to be some minefields we should avoid as well, right?
M:Yeah...don't make dirty, sexist or racist jokes or comments. And of course don't humiliate anyone.
J:I have a question. I'm never quite sure where to sit during a business meeting.
M:The ancient Chinese art of "Feng Shui" teaches that you should never sit with the door behind you—and actually there's a scientific reason for that.
雖然及時講個笑話,或是發表一點幽默的評論能有助于調節氣氛,加強紐帶,但講笑話也有一些需要忌諱的地方,或者說是 minefield 雷區。Don't make dirty, sexist or racist jokes or comments. Monica說,不要講黃色笑話、性別歧視的笑話和種族歧視的笑話,而且不要 humiliate 羞辱別人。James問了一個很簡單的問題,那就是,開會的時候應該坐在哪兒。Monica 說,按照中國風水里的講究,后背不要對著門,這是有科學道理的,為什么呢?
M:When a person's back is placed towards an open space he becomes stressed; his blood pressure increases and his heart beats faster.
S:That makes sense! People subconsciously worry about getting attacked if they don't know what's lurking behind them.
J:Interesting. I'll be sure to sit facing the door from now on!
A:Monica, thank you for another great class! I think we all learned a lot today.
M:My pleasure! See you next time!
Monica 解釋說,如果后背對著開放的空間,那這個人就容易有壓力,血壓升高,心跳加速,因為他們不知道身后可能會隱藏著什么危險,They don't know what's lurking behind them. 所以會下意識地感到不安全,因此在選擇座位時,最好是臉沖著門。怎么樣,大家是不是也學到了一些以前不知道的事情呢?
B:I don't actually mind having a seat with the door behind me—as long as that's not the default place for the person who pays the bill.
A:哈哈! 你是說,只要不是負責結帳的人專門坐的位子就行?我同意!其實中國人飯桌是圓的,就是為了不分主次,所以坐哪兒都差不多。
B:好了,After our business class, let's take a break. Up next is American Sports English!