禮節美語

A Relationship at the Office II

Sam 和 Lucinda 在公司談戀愛，被老板 Joe 找來談話。Sam 和 Lucinda 保證，兩人的戀愛關系不會影響工作。讓我們聽聽老板 Joe 是怎么說的。

J: I understand your position completely. And let me say: our company doesn't have a blanket ban on interoffice relationships. We are just concerned about possible ramifications. When you first fall in love, of course you don't think about what would happen if you broke up, but let's face it...break-ups are very common. Have you considered what it would be like if the relationship didn't work out?

Joe 說，公司并不一律禁止內部的戀愛關系，a blanket ban 一概而論，全部禁止。但他 同時提醒他們，萬一兩人吹了，該怎么辦。Joe 說，Break-ups are very common. Break-up 意思就是戀愛關系的中斷。

L: That's true. It would be very awkward to work with an ex-boyfriend every day.

S: But there must be some way we can continue dating and working together. We are adults after all.

J: Yes, I think there are ways you can continue a relationship while working together. Relationship experts say the first rule when co-workers decide to date each other is to plan an "exit strategy".

Lucinda 承認，萬一兩人吹了，會十分尷尬，但是 Sam 表示，總該有個讓戀愛工作兩不誤的好辦法，畢竟大家都是成年人。Joe 告訴他們，專家說了，跟同事談戀愛，首先應該想好“exit strategy”，退出戰略。

L: Exit strategy?

J: Yes. What would you do if the relationship isn't successful? You should think about that. I think the biggest issue is that if it doesn't work out, you still have to face that person every day...and that can be tough.

S: I think you've given us some good points we should talk over. Let me assure you that Lucinda and I will be as discreet as possible around the office.

Joe 所說的 exit strategy 退出戰略，其實就是想好后路的意思，萬一吹了，該如何彼此面對。Sam 保證說，他和 Lucinda 一定會盡量注意影響。

J: One option is for one of you to transfer to a different department so you can still work together, but not in such an intimate way.

L: Yes, that's a possibility we should think about. Let me also say that we recognize that when we are working, the job comes first. There will be no drop in productivity, I can guarantee that!

J: Well, I think you both are handling this situation in a mature way. Let's just take it from here and see how it goes, OK? Thanks for talking with me and being honest and open. I really appreciate that.

S: Thanks, boss!

Joe 建議說，Sam 和 Lucinda 其中一人不妨考慮換個部門工作。Lucinda 再次保證，不會影響工作，Job comes first. 一切以工作為重。談話結束前，Joe 稱贊兩人處事成熟，Let's just take it from here and see how it goes. 意思是走一步看一步吧。

B: That sounds like a good idea, to let the couples work on different projects. This way it won't be too awkward if the two split.

A: 那我得抓緊時間，去別的辦公室尋找帥哥行動開始!

B: All right, day dreaming queen...