Ann: 陈豪在美国公司已经工作了一段时间。今天老板要找他谈话。老板找谈话会有什么事呢? 陈豪心里有点不安,所以急着去请教美籍华人Mary。

(Office ambience)

陈:(很着急地)Hey, Mary,快,我有事问你。

M:What’s the matter?

陈: 老板的秘书通知我老板过一会要找我谈话,可说的话我没听懂,说是为了什么punc…punc… 那个词我不知道…

M: Punctual?

陈:对,有点像,不过那个词最后的音好像是什么ty 来了。

M:Punctuality?

陈:Yes, yes. Punctuality. Punctuality是什么意思呀?哟,不好了,时间到了,我得去了。

(Sound of knocking on the door; opening the door)

Mr. Jones: Mr. Chen, it has been brought to my attention that you are frequently late for meetings. I want you to know that punctuality is important in American business and in our company too.

C: Sorry, Mr. Jones, I am not sure I understand. What exactly do you mean by punc… punctuality?

Mr. Jones: Punctuality simply means being on time. If a meeting is scheduled for one o’clock, everyone is expected to be in the meeting room and ready to start.

C: (自语:噢,开会要准时!) Mr. Jones, now I understand. I’ll be on time for meetings from now on.

Ms. Jones: Good.

(Sound of pushing chairs and walking)

M: 嗨,陈豪,刚才我要告诉你 punctuality就是准时,你匆忙走了,大概没有听见。哎,老板找你干什么呀?

C:他批评我开会不准时。他不懂,可我又没法和老板争。你知道有的时候我专心工作忘了时间!

M. 那不行,上星期开会讨论财务,可数据全在你手上。你不到,会没法开。There’s no way to have the meeting without you,所以你浪费了大家的时间。Being late is a sign of disrespect。

C: 我不是有意没礼貌,有的时候是没法控制的。那天我刚要去开会,电话铃响了。

M:That’s simple. Don’t answer it。 打电话的人要是有重要事情他会留言。你开完会可以打回电。

陈:还有一次,开会的时间到了,可是一个客户来看我。我总不能不见吧?

M:实在没有办法的时候,inform others that you are delayed。这样别人就会觉得你是尊重他们的。

陈:行,知道了。哎,Mary,你再给我总结一下吧,免得我忘了。

M:Punctuality simply means being on time; punctuality is important in American business; Being late is a sign of disrespect。

C:谢谢,Mary! 今天又学会一个词 — punc-punctua-punctuality! punctuality!