陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作,他在走廊上遇到了美国同事Amy。

(Office ambience)

C:Amy, 你有两分钟时间吗?我有点事儿想请教你。

A:Yes, but let’s step into my office so we don’t disturb anyone else. What is it?

C:今天,信息技术部的一个同事被老板叫去训了一顿,说他整天聊天儿。老板还说,你是来工作的,不是来社交的。

A:I agree. After all, that is what we are paid for and people who misuse company time are wasting company money.

C:可是,我记得你告诉过我,应该跟同事搞好关系。

A:I did. And one of the ways to do that is to engage in small talk or “chit-chat,” as we say. You need to talk to your colleagues about things other than work.

C:聊工作以外的事儿?那我就更糊涂了。可老板说这是浪费工作时间啊。

A:It’s not wasting time if you do it at the appropriate times.

C:那什么才是合适的时间呢?

A:Basically, at the beginning of the day when everyone is getting their tea or coffee and starting to settle in; during breaks and at lunch. The end of the day is another good time to chat.

C:早上上班和中午吃饭的时候还好,可下班前大家都赶着回家,根本没人理我啊。

A:Chen Hao, I know this is important, but can we talk after work? I have a project to complete before the end of the day.

C:那好,一会儿见。

******

MC:陈豪跟Amy同路回家。

C:今天我特别注意了一下,发现很多人上班时间都在聊天。

A:Often people who have just competed a project or an assignment, need a break. They don’t always consider that their colleague may be in the middle of something and doesn’t have time to talk.

C:在这一点上,我自我感觉做得还不错。每次来找你,我都会先问你有没有时间。还有其他什么要注意的吗?

A:Location is important. Pay attention to where you are so that you don’t disturb the people who are working.

C:什么地方才不会干扰到别人呢?

A:A place like the break room or an office with a door will give you privacy as well as prevent others from being distracted by your conversation.

C:还有其他注意事项吗?

A:Yes. We haven’t talked about one of the most important – what you talk about.

C:聊天的内容还有规矩啊!

A:Small talk should not be viewed as a time to get personal and pry into people’s private lives. Nor should it be a time to spread gossip.

C:所以一是不能打听别人的隐私,二是不要散布小道消息。好,我知道了。谢谢你,Amy.