陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他上班中间休息,跟美国同事Amy一起下楼喝茶。

(Office ambience)

C:Amy, 你干嘛老看我的脚啊?

A:I’m sorry. I just couldn’t help noticing that you aren’t wearing socks today.

C:天儿太热了,不穿袜子还凉快点儿。

A:Personally, that might be all right, but professionally that’s a bad decision.

C:为什么?我见过很多人上班都不穿袜子的。

A:However, at ABC Company, professional dress is important for our corporate image.

C:我上班穿西装,打领带,这还不够吗?

A:No. Would you consider not wearing a shirt with your coat and tie?

C:我当然不会光着膀子穿西装打领带了。

A:Then you shouldn’t consider wearing your shoes without socks. If your boss Mr. Jones sees you, he will not be pleased.

C:那可坏了。我可我没带袜子。这怎么办呀?

A:Avoid Mr. Jones at all cost. Then buy some socks when you go out for lunch today. There’s a department store right around the corner.

C:你说得对,我得先躲着点儿老板,中午吃饭的时候赶紧去商店买袜子穿上。I will see you later.

******

MC:午饭后,陈豪找到Amy.

A:Chen Hao, did you find any socks?

C:我正准备穿上呢!天儿热,所以我买了两双白袜子,起码比深颜色的袜子凉快点儿。

A:Oh dear.

C:怎么了?

A:White socks are inappropriate for corporate dress. They are more for athletic wear and outdoor attire.

C:啊?白袜子是跑步打球穿的,不是上班穿的。怎么这么多讲究呀!好在我还买了一双深色的。服务员一直向我推销高腰儿的,就是可以拉到小腿肚儿上来的那一种。我觉得太热,没买。

A:Oh dear.

C:又怎么了?

A:You should have listened to the salesman. Short socks just won’t do in the business environment.

C:那为什么?

A:It’s because when you sit down and cross your legs in short socks, you expose everyone around you to the sight of your hairy legs.

C:Amy, 我从来没想到穿袜子还有这么多讲究。

A:Your business attire is extremely important “right down to your socks”.

C:这么说,我穿成什么样儿也会影响到公司形象了。看来我下班还得再去买袜子,Amy,你陪我去吧,完了事儿我请你吃饭。

A:Thank you. I’ll look forward to that.

C:Amy,你能不能再告诉我一下上班要穿什么样的袜子。这样我心里就有数了。

A:Avoid white socks and short socks. The right sock in business is the one that covers your calf and matches your shoes and pants.