商务礼节美语第121期:同事请你做推荐人

　　When a Colleague Requests a Reference¹
同事请你做推荐人
陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他在餐厅里找到美国同Amy 。
(Office ambience)
A: Hello Chen Hao. How are you?
C: 还行。不过，我有点事想征求一下你的意见。
A: What is it?
C: 你认识我们办公室的Sue²吗？
A: I've worked on a couple of projects with her. Why?
C: 我告诉你，你可得保密，Sue正在找工作。
A: Why is that a problem?
C: 她让我做她的推荐人。
A: That bothers you?
C: Sue工作不是很靠谱，推荐她，那不等于说瞎话嘛！
A: What did you say when she came to you?
C: 我没直接回答她。我说那份新工作听上去是个不错的机会，然后就假称要开会，逃掉了。
A: I have a couple of suggestions for you.
C: 太好了，你快告诉我。我今天一天都躲躲藏藏的，生怕遇到Sue。
A: Let's sit down over there.
两人坐下，边吃边聊。
C: Amy，你快说说，我该怎么办。
A: Sue must have some positive traits³ or she wouldn't be working here.
C: 优点肯定是有，不过我得仔细想想。
A: I suggest that you make a list of her strengths.
C: 可她的缺点要比优点多得多。
A: Try not to focus on her shortcomings, but list them out, too. You can call them areas where she needs to grow.
C: 需要改进的地方？那人家给我打电话，了解Sue的情况，我该怎么说呢？
A: You begin by saying that she is a good team player, but could benefit from the opportunity to work independently and grow professionally. That makes you honest.
C: 有道理，我就说她很容易相处，但是如果有一个独立工作，需要精湛技能的机会，将对她有帮助。可是Amy,我怎么才能不去提她的缺点呢？
A: Let the interviewer know that you have worked with Sue on a limited basis so you can only speak about your experience on the team.
C: 就说，跟Sue共事机会不多，有些情况没有发言权。Amy，我有个更简单的办法，要不我这段时间干脆不接电话了，留言也不回。
A: That's cowardly. Besides it will reflect poorly on you.
C: 要这么说，不回电子邮件也行不通了。
A: You have another choice. You can tell Sue that you aren't comfortable in giving references⁴ to her because you are afraid of saying the wrong thing.
C: 这样好。我就说自己英语不好，搞不好词不达意，再说错了话。
A: It is difficult when a colleague who is not a good worker asks you for a reference.
C: 你能在重复一遍，我都有哪些选择吗？
A: If you agree to be a reference, rehearse what you plan to say. Don't allow yourself to be drawn⁵ into areas where you are not comfortable.

1 reference   

n.提到，说到，暗示，查看，查阅

参考例句：

• We spent days going through all related reference material.我们花了好多天功夫查阅所有有关的参考资料。
• I like to have my reference books within my reach.我喜欢把参考书放到伸手可取的地方。

2 sue   

vt.控告，起诉；vi.请求，追求，起诉

参考例句：

• If you don't pay me the money,I'll sue you.如果你不付给我钱，我就告你。
• The war criminals sue for peace.战犯求和。

3 traits   

n.人的个性，显著的特点，特征( trait的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• We do not know which behavioural traits are inherited and which acquired. 我们不知道哪些行为特征是遗传的，哪些是后天养成的。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• His generosity is one of his good traits. 慷慨大方是他的好品质之一。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 references   

n.参考( reference的名词复数 )；证明书；（为方便查询所用的）标记；（帮助或意见的）征求

参考例句：

• Applications with a full curriculum vitae and two references should reach the Principal by June 12th. 申请书连同完整个人简历和两份推荐信必须在6月12日以前送达校长处。
• The book is full of references to growing up in India. 这本书谈到许多在印度怎样长大成人的事。

5 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。