商务礼节美语第133期:办公室恋情(下)

　　Sam和Lucinda在公司谈恋爱，被老板Joe找来谈话。Sam和Lucinda保证，两人的恋爱关系不会影响工作。让我们听听老板Joe是怎么说的。
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 ramifications¹. 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说，公司并不一律禁止内部的恋爱关系，a blanket ban一概而论，全部禁止。但他 同时提醒他们，万一两人吹了，该怎么办。Joe说，Break-ups are very common. Break-up意思就是恋爱关系的中断。
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承认，万一两人吹了，会十分尴尬，但是Sam表示，总该有个让恋爱工作两不误的好办法，毕竟大家都是成年人。Joe告诉他们，专家说了，跟同事谈恋爱，首先应该想好 “exit strategy”. 退出战略。
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 discreet² as possible around the office.
Joe所说的exit strategy退出战略，其实就是想好后路的意思，万一吹了，该如何彼此面对。Sam保证说，他和Lucinda一定会尽量注意影响。
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建议说，Sam和Lucinda其中一人不妨考虑换个部门工作。Lucinda再次保证，不会影响工作，Job comes first. 一切以工作为重。谈话结束前，Joe称赞两人处事成熟，Let's just take it from here and see how it goes. 意思是走一步看一步吧。

1 ramifications   

n.结果，后果( ramification的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• These changes are bound to have widespread social ramifications. 这些变化注定会造成许多难以预料的社会后果。
• What are the ramifications of our decision to join the union? 我们决定加入工会会引起哪些后果呢？ 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 discreet   

adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的

参考例句：

• He is very discreet in giving his opinions.发表意见他十分慎重。
• It wasn't discreet of you to ring me up at the office.你打电话到我办公室真是太鲁莽了。