商务礼节美语第181期:Social Networking 社交关系 (上)

　　Brad和Pam邀请同事Jimmy下班后一起去酒吧，可Jimmy一再推辞，我们听听为什么。
Brad: Hey Jimmy, a couple of us are going out to Sam's Bar after work. Care to join us?
Jimmy: Oh, um...thanks for the invitation, but I'm pretty tired. I think I'll take a rain check.
Pam: But you took a rain check last time!
J: Yeah, I know. I'm just not so fond of bars.
Brad说他们几个人下班准备一起去酒吧，问Jimmy要不要一起来，'Care to join us?' Jimmy推辞说很累，还说I'll take a rain check. 意思是这次算了，改天吧。比如说，朋友约你去逛街，可你已经说好跟男朋友吃饭，就可以说I'll take a rain check. 下次吧！
P: Well, how about joining the company picnic next Saturday? We're playing beach volleyball and you could join our team! Come on! It'll be fun!
J: Um...you're so kind, but...I'm really not sure if I'll be able to make it.
B: Hey! I've got the perfect idea! We're making plans for a dinner appointment with all the department heads this Sunday...you should definitely¹ come!
Pam不肯放弃，问Jimmy要不要参加下星期六的公司野餐，company picnic, 还可以加入他们的沙滩排球队。 Jimmy再次推辞，说自己可能去不了。I'm really not sure if I'll be able to make it. 这里说的to make it就是参加、出席的意思。比如说，朋友请你参加生日派对，可你那天已经有了安排，你就可以说I'll try to make it. 我一定争取来。
J: Uh...guys, I really appreciate what your trying to do, and I don't mean to be a wallflower. I'm just a bit shy. Plus, I really don't like loud bars or clubs.
B: Let me tell you a secret. I hate bars and clubs too! But, I know that going out and being seen is a big part of networking.
J: You mean like on a computer?
P: No, Brad means² social networking.
B: Basically³, it means going out and meeting people. It really can mean the difference between success and being stuck at a career dead-end.
Jimmy知道Brad和Pam的好意，说自己I don't mean to be a wallflower. 这里所说的wallflower壁花，指的是因为天性腼腆，或是不招人喜欢、所以很不合群的人。Jimmy承认，自己不愿意参加这些活动，主要是因为害羞。
Brad马上说，其实他也很讨厌酒吧、夜总会这种地方，但是I know that going out and being seen is a big part of social networking. 经常出去，跟人接触是建立社交关系网的一个重要部分。这里所说的的social networking, 就是多结识一些人，扩大社交关系圈子。
Social networking对事业发展很重要，可能会决定一个人的成功，还是, being stuck at a career dead-end在事业上走进死胡同。

1 definitely   

adv.一定地，肯定地；明确地，确切地

参考例句：

• The team will definitely lose if he doesn't play.如果他不参加比赛，这个队肯定会输。
• I shall definitely be home before six o'clock.6点以前，我一定回家。

2 means   

n.方法，手段，折中点，物质财富

参考例句：

• That man used artful means to find out secrets.那人使用狡猾的手段获取机密。
• We must get it done by some means or other.我们总得想办法把它干完。

3 basically   

adv.基本上，从根本上说

参考例句：

• His heart is basically sound.他的心脏基本上健康。
• Basically I agree with your plan.我基本上同意你的计划。