礼节美语---BE-240 Taking up Golf II

Robert两年前开始打高尔夫球，在球场上积累了不少商业界的人脉。同事Mark问他：

Mark: But how can you play with people who've been golfing for 20 years? Isn't it embarrassing?

R: Golf has a system called "handicapping" and the system does its best to level out the differences in skill. It's quite common for a novice to play alongside a more experienced golfer.

M: That's interesting. I read an article once that says you can tell a lot about a person's management style by how they play golf. Do you agree with that?

R: Actually, yes. Say for example you hit your ball into a sand trap...the way you react to that demonstrates a great deal about your character.

Robert告诉Mark, 打高尔夫球有所谓的 handicapping system 差点系统，能 level out the differences in skill 平衡不同选手的水平，让水平相对较差的新手novice能play alongside a more experienced golfer. 跟经验丰富的老手一起打球。在这里，新手novice还可以用rookie来代替。Robert说，从球风还能看出一个人的管理风格。

M: So the executives on the golf course are all sort of sizing each other up?

R: Absolutely. So what about you? Do you play any sports?

M: I was on the ping-pong team in high school. Ping-pong suits my temperament. It requires high concentration and quick decision-making skills. Unfortunately, ping-pong is not a game of choice for most business executives.

R: Yeah...I don't think CEOs like to get too sweaty. Are you interested in trying your hand at golf?

M: I thing I might be. Do I have to purchase a set of golf clubs to begin with?

既然从球风，能看出一个人的经营管理风格，那球场上的公司主管们自然都会 size each other up 相互打量，彼此观察。Robert 问Mark 喜欢什么运动项目，Mark说自己上高中的时候曾经打过乒乓球，因为 It suits my temperament. 乒乓球适合我的性情。temperament is spelled t-e-m-p-e-r-a-m-e-n-t, temperament 是性格，性情的意思，可惜的是，乒乓球不是商界高层喜爱的运动， not a game of choice. Robert表示同意，因为公司CEO们可不愿意get too sweaty 出一身臭汗。Robert 问Mark 愿不愿意 try his hand at golf 试着学打高尔夫球。to try one's hand at something 是尝试的意思。Mark问Robert要不要事先准备一套球杆。Robert回答说：

R: Not in the beginning. I'll tell you what, let's go out to the club and hit a few balls next Saturday morning. Who knows? You might get addicted.

M: And like you said, playing golf is a good chance to expand my business networks.

R: It certain is. Well, I've got to take off. How does 7:30 next Saturday morning work for you?

M: Sounds great! Thanks, Robert.

R: Not at all. I'll see you next week.

Robert告诉Mark, 先不用置备球杆，可以先去球场打几个球试试手。Who knows? You might get addicted. 意思是说不定你一下子就会上瘾呢。两人分手前，约好下星期六早上7点半一起去打球。

A: 原来那些商业主管会在打高尔夫的时候size each other up 彼此观察呢!连运动的时候都不能闲着，这些老板们也是真累。

B: That's the price you have to pay if you want to be successful in business!

A: 哎呦，看来我真不是当有钱人的材料喽!

B: 哈哈，别泄气嘛杨琳! You can be successful in your own field!

A： 借你吉言喽!好了，上面Robert和Mark约好要去打高尔夫，下面我们要来教教大家如果其中一个人爽约要怎么说!

Jessica 在北京学汉语，她的中国朋友要是遇到了不知道用美语怎么说的词，就会来请教她。今天是庄明要问的：放鸽子

Jessica：哟，庄明，你干嘛气冲冲的?

ZM: 今天真倒霉! 我刚让人放鸽子了!

Jessica: 鸽子?Pigeon? I don't get it.

ZM: 放鸽子，就是你和别人约好，结果对方却没来! 诶?美语里这个该怎么说?

Jessica: Oh! You mean you arranged to meet someone, but the person was a no-show!

ZM: No-show? 把 no 和 s-h-o-w “show” 放在一起，no-show，就是“没来，爽约”。

Jessica: Yes! But Zhuang Ming, who was this no-show? Your boyfriend?

ZM: 嗯....怎么说呢。我约好去见一个从来没见过面的男生，是别人介绍的，就算是相亲吧!

Jessica: 噢，我明白了! You went on a blind date!

ZM: blind 后面加上 date--约会，blind date， 就是相亲吗?

Jessica: Yes! if your friend set you up with someone you've never met before, that's called a blind date. Blind dates usually end up bad.

ZM: 可不是么! 就说我今天这个相亲对象吧，直接放我鸽子，害我白等。

Jessica: In this case, Zhuang Ming, you say "I got stood up"! 我被人放了鸽子。

ZM: stood up 不是“站起来”的意思么?我可没一直站着傻等啊!

Jessica: No. If you "stand someone up", you fail to show up at a date.

ZM: 哦! 不去约会，放别人鸽子，就可以说 stand someone up。而我是被放鸽子，所以你说我--got stood up!

Jessica: That's right! 我也常被放鸽子! Last month, I had a date with a really cute guy, but he stood me up! 唉，也别生气了，还是说说你今天都学了什么吧!

ZM: 第一，“爽约，没来”，可以说 no-show;

第二，放别人鸽子，可以说 stand someone up;

第三，“相亲”可以说 blind date!

这次的 “美语怎么说” 就到这里了。如果你也有不会说的词，请写信给Jessica, 电邮请寄meiyu@voanews.com

A: 原来相亲是Blind date! What're your thoughts on blind dates, Kat?

B: 我不介意认识新朋友，you can start with friendship and see where things go!

A: Kat, 其实我朋友Matthew一直想认识你! Let me set you guys up!

B: Haha, again, I don't mind another friend!

A: It's a date! 好的同学们，这次的节目时间就到这里。如果你对我们的节目有什么建议，或者你有任何问题和评价，请发电子邮件到meiyu@voanews.com

B: Don't forget to tune in next time for American English Mosaic! Bye bye!

A: See you later!