礼节美语

A Relationship at the Office II

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 ramifications. 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 discreet 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。

B: That sounds like a good idea, to let the couples work on different projects. This way it won't be too awkward if the two split.

A: 那我得抓紧时间，去别的办公室寻找帅哥行动开始!

B: All right, day dreaming queen...