(Office ambience)

 

陈：(很着急地)Hey, Mary，快，我有事问你。

 

M：What's the matter?

 

陈: 老板的秘书通知我老板过一会要找我谈话，可说的话我没听懂，说是为了什么punc...punc... 那个词我不知道...

 

M: Punctual?

 

陈：对，有点像，不过那个词最后的音好像是什么ty 来了。

 

M：Punctuality?

 

陈：Yes, yes. Punctuality. Punctuality是什么意思呀？哟，不好了，时间到了，我得去了。

 

(Sound of knocking on the door; opening the door)

 

Mr. Jones: Mr. Chen, it has been brought to my attention that you are frequently late for meetings. I want you to know that punctuality is important in American business and in our company too.

 

C: Sorry, Mr. Jones, I am not sure I understand. What exactly do you mean by punc... punctuality?

 

Mr. Jones: Punctuality simply means being on time. If a meeting is scheduled for one o'clock, everyone is expected to be in the meeting room and ready to start.

 

C: (自语：噢，开会要准时！) Mr. Jones, now I understand. I'll be on time for meetings from now on.

 

Ms. Jones: Good.

 

(Sound of pushing chairs and walking)

 

M: 嗨，陈豪，刚才我要告诉你 punctuality就是准时，你匆忙走了，大概没有听见。哎，老板找你干什么呀？

 

C：他批评我开会不准时。他不懂，可我又没法和老板争。你知道有的时候我专心工作忘了时间！

 

M. 那不行，上星期开会讨论财务，可数据全在你手上。你不到，会没法开。There's no way to have the meeting without you，所以你浪费了大家的时间。Being late is a sign of disrespect。

 

C: 我不是有意没礼貌，有的时候是没法控制的。那天我刚要去开会，电话铃响了。

 

M：That's simple. Don't answer it。 打电话的人要是有重要事情他会留言。你开完会可以打回电。

 

陈：还有一次，开会的时间到了，可是一个客户来看我。我总不能不见吧？

 

M：实在没有办法的时候，inform others that you are delayed。这样别人就会觉得你是尊重他们的。

 

陈：行，知道了。哎，Mary，你再给我总结一下吧，免得我忘了。

 

M：Punctuality simply means being on time; punctuality is important in American business; Being late is a sign of disrespect。

 

C：谢谢，Mary! 今天又学会一个词 -- punc-punctua-punctuality! punctuality!