陳豪在北京的ABC美國公司工作。他今天在走廊里遇到了美國同事Amy。
(Office ambience)
A:Chen Hao, you look pleased about something. What is it?
C:我剛才發(fā)現(xiàn)電話上有個叫speaker的鍵,只要按下去,就不用再拿著話筒說話了。
A:It is called a speaker or speaker phone, 中文可能是叫免提功能。
C:這真是太方便了。我可以一邊打電話,一邊干別的事。
A:Speakerphone is a great convenience, but you need to be careful about when and how you use it.
C:不能隨時用嗎?
A:You need to consider whether the person to whom you are speaking is comfortable being placed on speaker phone.
C:這跟他們有什么關系???
A:Because it is like broadcasting your entire call to other people who might be listening.
C:Broadcast?我還是不太明白。
A:When you place someone on speaker, anyone passing by or in close proximity can hear both sides of the conversation.
C:對呀,那又怎么了?
A:The person on the other end may not be comfortable with other people overhearing what he is saying, especially if he isn't aware that he is on speaker.
C:噢,你是說對方可能不想讓別人聽見他跟我說些什么。
A:Exactly. Always ask permission before putting people on speaker phone.
C:謝謝你的忠告,免得我得罪人。
******
下午下班得時候,Amy又遇到了陳豪。
A:Chen Hao, how was your day?
C:還記得我們說的speaker phone嗎?有個客戶打電話給我問資料,我就問他能不能把電話放在speakerphone上,這樣我就可以一邊找資料,一邊跟他通話了。
A:What did he say?
C:他說沒問題,還謝謝我征求他的意見。可是我隔壁的Joe很不高興,因為我們的談話干擾了他的工作。
A:That is another point you need to be aware of regarding speaker phones. Using them in your cubicle when others are working in adjacent cubicles is inconsiderate.
C:既然有這么多限制,那這種功能不是白費了嗎?
A:You can use it, just be thoughtful. Another reason that people use speaker phones is to be able to have a conversation or phone meeting when everyone involved cannot be present physically.
C:就是說,銷售部主任正好出差,而咱們倆要是用一個電話跟他開電話會議就可以用speaker phone了吧?
A:Yes, with speaker phones, not everyone has to be in the same room to have a meeting.
C:Amy,你再提醒我一遍,什么時候該用speaker phone, 什么時候不該用?行嗎?
A:It's really simple. Don't put people on speaker phone without asking permission and don't use speaker phone when it may disturb others.
C:好,我記住了。