Angličtina na iDNES.czAs phones becomes more and more an integral part of our existence, this means that more and more of our communications with other people are going to take place via using them. This multi-part series covers some basic points for handling phone conversations.
Rules for Phone Conversations
The first “rule of thumb” when speaking on the phone is to make sure that you have a decent and clear connection. While this might seem obvious, never conduct any important discussion on the phone if your connection is bad or if the signal is weak or inconsistent.
When something is important, always give the right importance to it. :-) This is especially true with conversations and where it concerns "dealing" with other people.
Establishing Phone Parameters
Once you have a great signal going and the connection is clear, try to REDUCE the important points of the conversation to what are called binary issues: things such as "yes" or "no" or "right" or "wrong" or "approved" or "not approved".
By structuring your conversations to solicit what is called a black-and-white response (i.e., a "yes" or a "no" answer) it can save you valuable time, helps bring focus and it moves the issues right along. Here’s a conversational example:
John: "OK, Pavel, so you are saying that our financial targets are approved then? Yes or No?"
Pavel: "Yes."
John: "Yes, the financial targets are approved?"
Pavel: "Yes, they are approved."
Notice the two things going on here: 1) There is a deliberate use of "yes" and "no" by both sides to eliminate any chance for misunderstandings; 2) John is making a point to "parrot" or force Pavel to repeat key, important issues. (Part II tomorrow...)
Jokes of the DayAn American tourist is sitting in a Czech pub, drunk, when he asks the female bartender for another beer. Because he is too drunk, his request is refused. So the American tourist leaves. About five minutes later, this same drunk American tourist comes back to the same pub, sits down and orders another beer. “I told you I won’t serve you anymore beer, you are too drunk.” the bartender tells the American, who then leaves. A few minutes later this same American tourist comes back to the same pub and orders a beer. By this time the bartender is angry. "I told you for the last time I won’t serve you anymore beers!" At this point the American looks up at the bartender and asks, "Lady, just how many pubs do you work at?" |
Key Article Words in Englishdecent and clear connection - dobré a čisté spojení |
Najdete ji také v bezplatném deníku Metropolitní expres.
