礼节美语 028 The Businessman's socks

陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他上班中间休息，跟美国同事Amy一起下楼喝茶。

(Office ambience)

C：Amy, 你干嘛老看我的脚啊？

A：I'm sorry. I just couldn't help noticing that you aren't wearing socks today.

C：天儿太热了，不穿袜子还凉快点儿。

A：Personally, that might be all right, but professionally that's a bad decision.

C：为什么？我见过很多人上班都不穿袜子的。

A：However, at ABC Company, professional dress is important for our corporate image.

C：我上班穿西装，打领带，这还不够吗？

A：No. Would you consider not wearing a shirt with your coat and tie?

C：我当然不会光着膀子穿西装打领带了。

A：Then you shouldn't consider wearing your shoes without socks. If your boss Mr. Jones sees you, he will not be pleased.

C：那可坏了。我可我没带袜子。这怎么办呀？

A：Avoid Mr. Jones at all cost. Then buy some socks when you go out for lunch today. There's a department store right around the corner.

C：你说得对，我得先躲着点儿老板，中午吃饭的时候赶紧去商店买袜子穿上。I will see you later.

******

MC：午饭后，陈豪找到Amy.

A：Chen Hao, did you find any socks?

C：我正准备穿上呢！天儿热，所以我买了两双白袜子，起码比深颜色的袜子凉快点儿。

A：Oh dear.

C：怎么了？

A：White socks are inappropriate for corporate dress. They are more for athletic wear and outdoor attire.

C：啊？白袜子是跑步打球穿的，不是上班穿的。怎么这么多讲究呀！好在我还买了一双深色的。服务员一直向我推销高腰儿的，就是可以拉到小腿肚儿上来的那一种。我觉得太热，没买。

A：Oh dear.

C：又怎么了？

A：You should have listened to the salesman. Short socks just won't do in the business environment.

C：那为什么？

A：It's because when you sit down and cross your legs in short socks, you expose everyone around you to the sight of your hairy legs.

C：Amy, 我从来没想到穿袜子还有这么多讲究。

A：Your business attire is extremely important "right down to your socks".

C：这么说，我穿成什么样儿也会影响到公司形象了。看来我下班还得再去买袜子，Amy，你陪我去吧，完了事儿我请你吃饭。

A：Thank you. I'll look forward to that.

C：Amy，你能不能再告诉我一下上班要穿什么样的袜子。这样我心里就有数了。

A：Avoid white socks and short socks. The right sock in business is the one that covers your calf and matches your shoes and pants.