【新唐人2013年02月27日訊】 (美国之音電)
- 禮節美語-239-Taking-up-Golf-2
Robert兩年前開始打高爾夫球，在球場上積纍了不少商業界的人脈。同事Mark問他：
Mark: But how can you play with people who’ve been golfing for 20 years? Isn’t it embarrassing?
R: Golf has a system called “handicapping" and the system does its best to level out the differences in skill. It’s quite common for a novice to play alongside a more experienced golfer.
M: That’s interesting. I read an article once that says you can tell a lot about a person’s management style by how they play golf. Do you agree with that?
R: Actually, yes. Say for example you hit your ball into a sand trap…the way you react to that demonstrates a great deal about your character.
Robert告訴Mark, 打高爾夫球有所謂的 handicapping system 差點系統，能 level out the differences in skill 平衡不同選手的水平，讓水平相對較差的新手novice能play alongside a more experienced golfer. 跟經驗豐富的老手一起打球。在這裡，新手novice還可以用rookie來代替。Robert說，從球風還能看出一個人的管理風格。
M: So the executives on the golf course are all sort of sizing each other up?
R: Absolutely. So what about you? Do you play any sports?
M: I was on the ping-pong team in high school. Ping-pong suits my temperament. It requires high concentration and quick decision-making skills. Unfortunately, ping-pong is not a game of choice for most business executives.
R: Yeah…I don’t think CEOs like to get too sweaty. Are you interested in trying your hand at golf?
M: I thing I might be. Do I have to purchase a set of golf clubs to begin with?
既然從球風能看出一個人的經營管理風格，那球場上的公司主管們自然都會 size each other up 相互打量，彼此觀察。Robert 問Mark 喜歡甚麼運動項目，Mark說自己上高中的時候曾經打過乒乓球，因為 It suits my temperament. 乒乓球適合我的性情。temperament is spelled t-e-m-p-e-r-a-m-e-n-t, temperament 是性格，性情的意思，可惜的是，乒乓球不是商界高層喜愛的運動， not a game of choice.
Robert表示同意，因為公司CEO們可不願意get too sweaty 出一身臭汗。Robert 問Mark 願不願意 try his hand at golf 試著學打高爾夫球。to try one’s hand at something 是嚐試的意思。Mark問Robert要不要事先準備一套球桿。Robert回答說：
R: Not in the beginning. I’ll tell you what, let’s go out to the club and hit a few balls next Saturday morning. Who knows? You might get addicted.
M: And like you said, playing golf is a good chance to expand my business networks.
R: It certain is. Well, I’ve got to take off. How does 7:30 next Saturday morning work for you?
M: Sounds great! Thanks, Robert.
R: Not at all. I’ll see you next week.
Robert告訴Mark, 先不用置備球桿，可以先去球場打幾個球試試手。Who knows? You might get addicted. 意思是說不定你一下子就會上癮呢。兩人分手前，約好下星期六早上7點半一起去打球。
