Robert兩年前開始打高爾夫球,在球場上積累了不少商業(yè)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(tǒng),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(jīng)驗豐富的老手一起打球。在這里,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(jīng)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 喜歡什么運動項目,Mark說自己上高中的時候曾經(jīng)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們可不愿意get too sweaty 出一身臭汗。Robert 問Mark 愿不愿意 try his hand at golf 試著學打高爾夫球。to try one's hand at something 是嘗試的意思。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。