michael: nice to meet you. how do you do?
billy: fine, the pleasure is all mine.
michael: you are too kind.
billy: you might change your mind about that after i tell you why i am here.
michael: well, why are you here?
billy: i have come to teach you how to fire someone.
michael: great, i like to fire people.
billy: really?
michael: you bet.
billy: one day you might be the one who gets fired.
michael: just teach me the new words, i want to fire someone this afternoon. now this is fun business english.
迈克尔：见到你很高兴。你好吗？
比利：很好，很高兴见到你。
迈克尔：你真好。
比利：我告诉你我为什么来这，你就不会这么说了。
迈克尔：那你有何贵干呀？
比利：我来教你怎么解雇人。
迈克尔：太好了，我喜欢解雇人。
比利：真的吗？
迈克尔：真的。
比利：有一天你也可能被解雇。
迈克尔：先教我一些新词儿，今天下午我就想解雇一个人。这倒是很有意思的商务英语。
new words 新单词
1) bankrupt（破产）: no money
many poorly run internet companies are going bankrupt in the usa.
在美国很多经营不善的网络公司都濒临破产。
2) change your mind（改变主意）: alter your opinion, think something new
i used to like the red dress the best, but i have changed my mind. now i like the blue one.
我以前喜欢红色衣服，但现在改喜欢兰色了。
3) fired（被解雇了）: lose your job, get kicked out
my boss fired three people this week. i hope he doesn't fire me too.
我老板这星期解雇了三个人，希望不要轮到我头上。
4) laid-off（下岗）: let go of a job because there is not enough money
my company is going bankrupt, so they will lay-off ten workers.
我们公司快破产了，他们会让十个人下岗。
5) unsatisfactory（不令人满意的）: sub-standard, poor work
your work is still unsatisfactory, you're fired!
你的工作表现还是很糟糕，你被解雇了。
lesson 课文
1) firing or laying someone off is a serious step. however, getting fired is much more common in the west than in china. most people in the usa change their jobs every two years. about one-third of those who change their jobs are fired or laid-off.
1）解雇或让某人下岗是一项严肃的举措。然而，被解雇的现象在西方国家比在中国普遍多了。在美国大多数人每两年换一次工作，其中大约三分之一的人是被炒掉或下岗的。
2) there are polite ways and rude ways, to use when one is angry at sub-standard work, to fire or lay someone off.
a) polite ways to fire someone
* your work is unsatisfactory. i am sorry, we are going to have to let you go.
* that was your third strike, your last chance. it is best for everyone if you go find a new job.
b) rude ways to fire someone
* you're fired, get out.
* hit the road jack, and don't come back.
* you're gone, buddy.
* don't let the door hit you in the butt on the way out.
* don't call us, we'll call you.
(note* these can be used to fire your girlfriend or boyfriend too.)
2) 对糟糕的工作表示不满或解雇某人时,有人很委婉也有人很粗暴。
a) 委婉地解雇某人
* 你的工作表现不是很令人满意。很遗憾,我们不得不让你走。
* 这已是你第三次表现这么差了,你失去了最后的机会。如果你能找一份新工作对大家都会好一点。
b) 粗暴地解雇某人
* 你被解雇了，滚出去。
* 开路吧。杰克。永远别回来。
* 你完了。伙计。
* 出去的时候别让门夹了你的屁股。
* 别再打电话来。
（注：这些话也可用“解雇”你的女友或男友。）
3) people who are laid-off because of money problems at their company will usually get a third of their salary even though they don't work.
因为公司的资金问题而下岗的人，即使他们不工作通常也会得到1/3的工资。
4) i hope you never have to use these new words, or never hear them used on you!
我希望你永远也不要用这些新词，或永远也不要听到别人对你说。
diologue
gordon: nice to meet you. how do you do?
molly : fine, the pleasure is all mine.
gordon: you are too kind.
molly : you might change your mind about that after i tell you why i am here.
gordon: well, why are you here?
molly : the boss sent me here to tell you that you are fired.
gordon: me fired? why?
molly : the boss said he gave you two warnings about your unsatisfactory work.
gordon: i see. are you sure i can't change the boss's mind?
molly : he said your last poorly written report was your third strike. three strikes and you're out.
gordon: i understand. thanks for telling me in a polite way.
molly : good luck finding a new job.
对话
戈登：见到你很高兴，你好吗？
莫莉：很好。很高兴见到你。
戈登：你真好。
莫莉：我告诉你来的目的你就不会这么说了。
戈登：那你有何贵干呀？
莫莉：老板让我来告诉你你被解雇了。
戈登：我被解雇了，为什么？
莫莉：老板说对你的工作表现有两点警告。
戈登：我知道了。你肯定我不能改变老板的主意了吗？
莫莉：他说你上次写的报告很差，这已经是你第三次表现这么差了，所以你得走了。
戈登：我明白，谢谢你用这么委婉地告诉我。
莫莉：希望你找新工作时有好运。
quiz (小测验).
现在，我们来进行一个很有趣的测试，看看你学到了多少。
1) if your company is going bankrupt, you could be:
a) laid off
b) fired
c) asked to work for a third of your pay
d) work for free
2) three strikes and you're out, means:
a) three chances then, three more
b) you only get three chances to fire someone
c) if you make three mistakes, you are out
d) you are hired
3) to alter the opinion of a worker is to:
a) lay him off
b) change his mind
c) change his job
d) alter is face
4) the word "sub" can mean
a) less than
b) more than
c) enough
d) not small enough
5) the phrase, "nice to meet you," can be used:
a) anytime
b) the first time you meet
c) with an old friend
d) only with someone you are going to fire.
==============================
answers: 1.a 2.c 3.b 4.a 5.b
==============================