実践ビジネス英語 ディクテーション (aired 2/13,14)

こんにちは。実践ビジネス英語Talk the Talkコーナーのディクテーションです。番組の2月前半のテーマは、‘Honing Conversational Skills’（会話術を磨く）でした。
そもそも、この番組のねらいは英語の「雑談力」を上げることだと、杉田先生がどこかのインタビューでおっしゃっていましたが、今回はその雑談力（？）に必要なスキルが話題になりました。”Talk the Talk”では、Heatherさんのネットワーキングイベントでの交流術などが語られます。

Honing Conversational Skills
（S: 杉田敏先生　H: Heather Howardさん）

S: At the beginning of our current vignette, we hear that Umemura’s parents are visiting New York.
Heather, what have your parents particularly enjoyed during their trips to Japan?

H: My mother was an immediate fan of onsen hot springs. She loved soaking in the outdoor baths and sipping hot sake over dinner in our room.
My father liked the bath, too, but he absolutely refused to go in naked with people he didn’t know.
So he would wait until there was no one else in the bath, and then make me stand outside the entrance so I could warn him in case anyone else headed in.

S: Any other humorous moments during their visits?

H: Yes, a lot of them were food-related. My dad picked up a bottle of soy sauce at the onsen we went to and poured a liberal amount over his white rice.
I could see the server start in surprise and then struggle not to laugh.
And when my mother and I ate ramen together, she scolded me for slurping my noodles. I had to explain that it isn’t bad manners in Japan.
My mother also let the water out of the communal bath at the inn we stayed in Kyoto. She was so embarrassed when the proprietress came to our room to ask us very politely to please not do that again.

S: The vignette also touches on Umemura’s effort to be a more effective networker.
Are there any particular things you think are important in this area, Heather?

H: I think using a network properly is just as important as building one. Specifically we shouldn’t network or communicate with our contacts only when we want something.
This is an extreme example, but years ago I got a call from an acquaintance who actually opened the conversation with, “Do you want to go through the motions of making small talk or should I get right to the point?”
I gaped at the receiver for a few seconds and then said, “Fine. What do you want?”
He asked me to help him find a job. I said I didn’t have time and I pretty much hung up on him.
Now, I think most people wouldn’t be that crude, but if we only contact people when we want something from them, we probably end up making a similar impression.
So, I’d say, “network well in advance and stay in touch over the long term.”

S: Breakstone offers Umemura advice about what to do at networking events such as dressing sharply.
What do you take care to do, Heather?

H: Clothes are definitely important. I’d also say “take a special care with one’s hair.” Male or female, the good impression made by a stylish outfit can be completely lost if our hair isn’t neatly done.
Messy hair makes us look careless and sloppy like we’re not good on following through to the end of things.
I’d also recommend investing a nice purse for women and a nice wallet for both women and men.
Even if we only have one that we use every time, a quality bag and wallet help us look professional and successful.

S: The vignette also touches on conversational tactics at networking events. Do you have a go-to line like Umemura does?

H: More than a go-to line, I have a go-to approach. I like to drift up to a small group and listen to their conversation for a while.
I wait until someone says something that peaks my interest and then ask a few questions about it.
After we’ve conversed for a bit, I introduced myself to everyone and shake hands. At that point, someone usually asks me about myself and the conversation goes from there.
If the conversation flags a bit, I like to mention a good book I’ve read recently, and ask if anyone can recommend another one for my next read.

最後までお読みくださり、ありがとうございました。

なお、次回のディクテーション（2/27,28放送）の掲載は28日（土）の予定です。