25/07/2020
外國人經常以 ‘How are you?’, ‘Where are you from?’, 或‘What do you do?’ 展開對話,可惜一般香港人回答時只懂給予簡單答案。這樣,對方或許會覺得你不能放開懷抱,跟你交談也不會聊得盡興。上述三句開場白實在太常見,究竟怎樣回答才能大方得體?
1. ‘How are you?’
回應竅門:可談論多一點自己的健康狀態或者受健康影響的事情。
錯誤例子:Fine.
理想例子:Oh, a bit sleepy. Last night, I had to stay up late to finish my final year project. Actually, I can finish it in the morning. But I think I can get more work done at night because there are fewer interruptions.
有點睡意,昨晚不得不熬夜去完成我的畢業作業。其實我可以在早上完成,但是我認為晚上工作效率更高,因為在晚上較為少干擾。
2. ‘Where are you from?’
回應竅門:假想自己在旅發局工作,思考怎樣宣傳香港。
錯誤例子:Hong Kong.
理想例子:I’m from Hong Kong, an international city with lots of opportunities. If you have a chance, you must visit my hometown. You will then know why I love Hong Kong so much.
我來自香港這個充滿機會的國際城市。如果有機會,你一定要探訪我的故鄉,你便會知道為何我那麼愛香港。
3. ‘What do you do?’
回應竅門:用容易理解的方式去說明工作性質。
錯誤例子:I synthesize organic compounds for assays in testing oncologic treatments.
理想例子:I’m a pharmacologist for a pharmaceutical factory, which means I help to make new drugs that treat people who have cancer.
我是製藥廠的藥理學家,協助製作新藥物去治療癌症病患者。
任何對話的主要竅門都是運用觀察力,在回應時提供有可能發展的話題,這樣就能開啟對話並且將話題延續,雙方在閑聊時也會聊得盡興。