Как вести беседу по телефону
Шрифт:
Charles: Oh, dear I am a dead loss [68] , aren’t I. But tell me about the advert.
Joan: It said that this hotel was right on the beach, and that’s essential as far as we’re concerned, because the kids are really only interested in scrabbling [69] in the sand and popping into [70] the sea every five minutes, so we must be close to it-the closer the better.
68
a dead loss: someone or something completely useless
69
scrabbling: combines the notions of crawling in and scratching about in (копаться, рыться)
70
popping into: going into. The implication is that it would only be for a short time. “Pop in” is also used of an informal visit, e. g. “If you happen to be passing just pop in and see me, please”.
Charles: I know just how it is [71] .
Joan: And all the rooms have balconies facing the sea and overlooking the beach so it should be possible for mum and dad [72] to keep half an eye on [73] the kids while they’re playing and manage a quiet snooze at the same time occasionally.
Charles: Sounds too good to be true [74] . Expensive?
71
I know just how it is: a phrase used to express concern and sympathetic understanding
72
mum and dad: the speaker’s way of referrring to herself and her husband
73
keep half an eye on: pay some attention to
74
too good to be true: a fixed phrase (так
Joan: Rather. But still the prices were a bit lower than in any of the other adverts I’ve seen, and yet the facilities were as good or even better. You know, even allowing for [75] a bit of exaggeration in the advert, it seemed to have a lot to offer [76] .
Charles: Had it?
Joan: Oh, yes. And the food is good — according to the advert, again — but they’re bound to say that.
75
allowing for: taking into account
76
a lot to offer: a fixed phrase often used for referring to something which has a number of desirable features
Charles: Of course. The only way to find out for certain is to go and try it. And that’s taking rather a risk. I tell you what [77] , though. It’s just occurred to me — Mr and Mrs Croft from over the road [78] have been to that part of England several times, and I seem to remember them saying they always use the same hotel.
Joan: Do they?
Charles: Yes. At least I think that’s what they said. I’ll pop around [79] later this evening, and if they do know anything that might be of use to you I’ll get one or the other of them to give you a ring.
77
I tell you what: a colloquial way of introducing a suggestion
78
from over the road: the equivalent in less idiomatic English would be “who live on the other side of the road”
79
pop around: pop into
Joan: Would you? That’s very kind of you. They won’t mind, will they?
Charles: No, of course not. I’m sure they’ll be pleased to help.
Joan: Well, that’s marvellous.
Charles: Did you say something about taking the car?
Joan: Yes. It takes a little longer. But there is no need to rush, because Doug’s got an extra week’s holiday this year.
Charles: Lucky Doug. But isn’t it rather a long drive from Edinburgh — what with the children and the holiday traffic [80] ?
80
what with the children and the holiday traffic: the sense here is that “because of the children and the holiday traffic” the length of the drive will be a problem. This use of “what with” to mean something like “because of, in view of is quite common in conversational English; e.g. “What with doing the housework and the shopping, I never have a moment to spare”.
Joan: Well, strange as it may seem, the kids are very good in the car. And if you go by train or air you don’t see much on the way, you’re sort of insulated from all the lovely places you’re passing.
Charles: Yes, I agree with you.
Joan: But I’m sure you must have better things to do than listen to me rattling on [81] .
Charles: Oh, that’s all right. It’s nice to hear from you. But I will drop in on the Crofts and ask them to phone you. Don’t expect to hear anything until after nine, though, because they’re usually out on Sunday until some time in the evening.
81
rattling on: colloquial for “chattering”
Joan: Well, I shall be around [82] whatever time they ring. Busy getting things ready for school tomorrow. And thanks again, Charles. It really is very kind of you to go to all this trouble.
Charles: No trouble at all. Only too glad [83] to help if I can.
Joan: Well, thanks anyway. Bye-bye, Charles.
Charles: Bye for now, Joan.
82
around: at home; “around the house” meaning “in the house”
83
only too glad: an expressive way of saying “glad”
Joe: Peatley two-seven-one [84] .
Bob: Hello, is that you, Joe?
Joe: Yes.
Bob: Bob here. How’s things? [85]
Joe: Oh, hello, Bob. Fine. How are you?
Bob: О. K. Listen, I’ve decided to apply for that job I was telling you about. You remember?
84
Peatley two-seven-one: although more and more telephone exchanges in Britain are being converted to all-figure numbers, some are still identified by a name
85
How’s things: a colloquial variant of “How are you”
Joe: Yes. I remember. Croydon [86] , wasn’t it? What was it, a car factory?
Bob: No, light engineering. Rather like that place I was at in Leeds.
Joe: Oh yes, of course. Light engineering. I remember now. And it was for a manager, wasn’t it.
Bob: Yes. Personnel Manager.
Joe: Very nice too. Do you feel optimistic about it?
Bob: Well, I wouldn’t say I exactly feel optimistic, but at least my training and experience have put me in with a chance [87] . So perhaps I could say I feel reasonably optimistic about getting short-listed [88] . But the interview — that’s different.
86
Croydon: a suburb of London
87
put me in with a chance: given me a chance
88
short-listed: placed on the “short list” of people who are selected from all the other applicants and given an interview.
Joe: Why, for goodness sake? [89] You’re not scared of interviews, are you?
Bob: No, I’m not scared of them, but I don’t feel at my best in interviews. Not when I’m on the receiving end [90] , that is. I suppose I spend so much of my time interviewing other people that I feel off balance when I’m in the hot seat [91] myself.
Joe: Oh, I shoudn’t worry too much about it if I were you [92] . As you say, the job is absolutely made for you. I shoudn’t think they’ll get many applicants with your qualifications [93] .
89
for goodness sake: a mild exclamation often used to express varying degrees of exasperation
90
on the receiving end: in the position of receiving something
91
in the hot seat: a colloquial metaphor used of any uncomfortable situation
92
I shouldn’t worry too much about it if I were you: this sentence, or something very much like it, is used so often in these circumstances that it amounts almost to a fixed phrase
93
with your qualifications: the sense is that there are unlikely to be many applicants “with such good qualifications”, rather than “with the same qualifications”