一起聽英語 224 如何應對來自工作的壓力

工作中的壓力很大，如何應對呢?

Feifei: Hello! I’m Feifei and welcome to another episode of 6 Minute

English! In today’s programme we’re talking about stress, and here

with me in the studio today is the very lovely Neil. How are you

today Neil, not too stressed I hope?

Neil: You know me Feifei, always cool as a cucumber!

Feifei: Ha! Yes, I do. I’m pleased to hear it and have you brought a stressrelated

business fact to talk about?

Neil: I have. It’s a report from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and

Development here in the UK. Apparently up to 50% of employers

are saying that stress-related absence from work has gone up.

Feifei: Really? We’re losing more and more work time due to stress?!

Neil: Yes Feifei, so don’t stress me out or I’ll be going home before we

get to the end of the programme…

Feifei: I’ll do my best to be nice to you Neil.

Neil: Good, because sometimes, you know, things get a bit too much for

me and -

Feifei: So Neil, if it’s not too personal a question, what do you do to reduce

your stress levels at work?

Neil: Well, I always deal with problems with colleagues face-to-face

before things get too serious.

Feifei: Problems with colleagues? Neil you are such a lovely person - I

can’t imagine you having problems with colleagues…

Neil: I know it’s hard to believe, isn’t it? But it’s the best way, person to

person, face to face... you just have to choose your words carefully,

especially when you’re asking personal or sensitive questions.

Feifei: I think we need to ask Business Betty to tell us more.

Neil: And here she is!

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Neil / FF: It’s Business Betty!

Neil: It’s good to see you Betty, looking stunning as always.

BB: Thanks. What can I help you with today?

Feifei: Can you give us some advice on asking personal questions Betty?

BB: I’d be very happy to Feifei. I’m going to start with a cultural tip.

Generally speaking, it’s OK to ask personal questions in British

culture, when the situation is right and when you choose your

words carefully. Now, when asking personal questions, the first

thing to do is to give a warning that you’re going to talk about

something personal. You could say something like: ‘I wanted to talk

to you about a personal matter. Is that OK with you?’

Feifei: I wanted to talk to you about a personal matter. Is that OK with

you?

BB: That’s a very good way to start, Feifei. And to introduce a personal

question, you can say: ‘If you don’t mind me asking…’

Feifei: If you don’t mind me asking, have you been feeling stressed at all?

BB: Well done. Another useful phrase to use either before or after a

personal question is ‘If it’s not too personal a question.’

Feifei: If it’s not too personal a question, is everything alright at home?

BB: Good one! And finally, a really easy one, just say ‘May I ask…’ and

then say what you want to know.

Feifei: May I ask what the problem was?

BB: Good! So to sum up: first give a warning, and then use phrases like

‘If you don’t mind me asking’, ‘If it’s not too personal a question’,

and ‘May I ask?’ So Feifei and Neil, how’s that?

Feifei: That’s great - thanks Betty!

Neil: Thank you Betty!

BB: You’re welcome. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way. Bye!

Neil / FF: Bye!

Neil: She’s a wonderful woman, Business Betty!

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Feifei: She really is.

Neil: I think it’s time for our role-play.

Feifei: So do I. I think it’s coming…

Neil: Yes, and do you know what that means? It means it’s my turn to

be the boss.

Feifei: No it’s not, it’s my turn.

Neil: It was your turn last time, it’s always your turn to be the boss.

Feifei: No, it wasn’t. It’s my turn this time. Let’s start, are you ready?

Neil: Bossy! Bossy equals boss!

Role-play

Feifei: Come in! Ahhh, Neil! Come in and sit down. What can I do for you

today?

Neil: Well actually, you asked to see me.

Feifei: Did I? Oh yes, that’s right, yes I did. OK, Neil I wanted to talk to

you about a personal matter. Is that OK with you?

Neil: OK…

Feifei: Well, I’ve noticed that you’ve been looking a bit worried lately. So if

you don’t mind me asking, have you been feeling stressed at all?

Neil: No, not really.

Feifei: Oh good. Because the thing is, the other day you looked a bit

upset. If it’s not too personal a question, is everything alright at

home?

Neil: At home, well, we did have a problem last week, but it’s OK now.

Feifei: Oh good, good. May I ask what the problem was?

Neil: Oh my daughter’s goldfish died. She was quite upset, but she’s OK,

we are pulling through.

Feifei: Good, good, well if it happens again you will let me know, won’t

you?

Neil: Yes of course. Thank you.

Feifei: You’re welcome.

Feifei: OK Neil, that was today’s role-play. How did I do?

Neil: That was pretty good! You’re not bad actually.

Feifei: I told you I would be!

Feifei: That’s it for today’s topic. May I ask if you enjoyed the programme?

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Neil: I enjoyed it very much! It’s been good and not at all stressful.

Feifei: So you won’t be taking any time off work because of stress?

Neil: No, I don’t think so.

Feifei: Good! Join us again for another episode of 6 Minute English.

Neil / FF: Bye!