032 The Use of Speaker phone



陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他今天在走廊里遇到了美国同事Amy。

(Office ambience)

A:Chen Hao, you look pleased about something. What is it?

C:我刚才发现电话上有个叫speaker的键,只要按下去,就不用再拿着话筒说话了。

A:It is called a speaker or speaker phone, 中文可能是叫免提功能。

C:这真是太方便了。我可以一边打电话,一边干别的事。

A:Speakerphone is a great convenience, but you need to be careful about when and how you use it.

C:不能随时用吗?

A:You need to consider whether the person to whom you are speaking is comfortable being placed on speaker phone.

C:这跟他们有什么关系啊?

A:Because it is like broadcasting your entire call to other people who might be listening.

C:Broadcast?我还是不太明白。

A:When you place someone on speaker, anyone passing by or in close proximity can hear both sides of the conversation.

C:对呀,那又怎么了?

A:The person on the other end may not be comfortable with other people overhearing what he is saying, especially if he isn't aware that he is on speaker.

C:噢,你是说对方可能不想让别人听见他跟我说些什么。

A:Exactly. Always ask permission before putting people on speaker phone.

C:谢谢你的忠告,免得我得罪人。

******

下午下班得时候,Amy又遇到了陈豪。

A:Chen Hao, how was your day?

C:还记得我们说的speaker phone吗?有个客户打电话给我问资料,我就问他能不能把电话放在speakerphone上,这样我就可以一边找资料,一边跟他通话了。

A:What did he say?

C:他说没问题,还谢谢我征求他的意见。可是我隔壁的Joe很不高兴,因为我们的谈话干扰了他的工作。

A:That is another point you need to be aware of regarding speaker phones. Using them in your cubicle when others are working in adjacent cubicles is inconsiderate.

C:既然有这么多限制,那这种功能不是白费了吗?

A:You can use it, just be thoughtful. Another reason that people use speaker phones is to be able to have a conversation or phone meeting when everyone involved cannot be present physically.

C:就是说,销售部主任正好出差,而咱们俩要是用一个电话跟他开电话会议就可以用speaker phone了吧?

A:Yes, with speaker phones, not everyone has to be in the same room to have a meeting.

C:Amy,你再提醒我一遍,什么时候该用speaker phone, 什么时候不该用?行吗?

A:It's really simple. Don't put people on speaker phone without asking permission and don't use speaker phone when it may disturb others.

C:好,我记住了。