1. Giving a hand
提供帮助
The young woman at the airline check-in desk meant no harm.
航空公司登机手续办理柜台的年轻女子并无恶意。
She greeted a customer with a question which would be no problem—in Chinese, "What's your problem?"
她用一个在中文里没问题的问题招呼顾客——“你有什么问题？”
But this question is impolite in English, and the customer will become very angry.
但在英语中，这个问题是不礼貌的，顾客会变得非常生气。
In this situation, the young woman should say, "May I help you?" or "How can I help you?"
在这种情况下，年轻女子应该说：“我可以帮您吗？”或者“我该如何帮您？”
Then she would not be facing an unhappy traveler.
这样她就不会面对一位不愉快的旅客了。
2. Making requests
提出请求
Maybe you would like something.
也许你想要某些东西。
Instead of saying "Give me a hamburger," say, "Could I have a hamburger, please?" or "I'd like a hamburger."
与其说“给我一个汉堡”，不如说“请给我一个汉堡好吗？”或者“我想要一个汉堡”。
English speakers often use the expressions "please" and "thank you".
说英语的人经常使用“请”和“谢谢”这些表达方式。
When requesting something, use "Can I" or "Could I".
当请求某物时，使用“我可以吗”或“我能吗”。
In formal situations, "May I" is the best.
在正式场合，“我可以吗”是最好的表达。
3. Offering an opinion
提供意见
When someone asks for your opinion, you don't want to make them feel upset by saying something they think is unkind.
当有人征求你的意见时，你不想因为说出一些他们认为不友善的话而让他们感到难过。
Maybe someone asks, "What do you think of my idea?"
也许有人会问：“你觉得我的主意怎么样？”
Don't say, "It's a terrible idea" if you don't like it.
如果你不喜欢它，不要说“这是一个糟糕的主意”。
Say, "I don't think it's the best idea."
说：“我不认为这是最好的主意。”
Then people will accept your opinion more easily.
这样人们会更容易接受你的意见。
4. Turning down an invitation
拒绝邀请
When you can't accept an invitation, don't say, "I can't. I'm busy."
当你无法接受邀请时，不要说“我不行。我很忙。”
Refuse in a more indirect way, "I'm afraid I can't..." or "I'd love to, but..." or "That sounds great, but..."
用更间接的方式拒绝，“恐怕我不行……”或者“我很想去，但是……”或者“那听起来很棒，但是……”
These phrases soften the message and make it easier to accept.
这些短语软化了信息，使其更容易被接受。
5. Never saying somebody has done wrong
永远不要说别人做错了
Avoid saying others have done wrong.
避免说别人做错了。
Don't say, "You don't understand me."
不要说“你不理解我。”
Say, "Maybe I need to make clear what I mean."
说：“也许我需要把我的意思表达得更清楚些。”
Give special attention to "I" or "we" rather than "you".
特别注意使用“我”或“我们”，而不是“你”。
Take time to learn polite phrasing.
花点时间学习礼貌的措辞。
Then you'll make your communication with people more pleasant.
这样你与人的沟通就会变得更加愉快。
Full Text in English
Giving a hand
The young woman at the airline check-in desk meant no harm. She greeted a customer with a question which would be no problem—in Chinese, "What's your problem?" But this question is impolite in English, and the customer will become very angry. In this situation, the young woman should say, "May I help you?" or "How can I help you?" Then she would not be facing an unhappy traveler.
Making requests
Maybe you would like something. Instead of saying "Give me a hamburger," say, "Could I have a hamburger, please?" or "I'd like a hamburger." English speakers often use the expressions "please" and "thank you". When requesting something, use "Can I" or "Could I". In formal situations, "May I" is the best.
Offering an opinion
When someone asks for your opinion, you don't want to make them feel upset by saying something they think is unkind. Maybe someone asks, "What do you think of my idea?" Don't say, "It's a terrible idea" if you don't like it. Say, "I don't think it's the best idea." Then people will accept your opinion more easily.
Turning down an invitation
When you can't accept an invitation, don't say, "I can't. I'm busy." Refuse in a more indirect way, "I'm afraid I can't..." or "I'd love to, but..." or "That sounds great, but..." These phrases soften the message and make it easier to accept.
Never saying somebody has done wrong
Avoid saying others have done wrong. Don't say, "You don't understand me." Say, "Maybe I need to make clear what I mean." Give special attention to "I" or "we" rather than "you". Take time to learn polite phrasing. Then you'll make your communication with people more pleasant.