EP 0188The Office

Asking For A Raise

A

Excuse me sir, may I talk to you?

B

Bill! Sure, come on in. What can I do for you?

A

Well sir, as you know, I have been an employee of this prestigious firm for over ten years.

B

Yes.

A

I won’t beat around the bush. Sir, I would like a raise. I currently have three companies after me and so I decided to talk to you first.

B

A raise? Son, I would love to give you a raise, but this is just not the right time.

A

I understand your position, and I know that the current economic downturn has had a negative impact on sales, but you must also take into consideration my hard work, pro-activeness and loyalty to this company for over a decade.

B

Taking into account these factors, and considering I don’t want to start a brain drain, I’m willing to offer you a ten percent raise and an extra five days of vacation time. How does that sound?

A

Great! It’s a deal! Thank you, sir!

B

Before you go, just out of curiosity, what companies were after you?

A

Oh, the electric company, gas company and water company!

核心词汇

beat around the bushphrase

avoid the subject by talking about something else

raisecommon noun, singular

increase in salary

take into considerationphrase

to think about something before making a decision

offerprinciple verb, infinitive

give with the choice of accepting or rejecting

loyaltycommon noun, singular

the quality of being loyal

拓展词汇

to move up the ladderphrase

to receive a promotion at work

promotioncommon noun, singular

an offer of a better position at the same company

demotioncommon noun, singular

being asked to do a less important job at the same company

initiativecommon noun, singular

deciding to take the first step; making a decision on one’s own