经常有学生咨询有关社交英语的技巧及应用的文字；由于社交英语跟学术及职场英语有很大不同，所以有时候学生可能无从入手，尤其是初出茅庐的“打工仔”。基本上，“Please”这个字在任何社交场合不能缺乏。

　　今集介绍一些小技巧及例句，读者也可以发挥创意，就不同场合加上适当的文字。

1.首次会面及对话

　　有时候我们也可以称为破冰对话，皆因大家素未谋面，怎样掌握营造一段友善的对话是重要的。简单来说，就是认识新朋友一样的谦虚有礼、彼此尊重。简单例子：

　　Excuse me, do you speak English?

　　Excuse me. Is anyone sitting here?/ Is this seat free/occupied?

　　Excuse me, is this the right place/ the right room for...?

　　Good morning/ afternoon/ evening. I'm here to see/ meet Peter Pan. (I'm guessing that's you.)

2.名字的介绍

　　I should probably introduce myself. My name is Peter Pan (but please call me Peter / but everyone calls me Peter).

　　Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself.

　　Please allow me to introduce myself.　　My name is Peter Pan (from Hong Kong/... institution/school)

　　(Yes.) That's right. / That's me. (And you must be.../ And you are?)

　　I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name.

3.礼貌语言

　　在社交场合作出有诚意的沟通是重要的，不论是初次打招呼之后或是久别重逢的朋友，礼仪也是基本的沟通模式。以下介绍一些简单例子：

　　有关回应“How...?”的问题

　　Good / Pretty good / Wonderful

　　Really great / Brilliant

　　Very well/ Not (so/ too) bad/ Fine

　　Not so good/ Not so great

　　短答后一般也会加插一至两句，让对方有空间可以继续讨论。例子：

　　How's the essay writing workshop?

　　It was really great. The workshop helps me refine the way I structure my essay, and now I know how to avoid one-liner paragraphs. But I really need someone to comment on my writing...

　　有关学习或公司／工作的讨论

　　I'm studying (for)... at...

　　I majored in English Language and Literature / Engineering / Finance...

　　I work for ABC Company.

　　I'm in charge of/ I'm responsible for...

　　I work in the...department/ division/ section of ABC Limited.

　　有礼貌地不回应问题

　　I'd rather not say (if you don't mind).

4.结束对话的语言

　　社交场合完结之后，不要匆匆的离去，建议有礼貌地跟认识的朋友大体地说再见。以下一些例子：

　　It was my (great) pleasure to meet you.

　　It's great / nice to meet you.

　　I hope you had a good time / I hope you enjoyed yourself... / I hope you learnt a great deal...

　　Thanks again for taking the time to come here today.

　　Thanks, that was really...lovely to meet you / useful seminar / productive discussion / very inspirational talk / stimulating workshop / a real eye opener/...

　　Take care./ Bon voyage./ Have a safe journey (back/ home).

　　Please pass on my regards to...

　　Please say "Hi" to...from me.

　　I hope we have the chance to meet again (soon).

　　I look forward to hearing from you / seeing you/ your call.

　　See you soon.

  以上语文仅供参考，我们鼓励读者就不同场合自己度身订造恰当的内容。

　　下集我们讨论Small Talk──跟素未谋面的人谈论一些不重要的事情，但可以建立初步的人际关系。

　　大专院校语文讲师、企业培训讲师及国际英文公开试主考官 Miss Carol

　　Email：carolc.english@gmail.com