1/15(Wed.) 〜 1/17(Fri.)

実践ビジネス英語　　　Wednesday, January 15

1) Nissen recommends maintaining a distance of four to 12 feet for everyday interactions in the workplace. Less when speaking to an individual, more when presenting to a group. He also mentions the importance of eye contact, but Garcia says too much can make people feel uncomfortable. Nissen further recommends smiling, which helps relax people and make them more likely to welcome one's ideas.

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Reading Body Language (4)

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2) tip: Useful pieces of advice, pointers. "He gave me some great 'tips' on investing in the stock market," for example. Or "She gave me some helpful 'tips' on public speaking."

2) everybody: Here "everyday" is a one word adjective that refers to things we use or see routinely, typically, such as "I need a pair of black pumps for 'everyday' wear."

3) It can also mean ordinary, regular, nothing particularly special. If my husband asked, "What did you have for lunch today?" I could respond, "Oh, just your everyday bento from the convenience store."

4) praise: A number of expressions use "praise," such as, sing someone's
praises. This is to praise someone strongly, enthusiastically. For example, "I chose this restaurant because Marty has been singing its 'praises' for months. He says the food and service are excellent."

5) maintain eye contact: Continue to look someone in the eye. We also say, "make eye contact" and "meet someone's eye." In America, for example, it's important to "make eye contact" when we shake someone's hand. We should also "meet someone's eye" when we are answering their question.

6) discourage someone from: This is to persuade or try to persuade someone not to do something, such as "His wife tried to 'discourage him from' taking up hang gliding."

7) laser-beam stare: Laser-beam is an adjective here "meaning extremely
focused, unwavering. I once met a salesman with a laser-beam stare, and it was very uncomfortable, though to be focused, like a laser can be a good thing too. My freshman roommate in college would study for tests with "laser-beam" intensity. She wouldn't leave the dorm for days. Just pored over her books.

8) overassertive: When someone's "assertive," they are confident, they are strong in saying this is what I want, this is what I think. "Overassertive" takes that too far.Things like, "Tom was certainly 'overassertive' in today's meeting. The vice president had made his decision, but Tom kept arguing with him."

9) receptive to: If you are "receptive to" something, you are ready or
willing to receive it favorably. Things like, "Our boss was very 'receptive to' the idea of getting new computers." or "Voters are rarely 'receptive' to more taxes."

10) We also use the noun "reception" about the kind of welcome that someone or something gets. For example, "Company X's new printer has gotten a warm 'reception' from consumers. Initial sales are strong." or "Teresa's proposal got a cool 'reception' from management. They didn't like it."

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実践ビジネス英語　　　Thursday, January 16

1) Umemura says some Americans gesture too much, and Nissen recalls a former supervisor who would wag his finger at people. Umemura says he is very uncomfortable with presentations and public speaking. And Garcia recommends not holding anything in his hands when he addresses people. Nissen urges Umemura to let his hands hang at his sides and move them apart after they naturally move together while he speaks.

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Reading Body Language (5)

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2) distracting: It draws his attention away from what he wants to be doing or thinking about. Probably Umemura can't focus on what the other person is saying when they are gesturing so dramatically. I would say we usually use the adjective "distracting" to refer to undesirable situations, such as "I try to read but the loud music in the cafe was very 'distracting.'" or "The animation in Frank's presentation didn't clarify anything. It was just 'distracting.'"

4) However, the noun "distraction" and the verb "distract" can refer to our attention being diverted in a good way. For example, reading and watching movies are my favorite "distractions" from daily stress.

5) index finger: This is the second finger on our hands next to the thumb. Moving across from there we have the middle finger, ring finger and little finger or pinkie.

6) lost: Umemura is bewildered, confused in those situations. He doesn't
understand or know what to do. I'd be completely "lost" in a discussion
about physics or music, for example. Two subjects I know nothing about. We also say "lost on" to mean something is wasted on someone because they don't understand it or appreciate it. Again, musical references are "lost on" me because I don't know anything about music.

7) come to mind: Appear in one's thoughts, Garcia means. A company could
survey its customers, for example, by asking, "What 'comes to mind' when you think of our products? Low prices? Reliable quality?"

8) We also say "jump to mind," which means quickly appear in one's thoughts, something like, "Helen asked if I knew anyone suitable for the job, and you immediately 'jumped to mind.'" So I immediately thought of you, in other words.

9) I'd worry about looking lazy: A longer version of Umemura's statement
would be "I'd worry that I would look lazy." But we often use this shorter form, things like, "'I worry about' sounding ungrateful." or "'I worry about' offending people."

10) be drawn together: Umemura's hands will move toward each other as if
something was pulling them. We also say that people "are drawn to" something, meaning it appeals to them. It's like that appeal physically
pulls them toward it, things like, "He 'was drawn to' his current company by its innovative products and informal work environment."

11) not against: He doesn't oppose using gestures, Nissen means, such as
"I'm 'not against' students taking a year off between graduation and work. I think it can be a valuable experience."

12) Like Nissen, we often use it to say "I don't oppose X, but there's a
qualifying factor," such as "I'm 'not against' using supplier X, but I think we should negotiate a lower price."

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実践ビジネス英語 Friday, January 17

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Reading Body Language (6)

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1[S]: Now, in our current vignette, the H&B staff talk about body language and how it affects the impression we make on other people. Bill Nissen, for example, criticizes a woman he interviewed for fumbling with her briefcase and her handbag when she came into the room. Would that make a bad impression on you, Heather?

2[H]: Oh, absolutely. Though, like Bill Nissen, I've been on the other side too. I still shudder to remember an interview I conducted many years ago with a U.S. government official who was visiting Japan. When we got to the building where we were going to hold the interview, I couldn't find my entry pass right away.

I had to rummage through my bag for several minutes while she stood there
waiting, and I got more embarrassed by the minute. I'm sure I looked very
unprepared and unprofessional. So after that, I made myself a personal rule: always have things like my entry pass, business cards and pens in a specific pocket so I can just open my purse or briefcase and whip them right out. I think in general, we should always try to make our movements as smooth and deliberate as possible.

3[S]: Are there any other elements of your body language you keep an eye on?

4[H]: I try not to cross my arms as that can look defensive and closed off. I used to have a bad habit of gesturing with forks and other eating
utensils, which can seem aggressive and risk splattering the other person
with food. But I've pretty much cured myself of that.

One area where I still need some work is extraneous movement. I have a
tendency that tap my fingers or play with my hands, for example, which can make it seem like I'm not paying attention to my work or the person I'm speaking with. I should make more of an effort not to do that.

5[S]: Do you agree with Bill about the impotence of a firm handshake?

6[H]: Certainly, especially in the States or with an American. A strong
handshake is essential to telling the other person I'm confident. I'm
strong. It's also important just as a measure of self-defense. When I got to the age where I started to shake people's hands on a regular basis, I
quickly realized that my fingers would often get crushed together if I
didn't grip the other person firmly, and when you are wearing a ring or two, man, that hurts!

7[S]: Is there any particular body language that gets on your nerves when
other people do it?

8[H]: I don't like it much when other people point at me a lot. It often
feels aggressive and condescending, as if they're thinking "Do you
understand?" or "Are you listening?" I had a friend who used to do that, who jabbed their finger rather close to my face and chest as they spoke, and ultimately, I had to ask them to stop.

9[S]: And finally, have you experienced any culture shock regarding body
language in Japan?

10[H]: The much lower level of physical contact between friends and
relatives took some getting used to, but I'm pretty much accustomed to that now. In fact, I get a bit of culture shock when I go back to the States now and get hugs form people that I'm only casually acquainted with like friends of my mother.

I've actually had gut reactions of "Whoa ho! Easy there. Don't know you that well." I don't think I’ll ever point at things with my middle finger, though. For me, the middle finger is too firmly connected with its unspoken American meaning, and I just wouldn't feel comfortable doing that.

【原稿チェック： Ceilce, Kodo Ogata, Hiromi, Hiroko】
【ディクテーション： Sanae】