ESL Podcast 372 – A Bully at Work
时间：2019-02-06 作者：英语课 分类：地道美语播客
Wanda: I can’t take it anymore. I try to put up with Robert, but I’ve had enough!
Dana: I’m not surprised. That guy is a big bully 1 and it’s time somebody stood up to him. What has he done now?
Wanda: This was the last straw. We’re both managers and we’re supposed to work together, but Robert looks for every opportunity to put me down in front of our employees. This morning, I presented an idea about upgrading our computer equipment and he jumped down my throat.
Dana: What did he do?
Wanda: He said that the idea was stupid and that he couldn’t understand how anyone could propose it. He said this in front of everybody. I was too stunned 2 to respond, so I just stood there.
Dana: That’s totally inappropriate and unprofessional.
Wanda: He’s arrogant 3 to everybody, but especially to me. He always says he’s just being honest when he makes a biting remark, but I’m realizing that that’s just his excuse to be rude. He treats everyone with contempt. I really don’t know what to do.
Dana: I know people like Robert. They’re so insecure that they have to belittle 4 everyone else to make themselves feel better. They have really poor social skills and don’t know how to have a conversation or to disagree without being a jerk.
Wanda: That may be, but what should I do about him?
Dana: There’s only one way to handle a bully.
Wanda: How?
Dana: You have to call his bluff 5. If he criticizes your plan, ask him to back it up with evidence or a specific reason. If you disagree with him, keep your cool, but tell him why. Most bullies 6 back down when someone stands up to them.
Wanda: Okay, it’s worth a try. I’ve been trying to keep calm and maintain a professional atmosphere in the office, so I haven’t confronted him, but I will if you think it’ll help.
Dana: I do. And if that doesn’t work, tell him to act his age, not his shoe size!
Script by Dr. Lucy Tse
- A bully is always a coward.暴汉常是懦夫。
- The boy gave the bully a pelt on the back with a pebble.那男孩用石子掷击小流氓的背脊。
- You've got to get rid of your arrogant ways.你这骄傲劲儿得好好改改。
- People are waking up that he is arrogant.人们开始认识到他很傲慢。
- Do not belittle what he has achieved.不能小看他取得的成绩。
- When you belittle others,you are actually the one who appears small.当你轻视他人时， 真正渺小的其实是你自己。