情景：周一，泽奥软件公司，部门经理托比正在召开例行周会。

Toby: Good morning, everyone. Did we all have a good weekend? (nods of assent) I'm glad. So, shall we get down to business? First thing on the agenda this week - casual Friday, and dress codes in general. Helen, I'm looking at your department in particular here.

Helen: Oh, not this again.

Toby: I'm sorry, but I got the word from on high. We've got to tighten the policy. Business casual only.

Helen: Toby, we're a computer company. You know what these guys are like. And, you know, casual Friday.

Toby: (laughing) I know, I know. But come on, Helen, you've seen some of the programmers over in development on casual Fridays. T-shirts with slogans like - what was that one on Pete?

Helen: 'Restraining orders are just another way of saying I LOVE YOU'?

Toby: Yeah, I mean that alone could get us hit with sexual harassment. And all that Star Wars and Trek stuff - it just doesn't put forward the right business image. Nor the guys in old shorts. And definitely not sandals. Especially with uncut toenails. Have you seen Brian's feet? I'm not even certain he's human, they look like claws.

Helen: I did like 'Is it solipsistic in here or is it just me?'on Lisa's t-shirt

Toby: Clever, but … you know. Not appropriate. You know, we take clients through the office; we need to present a professional image, even on casual Friday.

Helen: I understand. So, what exactly does 'business casual' mean?

Toby: Well, let me see. Shirts have to be collared, for a start. Khakis or other cotton trousers, not jeans, definitely not shorts. Shoes with socks - not sneakers, though, but loafers are ok.

Helen: What about the women?

Toby: Dresses or shirt and trousers is fine, or capri pants. No tight shorts or short skirts.

Helen: Does that apply to all staff? Because when Millie - you know, the receptionist - wears the miniskirt on Friday, half of the guys in my team are over at reception panting like dogs all day.

Toby: Well, as much as it will sadden the men on the team, yes it does.

Helen: Good. It'll be nice to get them back on focus.

Toby: And there's another thing - piercings and tattooes.

Helen: What about them?

Toby: Not appropriate. I mean, earrings are allowed, obviously, but nose-studs, belly-rings, all that kind of thing? They need to be removed or hidden before work.

Helen: I'm going to get a lot of protest over that.

Toby: Tattoos too, sorry. I know they're popular with the staff in their 20s, but they have to be covered up. They're just not appropriate for the business environment.

Helen: But I know Lee has a tattoo that goes right up to his neck.

Toby: Well, he needs to turn his collar up. I mean, not all the time, but if we have people coming through, ok?

Helen: Couldn't he just hide it with his hair?

Toby: Ah, yes. Hair.

Helen: Really? We have to have a hair policy?

Toby: I'm afraid so. Nothing below the shoulders, no unusual colours or styles …

Helen: Jesus, Toby, what is this, 1950?

Toby: Sorry, but in these times we really need to stress our professional image. People are looking for stability, reassurance. Time to break out the scissors.

Helen: Maybe we should get one of those barbers the Marine Corps uses in; we could just shave them all and be done with it.

Toby: I know it's a bit funny, but it's got to be done.

Helen: I know, I know. But expect an influx of bitching on Tuesday, after I send out the memo on Monday. And a bunch of complaints to HR, I've no doubt.

Toby: I'll be ready for it. But theres another thing …

Helen: More? Boy, this really is going to be fun to unveil to everyone … I better do it by meeting rather than memo.

Toby: That's a good idea; get it all out of the way.

Helen: What's the other thing?

Toby: Some of the toys and photos people are putting in their cubicles …

Helen: Not appropriate. Got it. Like those photos of Brian in Hawaii where he's nearly naked?

Toby: Exactly. I think we'll all be happy to see those go. And I don't mind the action figures - but they should be a bit out of sight, not hanging off the edge of the cubicle. We have to look like adults for clients!

Helen: Can I throw them a bone at least? Compensate them a bit?

Toby: What are you thinking?

Helen: Well, they've been pushing for free pizza when they have to work late, instead of paying for it themselves.

Toby: We can swing that.

Helen: Cool.

Toby: So that's sorted. Ok, folks, onto the next item on the agenda …

托比：各位早上好。周末过得愉快吧？（众人点头同意）很高兴大家过得愉快。那么，我们开始谈论正事吧？本周议程第一项——休闲周五和总的着装要求。海伦，我在这特别叮嘱你们部门。

海伦：啊，又说这个。

托比：很抱歉，但这是高层的指示。我们必须加强管理。只能穿职业休闲装。

海伦：托比，我们是个计算机公司。你知道这帮人是什么德性的。而且，你知道，休闲周五。

托比：（笑）我知道，我知道。但是得啦，海伦，你也见到了开发部一些编程师在休闲周五穿成什么样了。T恤印着那样的标语——皮特T恤上印着什么来着？

海伦：“限制令只是表达爱意的另一种方式”？

托比：是，我是说单单这个标语就能让咱们陷入性骚扰的麻烦。还有衣服上那些《星球大战》和《星际迷航》里的东西——就是不能展现正面的企业形象。还有那些穿旧短裤的家伙。而且绝对不能穿凉鞋。尤其是还不剪脚趾甲。你看到布莱恩的脚了吗？我甚至都不能肯定他是人类，脚趾甲看起来像爪子。

海伦：但我的确喜欢丽萨T恤上的“是唯我还是只有我？”

托比：明智，但是……你知道。不合适。你知道，我们带客户穿过办公室；我们需要展现一个专业的形象，甚至在休闲周五。

海伦：我理解。那么，“职业休闲装”确切指什么？

托比：那个，让我看看。首先，衬衫必须带领，裤子是卡其布或者其它棉质的，不能穿牛仔裤，绝对不能穿短裤。鞋配袜子穿——但是不能穿凉鞋，不过路夫鞋可以。

海伦：女士怎么办？

托比：连衣裙或者衬衫配裤子都可以，或者卡普里裤。不能穿紧身短裤或者短裙。

海伦：这适用于所有员工吗？因为当米莉——你知道，那个前台——周五穿迷你裙的时候，我小组里有一半的家伙整天都像小狗一样围在接待处喘气。

托比：哦，尽管会伤透组里男士们的心，但是必须这样。

海伦：好，让他们集中精力的话不错。

托比：还有一件事——穿孔和纹身。

海伦：这些怎么了？

托比：不合适。我是说，很显然耳洞是可以的，但是鼻钉、脐环，所有这类的东西需要在上班前摘掉或者遮掩一下。

海伦：关于这一点我将会收到很多抗议。

托比：还有纹身，很抱歉也不行。我知道这些在20多岁的员工中很流行，但是他们必须被遮盖起来。这些很不适合公司环境。

海伦：但是我知道李有个纹身一直到脖子。

托比：哦，那他得把他的领子立起来。我的意思是，不用总拉起来，但如果有客户走过的时候，好吧？

海伦：难道他就不能用头发把它给遮起来吗？

托比：啊，是的。还有头发。

海伦：真的？我们必须得有关于头发的规定吗？

托比：恐怕如此，不能超过肩膀，不能弄怪异的颜色或者发型……

海伦：天啊，托比，现在是什么年代，1950年？

托比：抱歉，但是现在这个时候我们真得需要突出我们的专业形象。人们在寻求稳定和信心。是动剪刀的时候了。

海伦：或许我们应该找一个海军陆战队雇佣的理发师。我们可以把头发全剃光，全部搞定。

托比：我知道这有点可笑，但是必须施行。

海伦：我知道，我知道。但是周一我把备忘发出去之后，就等着周二抱怨如潮吧。人事部也会收到很多抱怨，对此我毫不怀疑。

托比：我将为此做好准备。但是，还有一件事……

海伦：还有？伙计，公布给大家将真得变成一件乐事了……我最好还是开会说而不是发备忘。

托比：这是个好主意；一次性都搞定。

海伦：另外一件事是什么？

托比：人们放在办公隔间里的一些玩具和照片……

海伦：不合适。知道了。像布莱恩那些在夏威夷的几乎全裸的照片？

托比：完全正确。我觉得我们将会很高兴把那些给拿下去。另外我并不介意那些玩偶——但是应该离视线远一点，而不是在隔间边上晃荡。为了客户我们必须看起来够成熟。

海伦：我能给他们一点好处吗？补偿他们一下？

托比：你怎么想的？

海伦：哦，他们一直在努力争取当不得不加班到很晚的时候能有免费的披萨，而不是自掏腰包。

托比：我们可以解决这件事。

海伦：很好。

托比：所以这项弄明白了。好了，伙计们，接着谈第二项议题……

Notes

1. get down to

意为“开始认真处理、着手做”。

例句：I really must get down to some study.

我的确必须开始认真学点东西。

2. on high

意为“在高处、在天（堂）上”，文中指公司高层。

例句：The great white clouds slid swiftly on high.

大片的白云在高空飘过。

The disaster was seen as a judgement from on high.

这一灾难被视为上天的惩罚。

3. put forward

意为“向前移、将……提前、提出”，文中理解为“展现”。

例句：Why don't you put your chair forward to get a better view?

你为什么不把椅子往前挪一点, 以便看得更清楚些？

We shall have to put the meeting forward.

我们得把会议提前。

He put forward a plan for the committee to consider.

他提出一项计划交由全体委员审议。

4. for a start

意为“首先”。

例句：For a start, let's agree where we should meet.

首先让我们商定在哪里碰头。

5. cover up

意为“盖起来、裹住、掩盖”。

例句：It's cold and you should cover up warmly.

天冷, 你要穿暖些。

The authorities were able to cover up what really happened at the incident.

当局设法掩盖了事件的真相。

6. turn up

意为“开大、翻起、出现”。

例句：Please turn the radio up a little.

请把收音机开大一点。

He didn't turn up until half an hour later.

半小时后他才出现。

7. come through

意为“穿过、穿透、接通、恢复（健康）”。

例句：The sun came through after days of rain.

下了几天雨之后, 太阳出来了。

I was just going out when a call came through on the phone from Tom.

我正要出去时, 汤姆打电话来了。

I hope he will come through all right.

我希望他能安然无恙。

8. send out

意为“发送、发出、散布”。

例句：They sent out invitations to many people.

他们向许多人发了请帖。

The company is sending out leaflets to all its contacts.

公司将把传单发送给所有的有关单位。

9. push for

意为“急切强烈地要求、为……奋力争取”。

例句：People living near the airport are pushing for new rules about night flight.

住在机场附近的人们正强烈要求制订出夜航班机的新规。

Links

1. Casual Friday

“休闲周五”，即星期五便装日，起源于英国，指那些平常对着装有严格要求的公司，在星期五这一天允许员工穿着不同程度的休闲服装。

职场着装通常分为正式（formal），非正式（informal）与休闲（casual），但三者并无明确界限。得体的办公室着装既需要体现职业性质与公司文化，又要体现个人风格和自我价值。

2. loafers

路夫鞋，一种矮帮休闲皮鞋的商标。这种鞋鞋面类似北美印第安人的鹿皮鞋，但是鞋跟宽而扁。这一商标经常以小写字体出现。

3. capri pants

一般译作卡普里裤，主要指七分裤，最长仅及踝骨，是比较典型的热带风格。名字来源于意大利卡普里度假岛，在20世纪50代就开始流行此款裤型，现被各大品牌加以改革创新。