20091103 Expressing Opinions (2)

Expressing Opinions

Conversation A

Jack: Hi, Laura. You look pretty upset.
Laura: I am. I just attended a very annoying meeting.
Jack: why was it annoying?
Laura: All we did was argue. No one agreed on anything.
Jack: Well, at least you know where everyone stands on the issues.
Laura: True. But everyone has strong opinions, so we may never make a decision.
Jack: Who led the meeting?
Laura: No one, Jim, the guy who was supposed to lead it, didn't take charge.
Jack: So it was a disaster.
Laura: Yes. I think I'll talk with him before the next meeting and encourage him to take control.
Jack: Good idea.

conversation B

Jack: Oh boy, I need to help the new guy in our office, Steve.
Laura: Why?
Jack: Because he always says exactly what he thinks.
Laura: What's wrong with that?
Jack: He's not sensitive. Being honest is good, but you have to be careful how you say things.
Laura: Yes, you do , or people won't have a very favorable opinion of you.
Jack: Steve needs to think before he speaks and consider the effect of his words.
Laura: Well, I hope you can help him understand the importance of tact. If you can't, he's going to have a difficult time.


annoying adj. 討厭的/惱人的/使人煩惱的
eg: Cecity is so annoying. She talks all the time!

take charge 掌管
eg: After Mom took charge of the picnic, everything went well.

sensitive adj. 敏銳的
eg: Hank asks too many embarrassing questions. He's not sensitive to others' feelings.
eg: A good nanny should be sensitive to the baby's needs and know how to respond.

sensitive adj. 體貼的
eg: Peter is a warm and sensitive husband.

sensitive adj. 敏感的
eg: Brenda has very sensitive skin. She can't stay in the sun too long.

favor v. 偏愛
favorable adj. 贊同的/稱讚的
=> good/positive
eg: Everyone has a favorable opinion of your idea, so let's do it!
eg: The movie received favorable reviews(好評) from the critics.
eg: The New CEO has created a very favorable impression of the company.

tact Un. 應對得體/老練/機智/圓滑
eg: He showed great tact during the negotiations.
eg: You need a lot of tact to deal with angry customers in the customer service.

know where one stands with sb/something 知道某人對[某人/某事]的看法
=> know what they think/feel about certain issue

upset adj. 心煩的/苦惱的




//== Chat Room ==//

So it was a disaster.

disaster n. 災難/失敗的結果
=> In today's article it means "a total failure".
eg: The dinner party was a disaster.

catastrophe n. 大敗/慘敗

fiasco n. 完全失敗/可恥的失敗