Schmooze 拉关系

Jo: I'm Jo and this is Real English from BBC Learning English.

Lily: I'm Lily. 是的，两分钟的地道英语节目，短小精悍，常听常练，你能积累许多书本上见不到的英式新词语。今天我们将学习什么新词呢?

Jo: Well today's word is schmooze S.C.H.M.O.O.Z.E. schmooze.

Lily: Schmooze 发音怪怪的，Jo 我可猜不出什么意思?

Jo: Well schmooze is a verb and it's when you make small talk with someone but you usually do it to gain an advantage for yourself – so for example you might make a particular effort to talk to a business partner or client to give them a good impression of you or your company.

Lily: 明白了，首先 schmooze 是个动词，意思是，在有求于某人的时候，主动和某人交谈拉关系，比如商业伙伴或有可能给你带来好处的人，所以 schmooze 就是汉语中的拍马屁，套近乎。

Jo: You can say – I was schmoozing the head of the company. Or you might ask someone – who were you schmoozing at the party?

Lily: Let's listen to another example.

Example

A: Did you enjoy the party last night?

B: Yeah it was great. I saw you schmoozing the manager of the accounts department.

A: Yeah, I've applied¹ for a job there so I thought I should make an effort.

Jo: So Li – do you schmooze much?

Lily: Not really. I find it quite difficult making small talk like that. Are you a schmoozer?

Jo: I can schmooze when I have to Lily – but it is tricky². Some people are better at schmoozing than others. Anyway, that's all from BBC Learning English for today – don't forget you can learn more Real English words and expressions on our website www.bbcchina.com.cn. See you next time.

Lily: Bye.