舌尖上的美国(69):谈论迟到(下)

Rosie: Sorry, I overslept. My clock didn't go off this morning.

罗茜：对不起，我睡过头了。闹钟早上没响。

Francie: Again?

佛朗斯：又没响？

Rosie: That's right, even though I did set the alarm last night.

罗茜：是的，我昨晚确实订闹钟了。

Francie: Your clock never works. Perhaps you should buy a new one.

佛朗斯：你的闹钟从来没好用过，也许你该买个新的了。

Rosie: Well, if it breaks down again tomorrow, I'll definitely buy a new one.

罗茜：如果明天它再坏，我肯定买个新的。

Francie: Maybe by then it'll be too late.

佛朗斯：也许那时就太晚了。

Rosie: What do you mean "too late"?

罗茜："太晚"是什么意思？

Francie: By that time you'll be fired.

佛朗斯：到那时你就被抄了。

通常公司都会允许不超过三次的善意迟到，但要是天天迟到、还总拿闹钟不响做借口的话，建议你还是买上三个闹钟吧，主管并不是那么好糊弄的呀。

If you have problems with being punctual, especially for things that are a bit threatening, such as doctor's appointments, new social situations, or meeting with people you don't like, then your lateness is anxiety-based. Putting off the inevitable is how your mind tries to cope with anxiety.

如果你总是迟到，在诸如医生约见、新的社交场合或者与你不喜欢的人碰面等一些你害怕面对的事情上尤其明显的话，这种迟到多是焦虑引起的。就算不可避免，也要尽量延后，这就是大脑应对焦虑情绪时的做法。

But if you are habitually late for routine business and for events that don't cause you much discomfort, then the problem is mainly with self-discipline and your“inner brat,”the part of you that balks at exerting itself, and at being told what to do.

但是，如果你已经习惯在任何常规工作和活动场合迟到，那就是自律问题了，还有你心里那个“顽劣的自己”，那个阻止你努力上进、不让你听从引导的自己。

常用表达道歉与接受道歉的表达方式：

致歉

Sorry.

Please forgive my lateness.

Please excuse me. I have to run.

I'm really / awfully / terribly sorry.

I cannot tell you how sorry I am.

Please forgive me. I didn't mean that.

常用句型：

It was wrong of me.

I hope you will excuse me.

I apologize for that.

I'm really sorry to be late again.