在西方,约请别人做事,就要遵循西方的约会礼仪,这些礼仪通常都包括哪些呢?

　　The scheduling of appointments is very important in western culture. If you want to visit somebody or invite somebody to do some-thing, the best way is to make an appointment with him in advance, because most westerners often keep a strict personal schedule. They don't welcome unexpected visitors. Usually for a Westerner three schedules are kept: one for daily events, one for weekly planning, and one for long term planning. You have to show respect for their cultural custom. Often appointments are made on the phone by talking with him directly or with his secretary who can help him to arrange the appointments. Remember to tell him or her directly why you want to meet him.

　　Before making an appointment, you must know the full name and title of the person you want to meet. If necessary, you can check with his secretary. All the appointments should be double-checked for accuracy. The time, ad-dress, names of involved parties, and spelling and pronunciation of the names should be verified.

　　Don't be late for appointments. You have to get to the meeting place on time. If something urgent happens which prevents you from keeping the appointment, you can change or cancel the appointment immediately. It is very impolite for you to fail to keep an appointment.

　　约会礼仪是西方文化重要的组成部分。你如果想拜访某个人,或是想请某人做什么事情,你最好事先与他约好。因为大多数西方人通常都严格地按照自己已定的日程安排做事,都不欢迎不速之客。一个西方人通常都定有三个时间表:一个是当天的计划,一个是每周的计划,一个是长远的计划。你必须尊重他们的文化传统。通常你可以通过电话与他本人或他的秘书约好见面的时间等事项。记住,你还应该坦率告诉他或他的秘书你拜访的目的。

　　在约会之前,你必须了解你要约会的人的全名和头衔。如有必要,你应该找他的秘书核实。为了准确起见,你还应当把所有的约会细节进行再三核实。如时间、地点、所涉及的人的名字以及名字的拼写和发音等。

　　约会时千万不能迟到。你必须按照约定的时间到达见面的地点,如果有紧急事情发生,你不能按时赴约,那你就应该立即更改或取消约会。无故失约是极其不礼貌的。

　　(文/湖北　杨武；英语通高中一年级版2003年第10期；版权归英语辅导报社所有，独家网络合作伙伴新浪教育，未经许可，不得以任何形式进行转载。)