Lesson18
Wednesday: Money and Happiness(4)
Dialogue
P: But it makes you wonder who was happier; a mighty conqueror like Alexander, or someone like Diogenes who had renounced material wealth altogether.
U: I think most people agree there's more to happiness than how much money you have or don't have. I associate happiness with such factors as good relationships with family and friends, health, and satisfaction with work.
C: True, but it doesn't hurt to have at least enough money to not be worried about making ends meet.
P: Of course. But studies have shown that once your basic living requirements are met, adding more income doesn't increase your level of happiness by very much.
B: The way I see it, whether you're happy or not depends a lot on your frame of mind. I'm no Pollyanna, but there's a lot if employees start the day in a good mood, it can have a huge impact on a company's performance.
C: Too true. The other morning, for example, some obnoxious jerk butted in front of me as I was waiting for the subway, and made me drop my purse. And then as I was walking from the station to the office, I tripped and spilled the latte I'd just bought.
Words and Expressions
mighty(a) very strong and powerful.
renounce(v) to state officially that you are no longer going to keep a title, position, etc. (=give up)
make ends meet(i) to earn just enough money to be able to buy the things you need.
frame of mind(n) the way you feel or the mood you are in at a particular time.
Pollyanna(n) a person who is always cheerful and expects only good things to happen.
jerk(n) a stupid or unpleasant person.
butt(v) to hit or push someone or something hard with your head.
Lesson18
Wednesday: Money and Happiness(4)
Dialogue
P: But it makes you wonder who was happier; a mighty conqueror like Alexander, or someone like Diogenes who had renounced material wealth altogether.
U: I think most people agree there's more to happiness than how much money you have or don't have. I associate happiness with such factors as good relationships with family and friends, health, and satisfaction with work.
C: True, but it doesn't hurt to have at least enough money to not be worried about making ends meet.
P: Of course. But studies have shown that once your basic living requirements are met, adding more income doesn't increase your level of happiness by very much.
B: The way I see it, whether you're happy or not depends a lot on your frame of mind. I'm no Pollyanna, but there's a lot if employees start the day in a good mood, it can have a huge impact on a company's performance.
C: Too true. The other morning, for example, some obnoxious jerk butted in front of me as I was waiting for the subway, and made me drop my purse. And then as I was walking from the station to the office, I tripped and spilled the latte I'd just bought.
Words and Expressions
mighty(a) very strong and powerful.
renounce(v) to state officially that you are no longer going to keep a title, position, etc. (=give up)
make ends meet(i) to earn just enough money to be able to buy the things you need.
frame of mind(n) the way you feel or the mood you are in at a particular time.
Pollyanna(n) a person who is always cheerful and expects only good things to happen.
jerk(n) a stupid or unpleasant person.
butt(v) to hit or push someone or something hard with your head.
Wednesday: Money and Happiness(4)
Dialogue
P: But it makes you wonder who was happier; a mighty conqueror like Alexander, or someone like Diogenes who had renounced material wealth altogether.
U: I think most people agree there's more to happiness than how much money you have or don't have. I associate happiness with such factors as good relationships with family and friends, health, and satisfaction with work.
C: True, but it doesn't hurt to have at least enough money to not be worried about making ends meet.
P: Of course. But studies have shown that once your basic living requirements are met, adding more income doesn't increase your level of happiness by very much.
B: The way I see it, whether you're happy or not depends a lot on your frame of mind. I'm no Pollyanna, but there's a lot if employees start the day in a good mood, it can have a huge impact on a company's performance.
C: Too true. The other morning, for example, some obnoxious jerk butted in front of me as I was waiting for the subway, and made me drop my purse. And then as I was walking from the station to the office, I tripped and spilled the latte I'd just bought.
Words and Expressions
mighty(a) very strong and powerful.
renounce(v) to state officially that you are no longer going to keep a title, position, etc. (=give up)
make ends meet(i) to earn just enough money to be able to buy the things you need.
frame of mind(n) the way you feel or the mood you are in at a particular time.
Pollyanna(n) a person who is always cheerful and expects only good things to happen.
jerk(n) a stupid or unpleasant person.
butt(v) to hit or push someone or something hard with your head.
Lesson18
Friday: Money and Happiness
Dialogue
P: I found that the simple act of sending postcards from Bhutan made my friends and relatives feel happy. In these days of email and online chat, the old-school cachet of a postcard gives it a lot for the buck.
U: But just what is happiness, anyway? How exactly do you define it?
B: Now that is one difficult question. Some of the greatest minds through the ages have wrestled with it. For example, there's the Greek philosopher Diogenes, who is said to have lived in a tub and subsisted on onions. He believed asceticism was the best way to achieve inner peace and happiness.
C : Really? He sounds like a nut, if you ask me. And I bet he didn't hae many friends if all he ate was onions. [Chuckles]
B: Actually, far from being dismissed as a crank, Diogenes was the only thinker Alexander the Great went to see. The others had to come to him. There's a famous story that Alexander the Great found him sleeping in the sun and announced, "I am Alexander the Great. Is there anything I could do for you?" Diogenes just asked him to move out of the sun.
U: Gee, that was pretty brave of him.
P: It took more than a bit of chutzpah, to be sure.
Words and Expressions
old-school(a) old-fashioned or traditional.
cachet(n) if something has cachet, it has a special quality that people admire and approve of.
bang for your buck (i) if you get more, better, etc. bang for your buck, you get better value for the money you spend or the effort you put in to something.
wrestle(v) (with something)to struggle to deal with something that is difficult.
tub(n) a large round container without a lid, used for washing clothes in, growing plants in, etc.
subsist(v) (on something)to manage to stay alive, especially with limited food or money.
asceticism(n) the way of not allowing yourself physical pleasures, especially for religious reasons; related to a simple and strict way of living.
nut(n) a strange or crazy person.
crank(n) a person with ideas that other people find strange.
chutzpah(n) behavior, or a person's attitude, that is rude or shocking but so confident that people may feel forced to admire it.
Friday: Money and Happiness
Dialogue
P: I found that the simple act of sending postcards from Bhutan made my friends and relatives feel happy. In these days of email and online chat, the old-school cachet of a postcard gives it a lot for the buck.
U: But just what is happiness, anyway? How exactly do you define it?
B: Now that is one difficult question. Some of the greatest minds through the ages have wrestled with it. For example, there's the Greek philosopher Diogenes, who is said to have lived in a tub and subsisted on onions. He believed asceticism was the best way to achieve inner peace and happiness.
C : Really? He sounds like a nut, if you ask me. And I bet he didn't hae many friends if all he ate was onions. [Chuckles]
B: Actually, far from being dismissed as a crank, Diogenes was the only thinker Alexander the Great went to see. The others had to come to him. There's a famous story that Alexander the Great found him sleeping in the sun and announced, "I am Alexander the Great. Is there anything I could do for you?" Diogenes just asked him to move out of the sun.
U: Gee, that was pretty brave of him.
P: It took more than a bit of chutzpah, to be sure.
Words and Expressions
old-school(a) old-fashioned or traditional.
cachet(n) if something has cachet, it has a special quality that people admire and approve of.
bang for your buck (i) if you get more, better, etc. bang for your buck, you get better value for the money you spend or the effort you put in to something.
wrestle(v) (with something)to struggle to deal with something that is difficult.
tub(n) a large round container without a lid, used for washing clothes in, growing plants in, etc.
subsist(v) (on something)to manage to stay alive, especially with limited food or money.
asceticism(n) the way of not allowing yourself physical pleasures, especially for religious reasons; related to a simple and strict way of living.
nut(n) a strange or crazy person.
crank(n) a person with ideas that other people find strange.
chutzpah(n) behavior, or a person's attitude, that is rude or shocking but so confident that people may feel forced to admire it.
Lesson18
Thursday: Money and Happiness
Dialogue
P: It made me realize that I should buy things that dust can't land on: memories, connections and engagement. It's a lot better to have a relaxing dinner with my family at a nice restaurant than to buy, say, a big flat-screen TV.
B: That's the way I see it too. Some people say money can't buy happiness. But you can actually buy happiness, if you know how to use money wisely.
U: In that sense, I'd say your family vacation was a good way to spend your money, Paul.
B: I agree. But you don't have to travel halfway around the world and spend thousands of dollers to be happy. You can invest in weekend getaways to the country, for example.
P: And by the same token, people who live in the country can treat themselves to a weekend in the big city. A change is as good as a rest, as they say.
C: And spending happiness to others doesn't have to be an expensive or complicated prospect either. Just buying flowers for someone you care about can warm their heart.
P: Right you are.
Words and Expressions
land on(ph) to come down through the air onto the ground or another surface.
getaways(n) a short vacation; a place that is suitable for a vacation.
by the same token(i) for the same reasons.
treat someone/yourself (to do something)(ph) to pay for something that someone/you will enjoy and that you do not usually have or do.
Thursday: Money and Happiness
Dialogue
P: It made me realize that I should buy things that dust can't land on: memories, connections and engagement. It's a lot better to have a relaxing dinner with my family at a nice restaurant than to buy, say, a big flat-screen TV.
B: That's the way I see it too. Some people say money can't buy happiness. But you can actually buy happiness, if you know how to use money wisely.
U: In that sense, I'd say your family vacation was a good way to spend your money, Paul.
B: I agree. But you don't have to travel halfway around the world and spend thousands of dollers to be happy. You can invest in weekend getaways to the country, for example.
P: And by the same token, people who live in the country can treat themselves to a weekend in the big city. A change is as good as a rest, as they say.
C: And spending happiness to others doesn't have to be an expensive or complicated prospect either. Just buying flowers for someone you care about can warm their heart.
P: Right you are.
Words and Expressions
land on(ph) to come down through the air onto the ground or another surface.
getaways(n) a short vacation; a place that is suitable for a vacation.
by the same token(i) for the same reasons.
treat someone/yourself (to do something)(ph) to pay for something that someone/you will enjoy and that you do not usually have or do.
Lesson18
Wednesday: Money and Happiness(1)
Dialogue
K: Welcome back, Paul. I'm dying to hear about your family vacation in exotic Bhutan. Was it what you expected?
P: That and more. It was almost literally out of this world. As you may know, Bhutan is the only country in the wold that includes its citizens' happiness in the equation of its national wealth.
C: So I've heard. That Himalayan nation focuses more on something called "gross national happiness" than gross domestic product.
S: Wow, what an interesting concept! That's quite a different way of looking at things.
P: Yes, and seeing how people in Bhutan live gave me a lot to think about. I'm glad we decided to spend our money on a unique experience like that, instead of buying yet more material goods to clutter up our house with. Our vacation was infinitely more valuable than any tangible possession. We'll always cherish those memories.
C: You make me want to hop on the next plane to Bhutan. It sounds like your vacation there was a life-changing experience.
P: You could definitely say that.
Words and Expressions
be dying for something/to do something(i) to want something or want to do something very much.
exotic(n) from or in another country, especially a tropical one; seeming exciting and unusual because it is connected with foreign countries.
out of this world(i) used to emphasize how good, beautiful, etc. something is.
equation(n) the act of making something equal or considering something as equal (= of equating them).
clutter something (up) with something/someone(v) to fill a place with too many things, so that it is messy.
tangible(n) that can be clearly seen to exist.
hop on(v) to go or move somewhere quickly and suddenly.
Wednesday: Money and Happiness(1)
Dialogue
K: Welcome back, Paul. I'm dying to hear about your family vacation in exotic Bhutan. Was it what you expected?
P: That and more. It was almost literally out of this world. As you may know, Bhutan is the only country in the wold that includes its citizens' happiness in the equation of its national wealth.
C: So I've heard. That Himalayan nation focuses more on something called "gross national happiness" than gross domestic product.
S: Wow, what an interesting concept! That's quite a different way of looking at things.
P: Yes, and seeing how people in Bhutan live gave me a lot to think about. I'm glad we decided to spend our money on a unique experience like that, instead of buying yet more material goods to clutter up our house with. Our vacation was infinitely more valuable than any tangible possession. We'll always cherish those memories.
C: You make me want to hop on the next plane to Bhutan. It sounds like your vacation there was a life-changing experience.
P: You could definitely say that.
Words and Expressions
be dying for something/to do something(i) to want something or want to do something very much.
exotic(n) from or in another country, especially a tropical one; seeming exciting and unusual because it is connected with foreign countries.
out of this world(i) used to emphasize how good, beautiful, etc. something is.
equation(n) the act of making something equal or considering something as equal (= of equating them).
clutter something (up) with something/someone(v) to fill a place with too many things, so that it is messy.
tangible(n) that can be clearly seen to exist.
hop on(v) to go or move somewhere quickly and suddenly.
Lesson17
Wednesday: Hospital Food, Airline Food (5)
Dialogue
C: No kidding. And for safety reasons, you can't have open-flame grills and ovens on commercial aircraft. Flight attendants aren't allowed to handle food the way a chef might when preparing a dish. Meals can only be reheated, not cooked, on an airliner.
U: So is improving airline food a hopeless cause?
C: Not necessarily. Some airline are now offering nutritious and tasty items in their inflight meal service.
B: Really? That hasn't been my experience, unfortunately.
C: Nor mine. In the last two decades or so, most airline food has been in terminal decline, mainly because of massive cost-cutting. Long gone are the days when passengers were served rack of lamb on silver platters and endless free champagne.
U: So why are some airlines improving their food service? Have they received a lot of complaints from customers?
C: Yes, indeed. But what's got them most worried is negative feedback from first-class and business passengers. That's where the bulk of their profits come from. So airlines are investing again to attract passengers who will pay a premium for tickets, and food is a major part of that effort.
Words and Expressions
rack of lamb(n) a piece of lamb that includes the front ribs and is cooked in the oven.
platter(n) a large plate that is used for serving food.
the bulk(n) (of something)the main part of something; most of something.
Wednesday: Hospital Food, Airline Food (5)
Dialogue
C: No kidding. And for safety reasons, you can't have open-flame grills and ovens on commercial aircraft. Flight attendants aren't allowed to handle food the way a chef might when preparing a dish. Meals can only be reheated, not cooked, on an airliner.
U: So is improving airline food a hopeless cause?
C: Not necessarily. Some airline are now offering nutritious and tasty items in their inflight meal service.
B: Really? That hasn't been my experience, unfortunately.
C: Nor mine. In the last two decades or so, most airline food has been in terminal decline, mainly because of massive cost-cutting. Long gone are the days when passengers were served rack of lamb on silver platters and endless free champagne.
U: So why are some airlines improving their food service? Have they received a lot of complaints from customers?
C: Yes, indeed. But what's got them most worried is negative feedback from first-class and business passengers. That's where the bulk of their profits come from. So airlines are investing again to attract passengers who will pay a premium for tickets, and food is a major part of that effort.
Words and Expressions
rack of lamb(n) a piece of lamb that includes the front ribs and is cooked in the oven.
platter(n) a large plate that is used for serving food.
the bulk(n) (of something)the main part of something; most of something.
Lesson17
Wednesday: Hospital Food, Airline Food(4)
Dialogue
C: I'm really glad you liked the hospital hood, Seiji, not to mention that your medical issue has passed, as it were. Traditionally, it's been a toss-up as to which was worse: hospital food or airline food.
B: Hospitals may be upgrading their food, but I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for airlines to improve their act menu-wise. Just about the only thing that tastes good up in the air is tomato juice.
C: There are all sorts of reasons airline food has a bad reputation. My cousin Alf is a chief purser at a major international airline. As he points out, packaging, freezing, drying and storage can do a number on flavor at any altitude, let alone at 35,000 feet.
U: Yes, it must be a catering nightmare.
C: Alf also said the atmosphere inside an airline dries out the nose. And as the plane gains altitude, the change in air pressure numbs about a third of your taste buds. So your sense of smell and taste are radically affected. That's why a lot of tomato juice gets consumed on airlines: it tastes far less acidic up in the air.
U: I feel sorry for the flight attendance who have to get meals ready in an airline's tiny galley space, and then push those heavy food and drink carts up and down the aisles.
Words and Expressions
toss-up(n) a situation in which either of two choices, results, etc. is equally possible.
hold your breath(i) people say don't hold your breath! to emphasize that something will take a long time or may not happen.
-wise(s) concerning.
purser(n) an officer on a ship who is responsible for taking care of the passengers, and for the accounts.
do a number on someone/something(i) to hurt someone or damage something, either emotionally or physically.
numb(a) unable to feel, think, or react in the normal way.
buts(n) a flower or leaf that is not fully open.
acidic(a) very poor.
galley(n) the kitchen on a ship or plane.
Wednesday: Hospital Food, Airline Food(4)
Dialogue
C: I'm really glad you liked the hospital hood, Seiji, not to mention that your medical issue has passed, as it were. Traditionally, it's been a toss-up as to which was worse: hospital food or airline food.
B: Hospitals may be upgrading their food, but I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for airlines to improve their act menu-wise. Just about the only thing that tastes good up in the air is tomato juice.
C: There are all sorts of reasons airline food has a bad reputation. My cousin Alf is a chief purser at a major international airline. As he points out, packaging, freezing, drying and storage can do a number on flavor at any altitude, let alone at 35,000 feet.
U: Yes, it must be a catering nightmare.
C: Alf also said the atmosphere inside an airline dries out the nose. And as the plane gains altitude, the change in air pressure numbs about a third of your taste buds. So your sense of smell and taste are radically affected. That's why a lot of tomato juice gets consumed on airlines: it tastes far less acidic up in the air.
U: I feel sorry for the flight attendance who have to get meals ready in an airline's tiny galley space, and then push those heavy food and drink carts up and down the aisles.
Words and Expressions
toss-up(n) a situation in which either of two choices, results, etc. is equally possible.
hold your breath(i) people say don't hold your breath! to emphasize that something will take a long time or may not happen.
-wise(s) concerning.
purser(n) an officer on a ship who is responsible for taking care of the passengers, and for the accounts.
do a number on someone/something(i) to hurt someone or damage something, either emotionally or physically.
numb(a) unable to feel, think, or react in the normal way.
buts(n) a flower or leaf that is not fully open.
acidic(a) very poor.
galley(n) the kitchen on a ship or plane.
Lesson17
Thursday: Hospital Food, Airline Food(2)
Dialogue
C: My kidney, I mean, my heart goes out to you. I had a kidney stone attack once, and it was the most painful experience I've ever had - outside my marriage. [Chuckle]
B: How did you find the hospital? I guess it was the first time you'd been treated in an American one.
U: Yes, it was. My overall impression was very good. But everything was very different from a Japanese hospital, from the way my temperature was taken to the payment system. Thank goodness my stay was covered by insurance.
C: How was the food? When I had my tonsils out a few years back, the food was distinctly less than appetizing. I thought they must be purposefully serving horrible food to encourage patients to leave the hospital as soon as possible.
U: My experience was very different. The food at the hospital was delicious, believe it or not. I was surprised to learn that patients had a choice of menu items. In fact, if you were willing to pay extra, you could even ask the kitchen staff to prepare made-to-order dishes.
C: Yum. Will wonders never cease. You almost make me want to check into my local hospital to sample the haute cuisine.
Words and Expressions
your heart goes out to someone(i) used to say that you feel a lot of sympathy for someone.
tonsil(n) either of the two small organs at the sides of the throat, near the base of the tongue.
distinctly(d) easily or clearly heard, seen, felt, etc.
purposefully(d) having a useful purpose; acting with a clear aim and with determination.
made-to-order(a) made specially for a particular customer.
wonders will never cease(i) a phrase used to express surprise and pleasure at something.
haute cuisine(n) an expensive French meal.
Thursday: Hospital Food, Airline Food(2)
Dialogue
C: My kidney, I mean, my heart goes out to you. I had a kidney stone attack once, and it was the most painful experience I've ever had - outside my marriage. [Chuckle]
B: How did you find the hospital? I guess it was the first time you'd been treated in an American one.
U: Yes, it was. My overall impression was very good. But everything was very different from a Japanese hospital, from the way my temperature was taken to the payment system. Thank goodness my stay was covered by insurance.
C: How was the food? When I had my tonsils out a few years back, the food was distinctly less than appetizing. I thought they must be purposefully serving horrible food to encourage patients to leave the hospital as soon as possible.
U: My experience was very different. The food at the hospital was delicious, believe it or not. I was surprised to learn that patients had a choice of menu items. In fact, if you were willing to pay extra, you could even ask the kitchen staff to prepare made-to-order dishes.
C: Yum. Will wonders never cease. You almost make me want to check into my local hospital to sample the haute cuisine.
Words and Expressions
your heart goes out to someone(i) used to say that you feel a lot of sympathy for someone.
tonsil(n) either of the two small organs at the sides of the throat, near the base of the tongue.
distinctly(d) easily or clearly heard, seen, felt, etc.
purposefully(d) having a useful purpose; acting with a clear aim and with determination.
made-to-order(a) made specially for a particular customer.
wonders will never cease(i) a phrase used to express surprise and pleasure at something.
haute cuisine(n) an expensive French meal.
Lesson17
Wednesday: Hospital Food, Airline Food(1)
Dialogue
C: Seiji, it's good to see you on your feet again after being in the hospital. I'm glad you're back.
U: Thanks. I sure feel a lot better than I did a few days ago.
B: What happened to you? I didn't know you'd hospitalized.
U: Yes, I was laid up for two days. I was flying back to New York after a business trip to Chicago, and just after plain took off, I suddenly felt an intense pain in my lower back. I had no idea what was causing it. I was in agnoy.
C: Oh, how horrible. Wasn't there anything the cabin crew could do for you?
U: No, unfortunately. All they could do was have an ambulance ready to pick me up at La Guardia and rush me to the closer ER.
B: Goodness, what a traumatic experience. So what was the diagnosis?
U: It turned out that I had a kidney stone. I hope I never have to experience that kind of pain again. After I underwent IV treatment, the stone eventually left my body naturally.
Words and Expressions
on your feet(i) completely well or in a normal state again after an illness or a time of trouble.
agony(n) extreme physical or mental pain.
ER = emergency room
kidney(n) either of the two organs in the body that remove waste products from the blood and produce urine.
IV(n) a piece of equipment that passes liquid food, medicine, or blood very slowly through a tube into a patient's vein.
Wednesday: Hospital Food, Airline Food(1)
Dialogue
C: Seiji, it's good to see you on your feet again after being in the hospital. I'm glad you're back.
U: Thanks. I sure feel a lot better than I did a few days ago.
B: What happened to you? I didn't know you'd hospitalized.
U: Yes, I was laid up for two days. I was flying back to New York after a business trip to Chicago, and just after plain took off, I suddenly felt an intense pain in my lower back. I had no idea what was causing it. I was in agnoy.
C: Oh, how horrible. Wasn't there anything the cabin crew could do for you?
U: No, unfortunately. All they could do was have an ambulance ready to pick me up at La Guardia and rush me to the closer ER.
B: Goodness, what a traumatic experience. So what was the diagnosis?
U: It turned out that I had a kidney stone. I hope I never have to experience that kind of pain again. After I underwent IV treatment, the stone eventually left my body naturally.
Words and Expressions
on your feet(i) completely well or in a normal state again after an illness or a time of trouble.
agony(n) extreme physical or mental pain.
ER = emergency room
kidney(n) either of the two organs in the body that remove waste products from the blood and produce urine.
IV(n) a piece of equipment that passes liquid food, medicine, or blood very slowly through a tube into a patient's vein.
Lesson16
Thursday: Office Holiday Party(5)
Dialogue
C: One of my friends, for example, is a recovering alcoholic, and so she always politely refuses invitations to social or work-related gatherings where alcohol is served.
U: Do you think any suggestions regarding decorations? How about a Christmas tree?
L: That's might be OK, but the general rule of thumb at holiday parties is to have decorations lean toward the secular side. That way you lesson the risk of offering someone's religious sensibilities.
U: Should there be a dress code?
C: I don't think that's necessary. My basic style guideline is "business casual." Nothing too fancy or formal, but something a little more refined than a T-shirts and jeans.
U: I got it. Oh, any hints for how I can make the most of the experience as a participant?
L: Pay attention to things like body language and maintaining a friendly, sociable attitude. And while not being too pushy, you should try to reach out to and get to know coworkers whom you haven't had much of a chance to talk to.
U: Right. Thanks for all your advice.
Words and Expressions
gathering(n) a meeting of people for a particular purpose.
a rule of thumb(i) a practical method of doing or measuring something, usually based on past experience rather than on exact measurement.
secular(a) not connected with spiritual or religious matters.
refine(v) to improve something by making small changes to it.
pushy(a) trying hard to get what you want, especially in a way that seems rude.
Thursday: Office Holiday Party(5)
Dialogue
C: One of my friends, for example, is a recovering alcoholic, and so she always politely refuses invitations to social or work-related gatherings where alcohol is served.
U: Do you think any suggestions regarding decorations? How about a Christmas tree?
L: That's might be OK, but the general rule of thumb at holiday parties is to have decorations lean toward the secular side. That way you lesson the risk of offering someone's religious sensibilities.
U: Should there be a dress code?
C: I don't think that's necessary. My basic style guideline is "business casual." Nothing too fancy or formal, but something a little more refined than a T-shirts and jeans.
U: I got it. Oh, any hints for how I can make the most of the experience as a participant?
L: Pay attention to things like body language and maintaining a friendly, sociable attitude. And while not being too pushy, you should try to reach out to and get to know coworkers whom you haven't had much of a chance to talk to.
U: Right. Thanks for all your advice.
Words and Expressions
gathering(n) a meeting of people for a particular purpose.
a rule of thumb(i) a practical method of doing or measuring something, usually based on past experience rather than on exact measurement.
secular(a) not connected with spiritual or religious matters.
refine(v) to improve something by making small changes to it.
pushy(a) trying hard to get what you want, especially in a way that seems rude.