(Office ambience)
M：Hey, Chao Hao, I need to talk to you。
C：What's wrong?
M：Did you offer John in the Technology Department a ride to the lunch today?
C：(恍然大悟) 哎哟，我忘得一干二净了。
M：He waited a long time for you today!
C：啊呀，害他等我半天。Oh dear, what should I do?
M：Find him immediately and apologize!
C：你说什么？Apologize?
M：Apologize, A-P-O-L-O-G-I-Z-E， 就是道歉！
C：我可不能对他说我忘了，总得找个理由吧！
M：不要找出种种理由来解释。 It's always best to be truthful and sincere when you apologize。
C：也是。要道歉嘛还是老老实实，找借口让人听起来不诚恳。好，我这就去找John。
C：行了，没事了。
M：你跟他道歉了？
C：不，John已经走了，我给他写个email就行了。
M：写email不太好。Email is too impersonal when you need to ask forgiveness。你要道歉最好还是当面说好，更正式一些。
C：那，我给John的手机打个电话，好吗？这样不是又快，又能直接讲话嘛！
M：That's a good idea。
(Making cell phone call)
C：Mary, John没接电话，所以我给他留了言，说今天忘了带他去午餐会，我感到很抱歉。这下总算结束了这件事。I'm glad that's over。
M： Over? No way! 留个言就算完啦？不行， 你得做得更慎重一些。
C：哎，我去找他，他不在。我打手机，他不接。我留了言，道了歉。这还不行呀？
M：你最好今天在他桌上留个条。亲自写个条表示道歉会让他感到你很有诚意。要更地道的话，你还可以给他留个小礼物。A small gift as a sign of your sincerity。
C：我哪知道他喜欢什么呀？
M：他喜欢看篮球。
C：OK, I have an idea! 我去买两张篮球比赛的票。我跟他一起去.....当然，要是他不再生我气的话。
M：Great! So remember: when you make mistakes, the best thing is to apologize immediately. When a verbal apology is not enough, write a note and give a small gift.
C: 知道了，知道了。我这就去买票。谢谢Mary.
M：You're welcome!
