secret about British people. And it's that

關於英國人的祕密。就是

we're not great at saying 'no'.

我們不擅長說 "不"。

So if you want to say 'no' like a Brit, remember

所以，如果你想像英國人一樣說 "不"，請記得

not to be too direct.

不要太直接。

We don't actually like saying 'no', so start

我們其實並不喜歡說 "不"，所以開始

by saying how bad it is, or apologise.

通過說它是多麼的糟糕，或者道歉。

'Unfortunately….'

'不幸的是....'

'I'm afraid….'

'恐怕....'

'Sorry, but….'

'對不起，但是....'

Ok, so now they know that you don't want to

好了，現在他們知道你不想...

do it, tell them why you have to do this terrible

做，告訴他們為什麼你要做這個可怕的。

thing.

的事情。

'Unfortunately, I'm not able to come tonight.'

'很遺憾，我今晚不能來了'。

'I'm afraid that's not possible.'

'這恐怕是不可能的'。

'Sorry, but I don't think that's a good idea.'

'對不起，但我認為這不是一個好主意。

OK, now the bad stuff is out of the way, suggest

好了，現在不好的東西已經說完了，建議

an alternative.

一種替代辦法。

'Unfortunately, I'm not able to come tonight.

'可惜，今晚我不能來。

Let's try next week!'

下週再試試吧！'

'I'm afraid that's not possible, but I've got another idea.'

'恐怕是不可能的，但我有另一個想法。

So – just remember, not too direct, apologise,

所以--記住，不要太直接，道歉就行。

say why and suggest an alternative.

說出原因並提出替代方案。