来源：《卫报》
原文刊登日期：2021年3月27日
[A] Go outside
[B] When in doubt, ask questions
[C] Be the host of the conversation, not the guest
[D] Avoid dead-end inquiry
[E] Explore your mutual shared reality
[F] Don’t probe – reveal
[G] Come prepared
From Monday in England, people will be able to meet outdoors either in a group of six, or in a group of any size from up to two households, including in private gardens.
从星期一开始，英国人将可以在户外聚会，或者六人一组，或者任何大小的两户人家，包括在私人花园。
While this is exciting, it may also be a little daunting – many of us will have forgotten how to socialise normally during the long months of lockdown. Here’s a quick refresher course on the art of making conversation under current guidelines:
虽然这很令人兴奋，但也可能有点令人生畏——在长达几个月的封城期间，我们中的许多人会忘记如何正常社交。这里有一个快速复习课程，教你如何在当前的指导下进行对话：
1. _________________
Imagine that your boring, socially distanced walk is a fun drinks party thrown by you. That means it’s your responsibility to get the conversation started. Don’t wait for others to initiate small talk, jump right in with a topical icebreaker; something like, “How about that big stuck boat? Can you believe it’s still stuck?” That should get the ball rolling.
2. _________________
This is easy when you occupy the same social realm – you can always discuss the moral shortcomings of a mutual acquaintance. But since you and your friends have been trapped in different realities for months, you may have to guess at things you have in common. Try one of the following:
“Feels strange to be wearing shoes, am I right?”
“I’ve loved spending time with my son, but is it weird that I can’t wait for him to move out and get his own place? He’s seven.”
3. _________________
If you haven’t said anything out loud for a few weeks, even a short conversation can be exhausting. When you need a break, tap the ball into someone else’s court with a simple question:
“Acquired any interesting new skills since last year?”
“What are the odds of you going anywhere nice this summer?”
“Do you know anyone who can forge me a pub passport?”
4. _________________
Personal questions have their place, but under the circumstances your friends may feel as if you’re just probing them to see if they’ve broken any lockdown rules. Be assured: they have.
Instead of endlessly probing them about where they got their nails done, try revealing something about yourself that might get them to open up in response: “I’ve been eating with my hands since October – what about you?” Listen carefully to their replies, in case they accidentally confess to some rule-breaking. You can use that information in a conversation with someone else, possibly the police.
5. _________________
This may sound silly, but if you haven’t socialised in ages a few pre-prepared topics can help. Even something as stale as “What would your superpower be?” can provide a conversational lifeline. Be sure to rehearse some answers as well, such as: “the power of issuing or denying pub passports” or “freeing huge stuck ships” or “to be able silence the screaming in my head”.
答案：1C 2E 3B 4F 5G