Consideration(体谅),就是顾及他人的要求,愿望,感情等等。现在西方国家的商人强调“多为顾客着想”。不少西方国家的作者,非常重视写信的态度问题,他们认为“体谅”就是采取收信人的态度(YourAttitude),就是写信时要“目中有人”,要把收信人放在心上,考虑他的愿望,问题,背景,感情和对此信所可能作出的反应等等,然后从“他”的观点出发来处理事情。
有人还这样说:“要记住b-u-s-i-n-e-s-s(业务,买卖)这个字里有u和i,但u(与You同音)在i之前。这是你要记住的次序。”
"Remember that the word b-u-s-i-n-e-s-s contains both U and I, but the U comes beforethe I. This is a good sequence for you to remember.
与“收信人的态度”We attitude)相反的是“写信人的态度”(you attitude),也就是一切事情都是从写信人或是他所代表的单位的立场出发看问题和处理问题。现举例比较如下:
"We attitude" "You attitude"
We allow 2 percent discount for cash payment You earn 2 percent discount when you pay cash
(如付现款,我们给九八折。) (您付现款时,可打九八折。)
We are pleased to announce that ………… You will be pleased to know that…………
(我们高兴地宣布。。。) (你们将愉快地得知。。。)
We want you to do it. You will no doubt do it
(我们要你们这样做。) (毫无疑问,你们将这样做。)
We follow this policy, because ……. You will benefit from this policy, because…..
(我们遵循这个政策,因为。。。) (你们将从这个政策中得益,因为。。。)
We sold 4,000doz. Handkerchiefs of this description last month. You and other importers like you bought 4,000 doz. Handkerchiefs of this description last month.
(上个月我们卖出4000打这种规格的手绢。) (上个月你们和其他同行进口商买进了4000打这种规格的手绢。)