Where are we going?

2008年8月第4週分 Lesson 11  Videoconferencing vs. Traveling (3)

《ディクテーション・ノート》

● 今日のテーマ

The gang comments on how the personal touch remains an important aspect of doing business and so many people prefer face-to-face meetings.

● march of technology テクノロジーの進歩

Cortez talks about the "march of technology". March in this case means progress or forward movement. It’s related to the verb "to march," which is to walk forward. March is also used in marching band. It’s a band that doesn’t sit on chairs to play; they walk around.

・ the march of something the steady development or forward movement of something : the march of progress / technology / time  (OALD)

● press the flesh 握手する

Cortez also talks about "pressing the flesh." It might sound sort of strange, unless you know what it really means is "shake hands." It tends to be used for politicians going out and meeting constituents; they shake hands, maybe exchange a couple of phrases, and that’s about it. A similar phrase is "meet-and-greet." I’ve been hearing that recently. A "meet-and-greet" could be with politicians, sometimes it’s celebrities or the writers of books might have a meet-and-greet, where they talk to fans and shake hands and, you know, exchange greetings.

・ press the flesh    to shake hands with a lot of people - used humorously: The President reached into the crowd to press the flesh. (LDOCE)

・ meet-and-greet 1は「サイン会・握手会」，2がこの後でMatsushitaさんが語源として挙げているもの，3は親の学校参観みたいなもの(?)

1    an event that is organized for famous musicians, writers, artists etc to meet and talk to their fans: There will be a meet-and-greet after the show.
2    a service that sends people to greet and help a person or group when they arrive at an airport
3    an event in which parents go to their child’s school and meet the teachers and other people who work there   (LDOCE)

"Meet-and-greet" seems to come originally from the travel industry to talk about going to the airport to meet travelers.

● personal touch 人と人のふれあい

The phrase "the personal touch" is usually used when you want to talk about something that’s customized, unique or personal — something that you can only do in person or face to face.

・ personal touch    something you do to make something special, or that makes someone feel special: It’s those extra personal touches that make our service better.  (LDCOE)  機械的な冷たい感じを避けるための人間味

● come into play ものを言う，作用し始める

・ When something comes into play or is brought into play, it begins to be used or to have an effect. :  The real existence of a military option will come into play.   (COBUILD)

● for real [形] 本物の，本気の [副] 本当に，実際に，本気で

・ for real  genuine or serious : This is not a fire drill — it’s for real. (OALD)

● fill ～ to capacity ～を満たす，いっぱいにする

・ The hall was filled to capacity.  = was completely full

● old-fashioned 昔ながらの，古風な

Although the phrase old-fashioned makes it sound like it’s not in fashion any more. That’s not the meaning of the phrase. Old-fashioned means it’s an older style. But I think old-fashioned tends to be used when an older style is still popular, even if it’s not actually fashionable.

・ Something such as a style, method, or device that is old-fashioned is no longer used, done, or admired by most people, because it has been replaced by something that is more modern. : The house was dull, old-fashioned and in bad condition.  /  There are some traditional farmers left who still make cheese the old-fashioned way.  (COBUILD)

● sit back ゆったりすわる，くつろぐ

・ sit back  to sit on sth, usually a chair, in a relaxed position

● doze まどろむ，うたた寝する

To doze is to sleep. But it’s a specific kind of sleeping. It’s usually, for example, if you’re sitting up in a chair and you sleep lightly for a short time, that would be dozing. You could say "you doze off," or "nod off." And that focuses a bit more on the point where you fall asleep.

・ doze off    to go to sleep, especially when you did not intend to [= drop off, nod off]: I must have dozed off.  (LDOCE)

● take a turn for the worse 悪化する

・ If a situation takes a turn for the worse, it suddenly becomes worse. If a situation takes a turn for the better, it suddenly becomes better. : Her condition took a sharp turn for the worse.  (COBUILD)

● on open market 市場に出回って

The open market is a phrase that refers to markets that are open and competitive and have few or no restrictions. A similar phrase is a free market. But free market tends to be used when you are talking specifically about economics and politics. Open market tends to be connected more with business and commerce.

・ open market   Goods that are bought and sold on the open market are advertised and sold to anyone who wants to buy them. (BUSINESS) : The Central Bank is authorized to sell government bonds on the open market.  (COBUILD)

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