节目资讯
刊物:空中英语教室
日期:2012-01-14
难易度:Low
关键字:reasonable, cultural, identify, aside, authentic, chef
(Music).
Hello, friends.
Welcome to Studio Classroom Worldwide.
I'm so happy you've joined us today.
My name is Steve.
And my name is Kaylah.
Well, yesterday we started our interview with Francis Beauvais, a small
restaurant owner.
We discussed how we should prepare ourselves for the work we want to do, and how
challenging it can be when there is a language barrier.
You know, Steve, I think it takes a lot of courage to start any business,
especially if you don't speak the local language.
But those aren't the only problems he faced as he started his business.
What do you mean?
Well, Kaylah, he started a restaurant, and people all over the world like
different kinds of food.
You know, I didn't think of that.
Friends, join us on the top of page 31 as we continue discussing the problems
and rewards of starting a business.
Starting a Restaurant.
What makes your business special?
There are many pasta places.
But we stand out by giving people an authentic dining experience at a reasonable
price.
Le Rouge lets people see how pasta tastes in Italy and crepes taste in France.
What has been the hardest thing about running a business?
There were big cultural differences to overcome.
It was very hard for my employees to understand the identity of the restaurant.
Hello, friends.
Thank you for joining us.
My name is Ryan.
And my name is Kaylah.
Friends, what are your dreams?
Do you like working for somebody else, or would you rather work for yourself?
Hmm. That's a great question.
If you would like to work for yourself, then we have good news for you.
Today's article is, again, all about starting your own business.
We are back in our interview between Studio Classroom and Francis Beauvais, a
small business owner right here in Taipei.
That's right. So now we get to see the next question, which is: What makes your
business special?
I hope your business is special if we are interviewing you.
If your business is working, there is probably something very special about it.
And this is a good question to ask for most small business owners.
Some people think that they can just start any restaurant and people will like
it.
But it needs to be special.
There should be a reason people want to go there.
That's right.
You need to stand out among the crowd.
So what is special?
Francis Beauvais answers: There are many pasta places.
That's very true.
But we stand out by giving people an authentic dining experience at a reasonable
price.
OK. So he's right, there are many, many pasta restaurants in most parts of the
world actually.
But his is special because it gives people an authentic dining experience.
Now living in Asia, we can get noodles and pasta all over the place.
This is not something that is hard to find.
But what he is giving us is a really authentic experience.
So when something is "authentic," that means it's realistic, it's true to life.
So hopefully your dining experience is realistic.
Yeah. And in this case, since he is from Canada, and Kaylah, it's probably...
he's probably making European pasta.
And so he's saying it's authentic, it's really European pasta the way you would
find it in Europe.
As well as the dining experience.
And that's how they serve you - where you sit, the decorations, the music, the
waiters - it's truly Western in the way it feels.
It has a very European feel.
But more importantly, it's at a reasonable price.
And this is my favorite part.
Something that is "reasonable" means that they're not asking too much.
And so you get an authentic, a great realistic experience without paying too
much money.
That's right.
Le Rouge lets people see how pasta tastes in Italy and crepes taste in France.
Well, let's visit the Information Station to learn more about that.
Bryan, this week a viewer writes in with this question:
What makes a restaurant great? The food or the service?
Now that's an excellent question, Bill.
Is it the delicious food that makes a restaurant great or is it the level of
service?
I know. That is a great question.
And to answer this question, I'm going to transport you to a world-famous
restaurant.
Wow! Thanks.
How about "Pierre's," that world-famous restaurant in France?
An excellent choice!
Off you go.
But, wait! I don't speak French.
(Background Noise).
I'm here at Pierre's, a famous restaurant in France, to find out what makes a
restaurant great: Food or service?
Excuse me, madame.
May I ask you what makes this restaurant great?
Is it the food or the service?
Oh. An American waiter!
Well, I heard the food is great.
But I'm not sure because I haven't seen my order yet.
Well, I'm sorry to hear that.
Oh, by the way, I don't actually work here, but may I ask how long have you been
waiting?
Well, I've been waiting for like 30 minutes.
Oh, no. Well, I'll come right back to you, madame.
Thank you.
Um, excuse me, sir.
May I ask you is it the food or the service that makes Pierre's such a great
restaurant?
Once I taste the food, I'll let you know.
Uh, sir, have you been waiting for your order too?
Waiting? Come on. I've been here since 8 o'clock this morning.
It's almost noon.
Oh, no. There's been a mistake.
Hey, Bill... Bill, come in.
You sent me to the wrong restaurant.
This Pierre's has terrible service!
Bill, come in.
(Background Noise).
Oops!
Oh. Sorry about that, um... I need to get this thing fixed.
Uh, yeah, a little problem with that transporter.
You can say that again, Bill.
Wow! Well, we still haven't answered our viewer's question, have we?
Well, actually, Bryan, I think we have found our answer.
A great restaurant must have both delicious food and fast and polite service.
You're right, Bill.
After visiting Pierre's, I can truly say the fast service is very important.
Good point.
Now let's fix that machine.
See you all here next time at...
Information Station.
All right. Now the next question by Studio Classroom is: What has been the
hardest thing about running a business?
That's a good question.
It's not easy, but what is the hardest?
Well, Francis answers: There were big cultural differences to overcome.
That's true.
"Cultural," something that is "cultural" is referring to the traditions and the
beliefs of a certain society.
It even crosses into the habits.
So even if we don't always do traditional things, what becomes a habit is part
of the culture.
OK. So he's talking about Taiwanese culture then since his restaurant is in the
Taipei area.
And those were difficult to overcome.
He says: It was very hard for my employees to understand the identity of the
restaurant.
Now we said earlier that his restaurant is very European in feel,
so it would be difficult for someone who's never been to Europe to understand
the identity of that.
Right. "Identity" is referring to knowing who someone is or what something is.
And so in order for people to understand the restaurant, they need to figure out
its identity.
And that's exactly what the waiters and waitresses, the employees at the
restaurant had to do is find the identity and where they fit in at this
restaurant.
Right. So that would have been a challenge.
That would have been difficult for them.
And of course, there are many other challenges that come when you're starting a
business.
Well, now let's go watch today's skit.
Are you ready to order?
What do you want?
Pizza, pasta, crepes or appetizers?
You know, I can get pizza and pasta in lots of other places.
What makes your restaurant so special?
That's easy.
We stand out because we give customers an authentic dining experience.
Authentic dining experience?
Oh, yes.
See how pasta tastes in Italy.
See how crepes taste in France.
Oh. So the food really is authentic.
Mmhm. And all for reasonable prices.
Oh! That is special.
So, are you ready to order now?
We serve...
So what is the hardest thing about running your business?
Overcoming cultural differences.
Service and food preparation are done differently here.
My employees have to understand the identity of the restaurant.
Oh. Identity?
Yes. It has to be an authentic dining experience.
You know, I think I would like to try that.
Good. Then order Italian pizza.
Or do you want French crepes?
I want... I want to know what is the success you are most proud of.
We have adjusted to local tastes.
Most chefs won't change their recipes.
But I've put pride aside, I give people dishes they really like.
That's why our restaurant is so successful.
Well, then I can't wait to try the food.
Let's see, I'll have pizza and pasta and appetizers...
Ah... sorry.
You're too late.
The restaurant is closed.
Well, but...