削减繁文缛节_其他_趣味英语-查字典英语网

削减繁文缛节

PCutting through the red tape/P

Simple as that?

No. That’s too simple for the clerk’s comfort. That makes him too much like a public servant doing a public service. That does no help to his ego, self esteem or worth.

And so he invents, er, obstacles. He makes things difficult. If he could sign his name today, he won’t do it. He says instead: “Alright, everything’s here. You’re all set. Come in next December.”

It would take that long, you ask, wondering.

“Yes,” replies he curtly. “We’ll discuss it. To be totally frank with you, I foresee thirty three meetings. And the final approval won’t be made, of course, until the big boss comes back from a visit to America.”

Now you as a businessmen can’t wait that long. Therefore you find someone who can “help you to cut through the red tape”.

That someone is someone who knows the big boss personally, or someone who knows someone who knows the big boss personally. In short, someone who has the connections, as we Chinese say.

On your behalf this someone offers the big boss token gifts, such as a Parker pen, or invites him to banquets, karaoke bars, massage parlors, Paris, Bali or Las Vegas.