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in place

 
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river1974



Joined: 20 May 2003
Posts: 525
Location: Taiwan

PostPosted: Sat May 28, 2005 8:41 pm    Post subject: in place Reply with quote

Dear teachers:

These two young men have a number of quirks *in place* to keep their staff happy while working in their company.

Does "in place" here mean "properly"?

Thanks.
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asterix



Joined: 26 Jan 2003
Posts: 1654

PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2005 2:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

in place means that these "quirks" are already established as part of the company's operating procedures.
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bud



Joined: 09 Mar 2003
Posts: 2111
Location: New Jersey, US

PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2005 10:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

But are you sure quirks is right, River? I wonder if it should be perks instead?
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river1974



Joined: 20 May 2003
Posts: 525
Location: Taiwan

PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2005 6:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you both. The sentence is a quotation from the material of my cram school. According to the corresponding Chinese translation thereof, "quirks" means "peculiar behavior or habit". I am not sure if the translation is right because my cram school teacher says, "Don't trust the corresponding translations, they are incorrect frequently!"
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asterix



Joined: 26 Jan 2003
Posts: 1654

PostPosted: Mon May 30, 2005 2:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think even a quirk can be a perk, so Bud is probably correct.
I have heard that at some places, particularly high pressure companies that deal in computer programming, they have such quirky perks as being allowed to play video games, and work out in the company gym to relieve stress.
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river1974



Joined: 20 May 2003
Posts: 525
Location: Taiwan

PostPosted: Mon May 30, 2005 5:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thansk asterix. Many hi-tech companies in Taiwan have their own gyms. But I rarely heard that the employees in the hi-tech company go to the gym in their working hours. It would be very enjoyable if I could go swimming and then have some coffee in my working hours. Laughing
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asterix



Joined: 26 Jan 2003
Posts: 1654

PostPosted: Tue May 31, 2005 2:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I believe those are the kind of things that we are talking about. You should suggest to your company that this would be a good idea. Many IT professionals work very long hours, so the company is getting good value from them.
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bud



Joined: 09 Mar 2003
Posts: 2111
Location: New Jersey, US

PostPosted: Tue May 31, 2005 11:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Perhaps it is a tough call whether it should be quirks or perks. Certainly a quirk is a peculiar behaviour or habit, but it seems odd to my ear to say that quirks are somehow keeping employees happy. Maybe Asterix' quirky perks is best, as it captures the flavor of both words. It also rhymes, which seems to appeal to many English speakers.
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