英文阅读：What makes Russia tick?
Reader question: In this passage – Western illusions that Russia might sidewith America against the regime in Zimbabwe betray a basic lack of understanding
of what makes Russia tick, says Dmitri Trenin of the Carnegie Moscow Centre, a
think-tank. These days, Russian thinking divides the world into America and its
docile friends on one hand, and "sovereign" countries, like China, India and
South Africa on the other. Given Russia's aim to speak for the second camp, its
veto was logical—and as Russian officials stressed, it reflected the African
Union line (Russia and the UN: The Return of Mr Nyet, The Economist, July 17,
2008) – what does "makes Russia tick" mean?
My comments: "What makes Russia (or a person) tick" is an idiom. Here it
means "what makes Russians do what they do", that is, veto sanctions against
Zimbabwe over human rights abuses and rigged elections.
And why did they do that? I ask you.
No, I am not talking about Zimbabwe's rigged elections – I'm not so
inquisitive. I am asking about the Russians. Why did they, along with China,
block UN sanctions?
Well, if you ask me, I'll say: It's hard to say. Geo-politics being
geo-politics, I'm sure you'll forgive me for being diplomatic.
Let's instead focus on "what makes a person tick" the idiom itself. The way
with an idiom, you see, is that it may consist of several commonplace words. So
commonplace that individually we understand them perfectly. Put together,
however, they seem to take on some new meaning, which we can't always logically
infer (from reading each individual word).
However, I'm going to give it a try and analyze "what makes a person tick"
verbatim, word for word. What makes a person tick.
What...makes...a...person...tick. Tick. Tick, tock, the clock starts to work.
What makes a clock tick.
Yes, do you know what makes a clock tick? In other words, do you know what
makes the Earth spin? Do you know what makes you who you are, with all your
quirks and idiosyncrasies?
Exactly. This idiom points to the subtle reasons that make a person act the
way he does, that which motivates him, that particular which that makes him
different.
I'm not encouraging you to figure out idioms through wild guesswork, but it
seems to have worked this time, to a degree at any rate. Anyways, I've got some
great examples to show and so let's not dawdle over definitions. All examples,
by the way, are handpicked (just like some candidates are handpicked in
elections – some candidates, that is, in at least some elections).
1. What Makes a Business Leader Tick
Another surprise is CEOs who just feel incredibly fortunate. Often they say
that they don't understand why they're so lucky to be able to run a company, to
be in their position, that one day they're going to be discovered. Psychologists
call this the impostor syndrome, where people feel they don't really deserve
their position – any more than lots of other people – and are just lucky to be
there.
The line of reasoning is, "If they knew how much fun I was having, how I
get to work with fabulous people, how I'm getting paid millions of dollars...
one of these days someone is going to find me out." These CEOs consider
themselves really blessed to be in their positions. They fully realize that
there are others who are qualified to do their jobs, and they're just thankful
they're the guy who got the nod.
- Business Week, June 19, 2007.
2. England coach Kevin Keegan has defended star midfielder David Beckham -
and told the Manchester United rebel that he will start the friendly against
Argentina at Wembley on Wednesday night.
...
"In David I see a very determined character who loves playing football and
he is an exceptional trainer. "
"All players are different. Alan Shearer is different to David Beckham who
is totally different to Paul Scholes and Emile Heskey. They are all individually
different. What makes one tick is different to what makes another tick. "
"David Beckham has to live under slightly different pressures than some of
the other players and I think they understand that as well."
- Keegan keeps faith with Beckham, wldcup.com, February 21, 2000.
3. What is required in the dating process and what is often so sorely
lacking is an authentic curiosity for another. Curiosity is such a powerful
relationship builder! To show infinite curiosity of another's life, work and
interests, what makes one tick or what "ticks one off" is to experience awe and
reverence on the deepest level. Curiosity allows the other to reveal his/her
inner self without feeling subjected to an interrogation, without a feeling of
defensiveness.
With this mindset, we enter into an exciting adventure, a process which
cannot be rushed or concluded after a date or two. Getting to know a person from
the inside out, allowing their neshama to shine will usually result in a far
more positive view of the purely physical aspect of that person.
- Jewish dating: Inner beauty is the real beauty, sawyouatsinai.com.
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