【kaka礼节美语】122 都是文化差异害的 1
中国雇员Cathy忧心忡忡地去找美国同事Mark请教。
Kathy: Hey Mark...do you mind if I ask you a couple of questions?
Mark: No problem, I've got time.
K: Great! Well, I'm going to Seattle for half a year. I'm attending a course at a university and I'll be doing some research as well.
Mark: Sounds like fun!
K: Yes. ---1---. You know how here in China we have lots of little things that are considered impolite...what if I do something wrong in America? I'd be so embarrassed if that happened!
原来，Kathy要去西雅图进修半年，但是担心自己对美国文化和风土人情了解不够，会在小事情上闹笑话，让自己难堪，embarrassed。
Mark: Ah, I see! Actually, we have a great word in English that describes making a cultural mistake...it's called a "faux pas" and it's actually originally a French term.
K: So I should say I want to avoid any cultural "faux pas?"
Mark: That's correct. You know, actually you shouldn't worry too much. ---2---.
K: Oh? Such as?
Mark说，这种文化上的失误叫faux pas。 Faux pas是从法语来的。前面可以用动词avoid避免或是commit犯下。Mark安慰Cathy说，美国是一个很随便的国家，American is a pretty relaxed country. 不过还是有些地方需要注意。Such as? 比如说呢？
Mark: Americans - and western people in general - ---3---.
K: Oh...so I should be careful after eating spicy foods, right?
Mark: Yep. ---4---.
K: That's a good thing to remember. How about when I visit a friend's home? What should I bring?
Mark说，西方人对气味非常敏感，中国人喜欢吃的大蒜等食物，都会留下十分浓重的味道，It's best to chew gum or use a breath freshener. 所以最好嚼嚼口香糖，设法去去嘴里的味儿。去朋友家作客，带点儿什么呢？
Mark: ---5---.
K: But should it be an expensive gift?
Mark: No, the price is not so important. ---6---.
如果宾主双方都喝酒的话，带瓶葡萄酒绝对没错，否则的话，可以考虑带点水果或是甜点。礼物不一定要非常贵重，能够表达对主人的关心和对邀请的感激就可以了。http://t1.g.hjfile.cn/listen/201204/201204250514357534214.mp3But I'm really worried that I don't understand American culture well enough
America is a pretty relaxed country, but there are a couple things you should be aware of
can be very sensitive about smells
Things like garlic or various Chinese dishes can have a strong smell. It's best to chew gum or use a breath freshener
If you and your guest drink alcohol, it's always nice to bring a bottle of wine. If wine is a problem, you could try fruit or some kind of dessert
Just bring something to show you care about your hosts and are grateful for their invitation凯西:嘿马克···介意我请教你一些问题吗？
马克：没问题，我有时间。
凯西：太棒了！好吧，我将要去西雅图半年。我参加一所大学的课程和做一些研究。
马克：听起来很好啊！
凯西：是的。但我真的很担心我不够了解美国的文化。你知道的，我们中国有很多被认为是不礼貌的小东西......如果我在美国做错事呢？如果真的发生那会很尴尬的。
马克：嗯，我想想！事实上，我们在英语中有一个很恰恰的词来描述文化的错误···这种文化上的失误叫faux pas，Faux pas是从法语来的。
凯西：所以，我得说我想避免任何文化的“失礼？”
马克：这是正确的。你知道，事实上你不需要担心那么多。美国是一个很随便的国家，不过还是有些地方需要注意。
凯西：哦？比如说呢？
马克：美国人-就一般的西方人-西方人对气味非常敏感。
凯西：噢···所以，我应该小心吃辛辣食物，对吗？
马克：是的。像大蒜和一些有强烈气味的中国菜。最好嚼口香糖，或者使用口气清新剂。
凯西：这是很容易记住的事。那我该如何去访问朋友家？应该带些什么？
马克：如果宾主双方都喝酒的话，带瓶葡萄酒绝对没错，否则的话，可以考虑带点水果或是甜点。
凯西：礼物应该要昂贵点的啊？
马克：不，礼物不一定要非常贵重，能够表达对主人的关心和对邀请的感激就可以了。
——译文来自: zhangpeizhu
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