Customs You Can't Neglect

The culture is a plain custom,and the custom is a colorful culture.The country is the world of the soul,the city is the world of bodies.

文化是無色的風俗，風俗是多彩的文化；鄉村是靈魂的世界，城市是肉體的國度。

星期五的魚

Fish on Friday

On Fridays the specials that many restaurants offer are fish-and-chips and clam chowder;on Fridays fish also appears on the family table.The practice is a secular[1] survival of religious customs that go back to the beginning of Christianity.

Jesus and the Apostles,like the Jews and the shamans of traditional societies,recognized that going without food was a means not only of hardening the body but of intensifying spiritual insight.They recommended fasting to accompany prayer,and the church fathers followed their lead.Although local customs vary,throughout most of Christian history,the faithful followers have been urged to practice both fasting and abstinence[2] during Lent and on various church holidays.By fasting,the church means taking only one meal a day,generally after mid-afternoon;abstinence means avoiding certain foods.The foods prohibited by the custom of abstinence have varied from time to time,but generally animal flesh as well as dairy products and eggs has been included.

From about the ninth century onward,fish is exempted from the “meat list”,and for that reason it becomes a common food for abstainer.It is especially evident on Fridays because Fridays are designated days of abstinence in commemoration of the Friday Crucifix-fasting and abstinence,for it has become clear by that time that a lobster dinner or fried clam special tends to distract the faithful[3] from the spiritual aspects of denial that the custom is supposed to enhance.

名人語庫

Fish,to taste right,must swim three times—in water,in butter,and in wine.

～Polish Proverb

魚，如果想要好吃，必須在三個地方游過——水里，黃油里，酒里。

——波蘭諺語

在星期五，許多餐館推出的特色菜是油煎魚加炸土豆，還有傳統的文蛤周打湯；每到星期五，家庭的餐桌上也可以看到魚。這是一種追溯至基督早期，并且幸存于現世的傳統風俗。

像傳統社會中的猶太教徒和薩滿法師一樣，耶穌和他的門徒認為，不進食，不僅是對身體的一種鍛造，而且還會增強精神的領悟。于是他們建議禱告者齋戒，而教父們也隨之效仿。盡管在基督歷史上，不同地方的風俗各有不同，可是，在四旬齋和各種教堂節日上，虔誠的教徒們既要齋戒，又要禁食。齋戒就意味著教堂一天只吃一頓飯，吃飯時間通常是在下午3點左右；禁食就是要避開一些食物。禁食時禁止吃的食物隨著時間不斷變化，但通常都會包括動物的肉、奶制品和雞蛋。

大約從9世紀開始，魚就被從“肉類單”上排除開來，正因如此，它才成為禁食者的常規食品。在星期五尤為如此，因此，為了紀念星期五的十字架禁食，這一天被定為禁食日，到了那時，人們就明白，龍蝦筵或炸蛤餐將會分散人們在精神上克制的虔誠之心，而吃魚則會增強這種虔誠心。

注釋

[1]secular['sekj?l?（r）] a.現世的，俗界的；長期的，長久的；不朽的；一世紀一次的

[2]abstinence['?bst?n?ns] n.節制；節欲；戒酒

[3]faithful['fe?θfl] a.虔誠的；忠誠的；正確的

英美小費大不同

The Differences ofTips Between UKand US

“Tipping”，“gratuity” or “service” is handled very differently in the UK and America.It's important to get this right when you visit each place as it can affect whether the staff in bars,cafe,restaurant,hotels,hairdressers,and the drivers of taxis or buses think that you are lovely,rude,strange,or whether they chase you down the street!

In the UK

In the UK the reason for tipping is to show that you really liked the service.In the UK we have a high minimum wage,and no-one can be paid below this amount for any work,so when you tip,it is mainly showing politeness to the service person,and to acknowledge that they did an excellent job.

You can tip more or less depending on how good you thought the service was,and the average tip is around 10—20%.So if you loved your new 50 pound haircut,you should add another 5—10 pounds onto your bill,and this will go directly to the hairdresser!If you didn't like the service,don't is the case even if “service” has been added to your bill.If you didn't like the service,you can always refuse to pay.Or if you are a student,traveller on a budget,or simply can't afford to,it's also ok not to spend the extra money.

In the US

In the US,you will often hear “tips” called “service”.It is essential to tip in the US,because the waitresses,bar staff,maitre'd's in these industries are paid a low wage which they cannot afford to live on,and therefore your tip is much needed by them.

It is actually part of the payment that you make and very often is not optional!Especially in restaurants,if you do not pay the service,you have not paid your entire bill,so watch out!

The best way to cheer youself up is to try to cheer somebody else up.

tip!This

文化小課堂

不同的國家有不同的付小費習慣，小費及其數目是一種社會習俗，依據文化背景和行業的不同各異。當然，法律并沒有規定必須付小費，小費的數目也是完全由顧客做主。

在英國和美國，處理“小費”“賞錢”或“服務費”的方式大不相同。當你到訪這兩個國家時，付對小費是非常重要的，因為這會讓酒吧、咖啡館、餐廳、酒店的員工、美發師、出租車或公車司機用兩種態度對待你，要么認為你可愛、粗俗、奇怪，要么在街上追著你要錢！

在英國

在英國，給小費是為了表示你確實很滿意這個服務。英國的最低工資很高，無論什么工作都不能支付低于這個標準的酬勞，因此，你給小費主要是向提供服務的人顯示你的彬彬有禮，同時承認他們的工作完成得很好。

你付的小費多少取決于你對服務認可的程度，小費平均在10—20%左右。因此，如果你喜愛花費50英鎊的新發型，就應該再加5—10英鎊，這可是直接給美發師的錢！如果你不喜歡這個服務，就不用付小費！即使“小費”已經加到賬單上，你也可以不付。如果你不喜歡這個服務，你總是可以拒絕付小費的。又如果你是學生、想省錢的游客，或只是單純地付不起，不花這額外的錢也是可以的。

在美國

在美國，你會常常聽到人們把“小費”叫作“服務費”。付小費在美國非常重要，因為服務生、酒吧員工和這些行業的總管，他們的酬勞都很低，生存很艱難，因此他們十分需要你的小費。

實際上，這部分你需要付的錢通常不是可付可不付的！特別是在餐廳，如果你不付服務費，你就沒有付完全款，所以要注意哦！

讓自己高興起來的最好辦法就是設法讓別人高興起來。

摘帽禮

Tipping One's Hat

Few Americans tip their hats today,partly because etiquette has loosened and partly because they don't wear hats.Until the 1950s,however,men commonly tipped their hats to women,and removed them entirely indoors and in elevators.（In 1949,the first known guidelines for elevator etiquette were issued:men were told to leave their hats on because too many women were complaining of knocks on their heads when men saluted in crowds.）But in the 18th century it was not considered bad manners to wear their hats indoors.A man would take it off to greet a lady,but then he would put it right back on his head.The reason for doing so is perfectly plain.In the first place,the hat served as a badge of rank through most of the history,a visible mark of status.This tradition may have its roots in Roman times.In ancient Rome,a head covering was a symbol of social or political superiority.In the second place,one could not draw a sword easily if he was holding the hat in his hand.

Just as covering the head symbolized dominance,so uncovering it symbolized submission.Ever since the early Middle Ages,to remove one's hat—whether it was made of cloth or metal—has signified obedience.The original sense of the custom is mirrored in the expressions “with hat in hand”（which means “showing excessive respect,and too eager to obey and serve”）,and “I take my hat off to him”（which means “I express my admiration for him”）.

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.

文化小課堂

中國人通常是見面后點點頭、握握手、行拱手禮或微微欠身再握手。在美國，擁抱禮、親吻禮、吻手禮都是常見的見面禮，至于古老的摘帽禮已很少見了。頭戴頂蓋表示擁有統治地位，摘掉它就表示投降。

現在的美國人已經很少摘帽，一方面是因為禮節不再嚴格，另一方面則是因為他們不再戴帽子。但直到20世紀50年代，通常情況下，男士都還會向女士摘帽示意，并在室內和電梯里完全脫帽。1949年，已知的第一份電梯禮節指南發布，要求男士切勿脫帽，因為女士們都抱怨若男士在人多時脫帽示意，帽子就會砸到她們的腦袋。可是，在18世紀，在室內戴帽也不被當作不禮貌的行為。男士會摘帽歡迎女士，但他馬上又會戴上。這么做的原因很簡單：首先，歷史中的絕大多數時候，帽子都象征著等級，是看得見的地位標志。這個傳統可能源于羅馬時期。在古羅馬，頂蓋是社會或政治優越性的表征。其次，一個人如果把帽子拿在手上，就不方便拔劍了。

頭戴頂蓋表示擁有統治地位，摘掉就表示投降。從中世紀早期開始，無論是布制的還是金屬制的帽子，摘帽都意味著服從。這一習俗的原始意義在兩個俗語中有所體現：“手拿帽子”——意為“表現過度尊重，急欲服從和服務”；而“我向他脫帽”——意為“我向他表達敬佩之情”。

善良是一種聾子能聽見、盲人能看見的語言。

西方的百年婚禮

The Wedding Traditions of Western

The wedding tradition of “something old,something new,something borrowed,something blue” has been around for hundreds of years.Many brides have been asked on their respective wedding days if they have gathered something old,new,borrowed and blue to carry with them as they walk down the aisle.The tradition of carrying or wearing one of each item is said to bring luck and fortune to the newly married couple.Have you ever stopped to think what the saying really means?What is its origin and what does each item represent?

The original saying dates back to the Victoria times and states,“Something old,something new,something borrowed,something blue and a silver sixpence in your shoe.”

1.Something old...

A bride may wear or carry something old to represent her continued ties to her family and her old life.Many brides wear a piece of family jewelry as their old item.Some brides wear the wedding dress worn by their mother or grandmother.In many cases,something old may also be something borrowed.

2.Something new...

Wearing something new is supposed to represent success and hope in the bride's new life and in her marriage.If the bride purchased her wedding dress new,it may represent her new item,but any item that is new may be used.Something “new” is usually the easiest category[1] to fill.

3.Something borrowed...

The borrowed item should be something borrowed from a friend that is happily married.It is suggested that their happiness will rub off on you and bring lasting happiness to your marriage.Some brides borrow an item of clothing,a piece of jewelry,a handkerchief or perhaps a beaded purse.

4.Something blue...

Wearing something blue dates back to biblical times when a blue wedding dress was worn to represent purity,fidelity[2] and love.Over time this has changed from wearing a blue dress to wearing just a blue band around the bottom of the bride's wedding dress to modern times where it is commonplace for the bride to wear a blue garter.

5.Silver:sixpence...

Placing a silver sixpence in the bride's left shoe is said to be a symbol of wealth.This not only refers to financial wealth,but also a wealth of happiness and joy throughout her married life.Since most brides probably don't even know what a sixpence is,this part of the tradition is not used very often in modern times.However,if a bride would like to include it in her wedding,she can purchase a silver sixpence from many companies that sell bridal[3] supplies such as garters and invitations.

Some brides are more traditional than other and may take a great deal of care in selecting one item for each category.It may be traditional for the women in their families to wear the same piece of jewelry.

Other brides aren't bound by tradition but still may choose to carry out the custom at someone else's request.If they don't want to carry numerous items,they may simply carry two handkerchiefs in a small beaded bag—she may choose to buy a new,white handkerchief and borrow a blue one from a family member.That would provide them with something new—the white handkerchief,as well as something that is old,borrowed and blue—the blue handkerchief.The handkerchief just may come in handy during the wedding for drying their joyful tears.

名人語庫

Love is not a maybe thing,you know when you love someone.

～Lauren Conrad

愛不是什么可能、大概、也許，一旦愛上了，便是確定無疑。

——勞倫·康拉德

“有舊、有新、有借、有藍”的婚禮習俗已有數百年歷史。在她們各自的婚禮當天，許多新娘都會被問及是否準備好“舊、新、借、藍”帶在身上來完成婚禮儀式。據說，穿戴這每一件服飾的傳統各有獨特的涵義，但都能給新婚夫婦帶來好運和財富。你是否想過這到底是什么意思？是否想過它的起源和每件服飾的涵義？

最初的說法要追溯到維多利亞時代，那時的原話是：“有舊，有新，有借，有藍；還要在一只鞋里放上一枚6便士銀幣。”

1.有舊……

新娘可以穿著或佩戴一樣舊物來象征她和她娘家及過去生活之間的關系。關于“有舊”，許多新娘會佩戴一件家傳的珠寶飾品。有些新娘穿著她們母親或祖母穿過的婚紗。許多時候，舊的東西同時也可作為借來的東西。

2.有新……

穿新衣物則代表新娘在新生活和婚姻中獲得成功和希望。如果新娘購買了新的婚紗，就能代表“有新”，但其他新的東西也可以。“有新”常常是最容易做到的。

3.有借……

“借”，應該從一位幸福的已婚朋友那里借來衣服。據說你會沾染他們的幸福，它還會給你的婚姻帶來長久幸福。有些新娘會去借一件衣服、一件首飾、一塊手帕，或者一個裝飾著珠子的手袋。

4.有藍……

穿藍色衣服源于《圣經》時代，當時，藍色婚紗代表著純潔、忠誠和愛情。隨著時間的推移，這一傳統已從穿藍色婚紗，演變成在新娘的婚紗下擺處鑲一圈藍色的飾帶，再演變成現在通用的——新娘穿藍色的吊襪帶。

5.有銀：6便士銀幣……

據說，在新娘的左邊鞋子里放一枚6便士銀幣，象征著財富。而且，不僅如此，它還表示婚姻生活幸福美滿。如今，許多新娘恐怕連6便士是什么樣子都不知道，所以，這種傳統在現代婚禮中已經不常見了。但是，如果新娘想要遵循這種傳統，也可以到賣吊帶襪和請柬等婚禮用品的公司購買6便士銀幣。

有些較為傳統的新娘或許會花大量心思去挑選每一件服飾。同一家族的女性佩戴同一件首飾也是一種傳統。

即便有些新娘不為傳統束縛，但也會在別人的要求下遵循這一傳統。如果她們不想穿戴那么多，還可以拿一個小的珠子手袋，里面裝上兩塊手帕——買一塊新的白色手帕，然后從家人那里借一塊藍色手帕，這樣她們就既“有新”——白色手帕，又“有舊、有借、有藍”了——藍色手帕。手帕在婚禮中正好可以用來擦拭幸福的淚水。

注釋

[1]category['k?t?g?ri] n.類型，部門，種類，類別，類目

[2]fidelity[f?'del?ti] n.忠誠，忠實；逼真，保真度；盡責

[3]bridal['bra?dl] a.新婚的，婚禮的；新人的，新娘的

眉目傳情

The Boy and Girl Glance

The boy and girl glance around the crowded room.Their eyes meet.Embarrassed,they look away.Nervously,they steal glances at each other,averting their eyes when they see the other one looking back.The boy acts cool,crossing his legs and affecting a casual air—even though his heart is beating wildly.The girl,obviously smitten herself,is afraid the boy will see her looking at him.A few seconds pass.He looks at her again.She starts to blush.He nervously looks at the ceiling and whistles softly to himself.They continue their cat-and-mouse game for a seemingly inter-minable period of time.Will they ever talk to each other?

The fact is,they have already communicated a lot,without ever saying anything.Nonverbal elements form a major part of any communication interchange.Some people would say it's the most important part.According to one study,words convey only 7 percent of a person's message.Intonation and voice quality communicate 38 percent,and nonverbal cues transmit a whopping 55 percent.That means people pick up more from nonverbal communication than from the words a person says.When studying about a foreign culture then,it just makes sense to pay attention to how people use nonverbal cues.

Gestures comprise a major form of nonverbal communication.In contrast to sign language,used by deaf people to communicate elaborate messages,gestures function as visual icons which represent a single idea.But often these gestures are embarrassingly culture-bound.For example,when the Maoris of New Zealand stick out their tongue at someone,it is a sign of respect.When American schoolchildren make the same gesture,it means just the opposite.Also,Americans often indicate “OK” with their thumb and fore finger touching to form a circle.The same gesture means “money” to the Japanese,“zero” to the French and a vulgarity to Brazilians.For that reason,people in a foreign culture must use gestures with caution.

Another cultural aspect of nonverbal communication is one that you might not think about:space.Every person perceives himself to have a sort of invisible shield surrounding his physical body.When someone comes too close,he feels uncomfortable.When he bumps into someone,he feels obligated to apologize.But the size of a person's “comfort zone” varies,depending on his cultural or ethnic origin.For example,in casual conversation,many Americans stand about four feet apart.In other words,they like to keep each other “at arm's length.” People in Latin or Arab cultures,in contrast,stand very close to each other,and touch each other often.If someone from one of those cultures stands too close to an American while in conversation,the American may feel uncomfortable and back away.

When Americans are talking,they expect others to respond to what they are saying.To Americans,polite conversationalists empathize by displaying expressions of excitement or disgust,shock or sadness.People with a “poker face,” whose emotions are hidden by a deadpan expression,are looked upon with suspicion.Americans also indicate their attentiveness in a conversation by raising their eyebrows,nodding,smiling politely and maintaining good eye contact.Whereas some cultures view direct eye contact as impolite or threatening,Americans see it as a sign of genuineness and honesty.If a person doesn't look you in the eye,Americans might say you should question his motives—or assume that he doesn't like you.Yet with all the concern for eye contact,Americans still consider staring—especially at strangers—to be rude.

Considering the influence of nonverbal communication,we never really stop communicating.How we walk,how we stand,how we use our hands,how we position our bodies,how we show emotions—all send a message to others.That's why it's possible,as the saying goes,to “read someone like a book”.And if you read the person right,as the boy and girl in the crowded room later discovered,it just might turn into a love story.

名人語庫

Anyone who conducts an argument by appealing to authourity is not using his intelligence;he is just using his memory.

～Da Vinci

一個借著引經據典來辯論的人，不是在運用自己的才智，他是在運用自己的記憶力。

——達·芬奇

擁擠的房間里，男孩和女孩四下環視。他們的目光相遇了，有些尷尬，又都向別處看去。他們懷著忐忑的心情，偷偷地瞥了對方一眼，對方回視，又移開視線。男孩舉止很酷，翹著二郎腿，即便心跳加速，但瀟灑氣質不減。女孩顯然被他迷住了，害怕男孩會看到自己正盯著他看。幾秒過去了。他又看了她一眼。她臉紅了。他緊張地看著天花板，輕輕地兀自吹起了口哨。他們似乎沒完沒了地玩起了貓捉老鼠的游戲。他們會搭上話嗎？

事實上，雖然他們什么也沒說，但已經交流了很多內容。任何信息交流的過程中，非語言元素都占主體，有些人還會認為這部分最為重要。某研究顯示，文字僅傳遞了7%的個人信息，語調和音質交流占38%，非語言暗示傳遞的信息則占到了極大的55%。這就是說，人們在非語言交流中獲得的信息多于說話的內容。在研究某種異域文化時，就很有必要對人們使用的非語言暗示多加留意。

手勢組成了非語言交流的主要形式。與聽障人交流復雜信息使用的手語相比，行使視覺符號功能的手勢代表了單一的想法。但這些手勢常常受到文化的限制，極易造成十分尷尬的局面。比如，新西蘭的毛利人對某人吐舌頭是表示尊重，而美國的小學生做這種手勢就代表完全相反的意思；還有，美國人總是把大拇指和食指相合成圈表示“OK”，但同樣的手勢對于日本人意味著“錢”，對法國人則意味著“零”，對巴西人更是粗俗的動作。由此，處于異域文化的人們務必小心使用手勢。

另一個非語言交流的文化因素是你可能沒想到的：空間距離。每個人都能感覺到自己身體周圍有一種隱形屏障。當別人靠得太近，他就會覺得不舒服；當他無意中碰到別人，他會覺得需要道歉。但一個人的“舒適地帶”大小各異，與他的文化或種族有關。比如，在非正式交談中，許多美國人都會站到4英尺外。換句話說，他們喜歡保持“一個手臂的距離”。相比之下，拉丁或阿拉伯文化中的人彼此站得非常近，經常會碰到對方。如果來自這些國家的人和一個美國人在交談中站得太近，美國人會感覺很不舒服而不斷后退。

美國人交談的時候，常期望別人有所回應。對于美國人來說，有禮貌的談話者會顯示出興奮或厭惡、震驚或悲傷的表情以示自己感同身受。總是面無表情、波瀾不驚的人會被稱為“撲克臉”，因而容易遭人猜忌。美國人還會在交談中通過揚眉毛、點頭、禮貌的微笑及保持適當的目光接觸，來表示自己的專注程度。盡管有些文化認為直接的目光接觸既不禮貌又冒犯人，美國人卻認為那是真摯和誠懇的表現。如果一個人說話時沒有直視你的眼睛，美國人會提醒你注意此人的動機——或假定他不喜歡你。盡管美國人對于目光接觸顧慮重重，但他們依舊認為直愣愣地瞪著對方是粗魯無禮的，對陌生人尤其如此。

至于非語言交流的影響究竟有多廣，只能說，我們從未真正停止交流。我們走路的方式、站立的方式、做手勢的方式、肢體動作的方式、表達情緒的方式，都會向他人傳達一個信息。俗話說“看人如看書”，原因正在于此。如果你看懂了一個人，就像擁擠房間中男孩女孩之后所發現的，就有可能變成一個愛情故事。

你不知道的世界各國習俗

Unusual International Customs You Never Knew

Gift-giving,table manners:what's acceptable at home doesn't necessarily apply in other countries.Here are 10 distinctive customs to use as your passport to new experiences and friendships.

When traveling,it's important to brush up on the customs and etiquette[1] of the global village.

1.Avoid giving certain flowers in Russia.

Be careful when presenting flowers to a friend or business associate in Russia.Yellow blooms signifydeceit or a relationship break-up.Skip red carnations,too.Traditionally,red carnations are placed on the graves of the dead.

2.Don't expect a “Thank You” card for these gifts in China.

Clocks,straw sandals are all associated with death and funerals in China.Deemed inappropriate and morbid,you'll risk damaging the relationship if you present these gifts—for any occasion—to someone in China.

3.Skip the salt in Egypt.

When tucking into a meal in Egypt,by-pass the saltshaker.It's insulting[2] to your host to sprinkle salt on your food.If you have to season your plate,it means that you find the meal's taste repulsive.

4.Don't show up on time in Venezuela.

Here's one place where being early or on time is viewed as being rude.In Venezuela if you are invited over to someone's home for a meal,it's recommended that you arrive 10 to 15 minutes later than the requested time.Early or on time guests are viewed as being too eager,even greedy.

5.Always use a knife and fork in Norway.

In Norway,table manners are extremely important.Most meals,including sandwiches,are eaten using utensils.

6.Be “blunt” in the Netherlands.

Gift giving should be a happy,positive experience.When selecting a present for someone in the Netherlands,don't purchase fancy kitchen knives or scissors.Giving sharp,pointy objects as gifts is considered unlucky.

7.Don't clink and drink in Hungary.

Clinking glasses and swigging beer is a scene played out of many pubs around the world,but don't expect to see such merriment in Hungary.This old custom dates back to the 1849 war with Austria.After defeating Hungarian forces and savagely[3] killing thirteen of their military's leaders,Austrian generals were celebrating by smugly clinking glasses and drinking beer.While consuming beer was never forbidden,Hungarians did pledge to refrain from clinking glasses for a period of 150 years.

8.Skip the tab in Turkey.

When doing business in Turkey,it's the custom for your host to pay for your meal.Requests to split the bill will be viewed as a polite gesture,but won't be accepted.If you would like to pay your fair share,Turks recommendinviting your host to a follow-up meal.At that time,you can reciprocate the host.

9.Red equals dead in Korea.

Writing a lot of cards or notes while visiting South Korea?Be mindful of your pen's ink color.Scrawling a person's name in red ink traditionally signifies that the person is deceased-an important point to remember when giving a birthday card.

10.Stick to the sauna in Finland.

In Finland,saunas are a preferred way to relax and socialize with family and friends.Don't be surprised if your business meeting is followed up with an invite to let off some steam in a local sauna.If you receive such a request,rest assured that your business meeting went well.

名人語庫

I believe in practicing prudence at least once every two or three years.

～Molly Ivins

我認為至少每隔兩三年就得提醒自己謹慎行事。

——莫莉·艾文斯

送禮和餐桌禮儀：國內一些得體的方式，并不都適用于國外。這里有10種用以體驗新經歷和建立新友誼的通行證。

旅行之前，溫習地球村的風俗和禮節非常重要。

1.在俄羅斯，要避免送某些花。

在俄羅斯，送花給朋友和合作伙伴時，要千萬小心。黃色的花朵代表欺騙和絕交。還要杜絕紅色康乃馨，因為按照傳統，康乃馨是放在死者墓地上的。

2.在中國，送這些禮物就別指望聽到“謝謝”。

在中國，鐘和草鞋都與死亡和葬禮有關。對于中國人——在任何情況下，如果你送這些不得體的、病態的禮物，小心破壞你們之間的關系。

3.在埃及，要避開鹽。

在埃及吃飯時，要離鹽瓶遠一些。因為，在食物上撒鹽是對主人的侮辱。要是你試著調味，就說明你覺得飯菜難吃。

4.在委內瑞拉，不要準時赴約。

有一個地方，你早到或者準時到都會被看成不禮貌。在瑞內瑞拉，如果你被邀請到某人家吃飯，建議你比要求的時間晚10—15分鐘去。提前或者準時到的客人，會被看成太過饑渴，甚至貪婪。

5.在挪威，要隨時使用刀叉。

在挪威，餐桌禮儀尤為重要。在那里，大多數食物，包括三明治，都要用到餐具。

6.在荷蘭，要“鈍”。

送禮是一件高興、積極的事。當你為荷蘭人挑選禮物時，不要買漂亮的廚刀或者剪子。尖銳的物體在荷蘭被視為不幸之物。

7.在匈牙利，不要發出叮當響，也不要喝酒。

碰杯和大口喝啤酒的場景在世界的許多俱樂部都有所見，但是別指望在匈牙利看到這樣歡樂的場景。這個古老的風俗要追溯到1849年同奧地利的戰爭。在打敗匈牙利人、并且殘忍地殺害了他們13位軍隊領導后，奧地利軍官們喝著啤酒，舉杯慶祝。雖然沒有禁止啤酒消費，可是匈牙利人發誓150年之內不再碰杯。

8.在土耳其，要避免買單。

在土耳其做生意，當地的風俗是由主人付賬。要求分攤賬單雖是禮貌的做法，可也是不被接受的。如果你想付自己的那一份錢，土耳其人會建議下一次由你邀請主人。這樣一來，你就能報答主人了。

9.在韓國，紅色等于死亡。

要在韓國寫許多卡片和信件？那么，注意你的筆墨的顏色吧。按照慣例，若你用紅色墨水寫一個人的名字，那么說明這個人已經去世——送生日賀卡的時候，這一點非常重要。

10.在芬蘭，要遵循桑拿習俗。

在芬蘭，桑拿是放松和家人朋友聚會的好去處。如果你的商務會議結束后，友人邀請你去當地的桑拿館蒸一把，不要覺得奇怪。如果你受到這樣的邀請，就說明這次會議開得很成功。

注釋

[1]etiquette[?et?ket] n.禮儀，禮節；規矩；禮數

[2]insulting[?n?s?lt??] a.出言不遜的，侮辱的；無禮的

[3]refrain[r?'fre?n] v.抑制；克制

美國的流行文化

Pop Culture

When you think of American culture,what first comes to your mind?McDonald's?Coca Cola?Levi's?Disneyland?Michael Jordan?Julia Roberts?Many people imagine American culture is a collection of popular symbols like these.Actually,these symbols are only one small part of American culture—“pop culture”.

What is pop culture?Well,pop is short for popular.The origins of pop culture can often be traced to popular movies,television shows,music stars and sports figures.Pop culture is also promoted by business and advertising.The most common examples of American pop culture appear among high school and college students.Trends set by famous personalities quickly become part of young people's lifestyles.

American pop culture has spread around the world.One major reason for its popularity is that English is a universal language.English is the language of diplomacy,international business and transportation.Since language and culture go together,learning English means becoming aware of English-speaking cultures.Also,America is a world leader in movies,music and magazines.The kind of American culture communicated in those media is pop culture.Finally,pop culture is easy to package and to export.For that reason,it is easy to “sell” to the world.

（At a cafe in Paris,France）

Pierre:I just saw an advertisement for that recent American movie “The Pelican Brief”.Sounds interesting.Want to go see it with me?

Jean:I don't think so.I've got too much to do.Besides,all of this American influence really bothers me.Everybody's going to see American movies,listening to American rock music and eating American fast food.

Pierre:Oh,come on.Don't be such a grouch.People just want to find out what America is all about.The movies I've seen make American lifestyles seem exciting.Maybe we could learn a few things from them.

Jean:Learn a few things!Yeah,sure.We'll learn how to be American and forget how to be French.If we follow American ways,it's going to change our own culture.Americans will be the winners,and we'll be the losers.

Pierre:Now,wait a minute.You're forgetting that we have a global economy now.If we want to do business with Americans,we have to understand their culture.

Jean:If American culture is Michael Jackson,Mickey Mouse and McDonald's,I don't want to understand it.

Many people assume that American pop culture is what America is all about.Does pop culture reflect the true culture of America?Yes and no.Pop culture does represent a portion of American society—especially urban young people that are tuned in to the media.But American pop culture is faddish and ever—changing.It is an artificial and superficial picture of America.If you want to learn about real American culture,you'll have to go a little farther than McDonald's.

名人語庫

Literature is a kind of intelluctual light which,like the light of the sun,may sometimes enable us to see what we do not like.

～Samuse Johnson

文學是一種理性之光，它和陽光一樣，有時能使我們看到我們不喜歡的東西。

——塞繆斯·約翰遜

談到美國文化時，你首先想到的是什么？麥當勞？可口可樂？李維斯牛仔褲？迪斯尼樂園？邁克爾·喬丹？還是茱莉亞·羅伯茨？許多人將美國文化想象成類似這些流行符號的集合。實際上，這些符號只是美國文化中的一小部分——“流行文化”。

什么是流行文化？其實，“流行”就是“大眾流行”的簡寫。流行文化的起源總是可以追溯到流行電影、電視節目、歌星和體育明星，商業和廣告也能帶動流行文化。美國流行文化最尋常的典范就是高中生和大學生，由名人引領的潮流很快成為年輕一族的部分生活方式。

美國流行文化在全世界蔓延開來。美國文化之所以流行，首先因為英語是一門全球性語言，還是外交語言、國際貿易語言和運輸語言。既然語言和文化一直如影隨形，學英語就意味著了解英語國家的文化。其次，美國是全球的電影、音樂、雜志先鋒，在這些媒介中傳播的美國文化就是流行文化。最后，流行文化很容易打包輸出，因此，也很容易“販賣”至全世界。

（在法國巴黎的咖啡館里）

皮埃爾：我剛看到最新美國大片《塘鵝暗殺令》的宣傳廣告，好像很有意思，我們一起去看吧？

珍：我覺得沒什么意思。我還有很多事情要做。另外，所有這些美國流行元素實在讓我很煩。每個人都在看美國電影，聽美國搖滾音樂，吃美國快餐。

皮埃爾：噢，別這樣，別這么牢騷滿腹嘛。人們只是想多了解美國一些。我看過的電影都讓我覺得美國人的生活方式很帶勁，也許我們應該向他們學一點。

珍：學一點！是啊，當然。我們要學怎么做一個美國人，反倒忘記怎么做一個法國人了。如果我們學美國人的樣子，美國文化肯定會改變我們自己的文化。最后，美國人成了贏家，我們成了輸家。

皮埃爾：既然說到這里了，等一下。你好像忘記我們現在是全球經濟體了吧，如果我們想和美國人做生意，就必須了解他們的文化。

珍：如果美國文化就是邁克爾·杰克遜、米奇老鼠和麥當勞，我才不想去了解呢。

許多人認為美國流行文化就是美國的一切。流行文化確實能反映美國的真實文化嗎？既是，也不是。流行文化確實代表了美國社會的部分群體，特別是關注媒體的都市年輕人。但是，美國流行文化稍縱即逝，瞬息萬變，它是美國文化中人為且膚淺的一面。如果你想了解真正的美國文化，就必須了解更深層次的內容，至少比麥當勞深一些。

各式各樣的新年前夜

New Year's Eve

On 31 December everyone celebrates the end of the old year and the beginning of the new.

In Scotland New Year's Eve is called Hogmanay.It is the most important celebration of the year.In Edinburgh there is an immense[1] street celebration on New Year's Eve.

In America and Britain many people like going to parties or organizing them in their homes.Some people prefer to celebrate in restaurants or night clubs.Young people celebrate at home or at a disco.Others go to mask[2] balls in costumes and masks.Everyone takes off their mask at midnight.

Cheers,noise,music,dancing,colourful decorations,festive food and drink are all part of New Year's Eve.People like throwing confetti on the last night of the year.People wear their best party clothes on this exciting night.At parties everyone wears funny paper hats and blows toy horns.Parties usually begin after 9 pm and continue until the next morning.At midnight everyone joins hands and sings the old Scottish song “Auld Lang Syne”.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

For the sake of auld langsyne.

For auld langsyne,my dear.

For auld langsyne.

And we'll take a cup of kindness yet.

For the sake of auld langsyne.

In New York City a favourite place to go on New Year's Eve is Times Square.At midnight the words “Happy New Year” appear on an electronic sign.Bells and sirens ring,people cheer and there is a lot of noise.

In London many people go to celebrate in Trafalgar Square.Everyone in Britain waits for Big Ben to strike midnight.Then there is a lot of noise.

People sing “Auld Lang Syne”,kiss each other and cheer.

When we make a lot of noise on New Year's Eve we are following ancient traditions.Ancient civilizations made noise to frighten evil spirits of the past year.

On New Year's Eve the Americans and the British make New Year's resolutions or promises.They promise to get rid of bad habits during the new year.Some typical children's resolutions are:“I resolve to do my homework” or “I resolve to clean my room every day”.Children write down their New Year's resolutions,sign their name and give the paper to their parents.

Some typical adult's resolutions are:“I resolve to stop smoking” or “I resolve to go on a diet”.Most people don't keep their promises,but a few do!In some American cities office workers throw their old calendars out of the office windows on 31 December.They are throwing the old year away.It is incredible to see so much paper flying about.By 5:30 pm the streets are covered with office calendars.

At the end of the year astrologists[3] predict the future for all the signs of the zodiac.Some astrologists predict catastrophic events.

名人語庫

Accept what was and what is,and you'll have more positive energy to pursue what will be.

～Karen Salmansohn

接受歷史，正視現在，才更有能量追尋自己的未來。

——凱倫·莎曼松

12月31日，人人都會辭舊歲，迎新年。

蘇格蘭的新年又叫做大年夜，這是一年中最重要的節日。在愛丁堡，人們還會在街道上歡慶除夕夜。

在美國和英國，許多人喜歡去參加派對，或是在家里組織派對。一些人則喜歡在餐館或是夜店里慶祝。年輕人就待在家里，或是去迪斯科舞廳。其他人則盛裝打扮，戴著面具去參加化妝舞會。午夜時分，大家就都會摘下面具。

歡呼聲、吵鬧聲、音樂、舞蹈、五顏六色的裝扮，以及節日食品和飲料，都是除夕夜的一部分。人們喜歡在除夕之夜拋灑五彩紙屑。在這個激動人心的夜晚，人們穿上最漂亮的禮服。舞會上，人人都戴著有趣的紙帽，還要吹玩具號角。舞會通常都是9點以后開始，直到第二天早上才結束。

到了午夜，大家手拉起手唱著古老的蘇格蘭民謠《友誼地久天長》。

怎能忘記舊日朋友

心中能不懷想？

舊日朋友豈能相忘

友誼地久天長。

友誼永存，朋友。

友誼永存。

舉杯痛飲，同聲歌唱，

友誼地久天長。

在紐約的除夕之夜，人們最喜歡去的就是時代廣場。午夜時分，“新年快樂”的標志就會出現在電子標志上。鐘笛齊鳴，眾人歡呼，熱鬧不已。

在倫敦，許多人都來到特拉法爾加廣場歡慶。英國的每一個人都在等待著大本鐘敲響12點。到那時，到處都會一陣喧騰。

人們唱著《友誼天長地久》，并且相互親吻。

我們在除夕之夜喧鬧也是為了遵循傳統。從前，古代人用喧鬧聲來驅走鬼魂。

在除夕之夜，美國人和英國人會許下新年愿望或承諾。他們承諾要在新的一年改掉陋習。孩子們通常的心愿就是“我一定要完成家庭作業”，或者“我一定要每天打掃房間”。此外，孩子們還會寫下他們的新年心愿，并寫上他們的名字，然后交給父母。

而大人們通常會許愿：“我一定要戒煙”或“我一定要節食”。大多數人并沒有履行他們的承諾，可有一些人做到了！在美國的一些城市，職員們會在12月31日這一天將舊日歷扔到辦公室窗外。這是在將過去的日子拋開。看到紙片到處亂飛的場景，還真是感覺不可思議。到了下午5點30分，街道上就已經滿是辦公室日歷了。

一年之末，占卜師們會預測未來的黃道征跡。一些占卜師還會預測災難事件。

注釋

[1]immense[?'mens] a.極大的，巨大的；浩瀚的，無邊際的；<口>非常好的

[2]mask[mɑ:sk] v.偽裝

[3]astrologists[?'str?l?d??st] n.占星家，占卜師

十條不可不知的西方餐桌禮儀

Western Table Manners

1.When helping a woman pull her chair to the table,hold it and guide it.Don't shove it against the back of her legs.

2.If you're seated at a table with eight or fewer guests,wait for everyone to be served and for the hostess to begin eating before you dig in.At a long banquet[1] table,it's OK to start when several people are seated and served.

3.All things not having to do with food should remain off the table:keys,clutch bags,cigarette packs,sunglasses,BlackBerrys.

4.Don't snap your napkin open or unfurl it showily like it's an Olympic flag.

5.If you prefer not to have wine while dining out,don't turn your glass upside down,and don't make a big deal of saying you don't drink.Simply place your fingertips on the rim of the glass and say “Not today,thanks.”

6.If you're eating and want to take a sip,dab your mouth with your napkin to avoid staining the rim of the glass.

7.Grabbing a bowl of salad or a saltshaker as it's being passed to someone who asked for it is the equivalent of cutting in line:greedy and rude.

8.On the subject of passing:Dishes go counterclockwise[2],but if someone to your left asks for something,you can hand it directly to him.

9.When you excuse yourself to go to the restroom,just say “Please excuse me.”

10.When out with friends or family—even at a fancy restaurant—it's OK to ask for your leftovers to be wrapped[3].But don't do it at a business lunch or dinner.

名人語庫

The art of giving presents is to give something which others cannot buy for themselves.

～Alan Alexander Milne

送禮的藝術在于送別人他們不能給自己買的東西。

——A.A.米爾恩

1.在餐桌前，為女士拉椅子，要拉穩、控制好它，別讓椅子碰到女士的腿。

2.如果就餐人數不多于8個人，那就等所有人都坐好之后，讓女主人先用餐，你才可以開動。如果是在一個長餐桌上，而且有些人已經坐好，并且已經開始用餐，那你也可以吃了。

3.一切和食物無關的東西都不應該出現在餐桌上，包括鑰匙、手袋、煙盒、墨鏡和手機。

4.不要像展示奧林匹克旗幟一樣打開或鋪開餐巾。

5.如果用餐時你不想喝酒，就不要把酒杯倒過來放，也不要高調地說你不喝酒。只需輕輕把指尖放在酒杯邊緣，說一句：“今天不便喝酒，謝謝。”

6.如果你在吃東西的時候想要喝一杯，那就先拿餐巾把嘴擦干凈，以免在杯子邊緣留下印跡。

7.如果別人在要盤沙拉或鹽瓶時，你從中攔下，這就等于插隊：說明你是個既貪婪又粗魯的人。

8.在餐桌上傳遞東西：盤子要逆時針傳遞。不過，如果坐在你左手邊的人想要什么東西時，你也可以直接遞給他。

9.想去衛生間的時候，你只需說“失陪一下”就可。

10.當你和朋友、家人一起出去時——即便是在高級餐館——也可以要求打包。但如果是在商務宴會上，那還是不要了。

注釋

[1]banquet['b??kw?t] n.宴會，盛宴；筵席；宴請，款待

[2]counterclockwise[?ka?nt??kl?kwa?z] ad.逆時針方向地，自右向左地

[3]wrapped[r?pt] v.包（wrap的過去式和過去分詞）；覆蓋；用……包裹（或包扎、覆蓋等）；卷起

世界各地換牙習俗

Customs of Dental Transition Around the World

Japan

If it is a lower baby tooth,throw it up onto the roof;and if it is an upper tooth,throw it underneath the “en-no-shita”（the lower portion below the floor of a Japanese house）.It is done so that the upper tooth grows healthy downwards,while the lower tooth upwards.

Vietnam

Both the upper and lower teeth are thrown up over the house.

Korea

The same method as that of Japan.

USA

A child puts the baby tooth under his pillow before going to bed.A tooth fairy comes during the night and takes the tooth with her.The next morning,the child would find money underneath the pillow.

France

Like the American version,the child puts his baby tooth under the pillow when he goes to bed.The fairy takes it while he is asleep,and replaces it with a present instead of money.

Mexico

It is the same as the American and the French version,so the child goes to bed with the baby tooth under the pillow.A mouse,not a fairy,takes it during the night.It leaves some money,too.

Mongolia

In Mongolia,they put the baby tooth in the meat and feed it to the young dog.Because the dog is respected and is considered a guardian angel.When the guardian angel eats it,it is said,that a strong tooth will grow.

United Kingdom

Like the American version,the child puts his baby tooth under the pillow.The fairy takes it and replaces it with a coin.

Spain

In Spain,a mouse replaces the baby tooth under the pillow with a coin during the night.

Slovenia

In Slovenia,a mouse replaces the baby tooth under the pillow with a candy during the night.

名人語庫

Experience more than sufficiently teaches that men govern nothing with more difficulty than their tongues.

～Bendict de Spinoza

經驗給我們太多的教訓，告訴我們人類最難管制的東西，莫過于自己的舌頭。

——B.斯賓諾沙

日本

如果是下乳牙，就扔到屋頂上；如果是上乳牙，就扔到“en-no-shita”（日本房屋地板下面較低的地方）底下。這么做之后，上牙就能健康地向下生長，而下牙也能健康地向上生長。

越南

上牙和下牙都向上扔過房子。

韓國

方法與日本一樣。

美國

小孩子在睡前把乳牙放到枕頭下面。牙仙子就會在夜間過來取走牙齒。第二天早上，小孩子會在枕頭下找到錢。

法國

類似美國的版本，小孩子睡覺時把乳牙放在枕頭下面。仙子在他沉睡時取走牙齒，同時留下一個禮物，而不是錢。

墨西哥

類似美國和法國的版本，小孩子把乳牙放在枕頭下面睡覺。不是仙子，而是一只老鼠會在夜間取走牙齒。它也會留下錢。

蒙古

在蒙古，人們把乳牙放在肉里喂小狗。因為狗受人尊敬，是公認的保護神。據說，當守護天使吃掉牙齒時，就會長出強壯的牙齒。

英國

類似美國的版本，小孩子把乳牙放在枕頭下。仙子取走乳牙，并用一枚硬幣替換之。

西班牙

在西班牙，老鼠在夜間用一枚硬幣替換枕頭下的乳牙。

斯諾文尼亞

在斯諾文尼亞，老鼠在夜間用一顆糖替換枕頭下的乳牙。

閱讀課堂 美國人的時間觀念

Time in Americans'Eyes

美國人的時間觀念很強。有這樣一種說法，即：美國人是“鐘表的奴隸”（Americans are slaves to nothing but the clock）。對他們來說，時間簡直就是一種珍貴的商品。

通常情況下，美國人是不會與記者進行長時間閑談的；也不會把時間花費在飯桌前，通過宴請客人來建立友誼關系或聯絡感情。對大多數人來說友好關系比不上實際表現重要。所以，在與客人簡單禮節性地寒暄后，他們很快就會談及主題。

由于人們非常珍惜時間，他們很討厭那些不知趣地浪費別人時間的人。多數美國人都有嚴格的個人日程安排，他們在日程表上寫滿了約會，把一天的時間分成一段一段的。如果你想拜訪某人，或者請某人做什么事，最好的辦法是與他們事先約定好，他們是不歡迎不速之客的。約會時你必須按照約定的時間到達，如果有急事發生，使得你不能按時赴約，你應該更改或取消約會。失約是非常不禮貌的行為。

在他們的語言中，也能反映出對時間的關注。比如美國人在年幼的時候，家長就開始教導他們做事要on time（準時）,in time（及時）；過得愉快時，他們會說have a good time;浪費時間被說成kill time;感到日子過得太快，他們用time flies（時光飛逝）來表示；即使在年老臨終時，他們也會說是靠借來的時間活著的（live on borrowed time）。