Greetings 美國人的問候方式(Part 1 of 10)
"East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet." At least, that's what English writer Rudyard Kipling said. Truth is, nowadays Easterners and Westerners meet quite often. And when they do meet, naturally, they have to find an appropriate greeting. Aye, there's the rub. What's culturally appropriate for people in one culture may be completely out of line in another culture. So the best approach is to follow the well-known maxim, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."
「東方是東方，西方是西方，兩者是不會相會的。」至少，英國短篇小說家吉普林是如此認為。事實上，當今東方人與西方人時常碰面。當他們會面時，自然而然地必須找出一種合適的問候方式。唉，這就麻煩了！在某個文化裡可能恰到好處的事，到另一個文化裡，就可能過分踰矩。因此，最佳的做法就是遵守這個耳熟能詳的行事準則：「入境隨俗」。
⊙ Word Bank
be out of line (idiom) 不合適
maxim (n)
準則；格言
"East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet." At least, that's what English writer Rudyard Kipling said. Truth is, nowadays Easterners and Westerners meet quite often. And when they do meet, naturally, they have to find an appropriate greeting. Aye, there's the rub. What's culturally appropriate for people in one culture may be completely out of line in another culture. So the best approach is to follow the well-known maxim, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."
「東方是東方，西方是西方，兩者是不會相會的。」至少，英國短篇小說家吉普林是如此認為。事實上，當今東方人與西方人時常碰面。當他們會面時，自然而然地必須找出一種合適的問候方式。唉，這就麻煩了！在某個文化裡可能恰到好處的事，到另一個文化裡，就可能過分踰矩。因此，最佳的做法就是遵守這個耳熟能詳的行事準則：「入境隨俗」。
⊙ Word Bank
be out of line (idiom) 不合適
maxim (n)
Greetings 美國人的問候方式(Part 2 of 10)
So what's an appropriate salutation for Americans? Maybe you already know how to say, "How are you?" You might even know the customary response, "Fine, thanks, and you?" Is that all there is to greeting people American-style? Well, Americans do often use this trite greeting, and they generally expect nothing but the standard answer. (If you want to shock an American friend, the next time he greets you this way, tell him how you're really doing.)
那麼，對美國人而言，什麼才是適當的問候語？可能你已經懂得怎麼說「How are you?」（你好嗎？）你甚至也知道一般常用的回答「Fine, thanks, and you?」（我很好，謝謝，你呢？）用美國的方式來問候別人，就僅僅如此而已嗎？其實美國人的確常用這老套的問候方式，而他們所期待的，也只是一般的標準回答。（你如果想讓你的美國朋友吃驚，下一次他如此問候你時，你就把你真正的感覺告訴他。）
⊙ Word Bank
salutation (n)
問候語；寒喧
trite (adj)
平凡普遍的；老套的
So what's an appropriate salutation for Americans? Maybe you already know how to say, "How are you?" You might even know the customary response, "Fine, thanks, and you?" Is that all there is to greeting people American-style? Well, Americans do often use this trite greeting, and they generally expect nothing but the standard answer. (If you want to shock an American friend, the next time he greets you this way, tell him how you're really doing.)
那麼，對美國人而言，什麼才是適當的問候語？可能你已經懂得怎麼說「How are you?」（你好嗎？）你甚至也知道一般常用的回答「Fine, thanks, and you?」（我很好，謝謝，你呢？）用美國的方式來問候別人，就僅僅如此而已嗎？其實美國人的確常用這老套的問候方式，而他們所期待的，也只是一般的標準回答。（你如果想讓你的美國朋友吃驚，下一次他如此問候你時，你就把你真正的感覺告訴他。）
⊙ Word Bank
salutation (n)
trite (adj)
The American Way 3: Greetings 美國人的問候方式(Part 3 of 10)
But most Americans enjoy a little variety now and then. In informal settings, you might hear Americans say, "How's it going?" (which doesn't mean, "What's your destination?") or "What's up?" (which isn't an inquiry about the stock market). Formal situations, on the other hand might call for expressions like "Good morning" or "Hello, it's nice to see you."
但是，多數的美國人偶而會喜歡有些變化。在非正式的場合裡，你可能聽到美國人說「How's it going?」(它不是在問「你的目的地是哪裡？」)或者是「What's up?」(它也不是詢問股市的動態) 而在另一方面，一個正式的場合所使用的問候語，則可能是「Good morning」（早安），或是「Hello, itis nice to see you.」（哈囉！很高興見到你。）
⊙ Word Bank
inquiry (n)
詢問
But most Americans enjoy a little variety now and then. In informal settings, you might hear Americans say, "How's it going?" (which doesn't mean, "What's your destination?") or "What's up?" (which isn't an inquiry about the stock market). Formal situations, on the other hand might call for expressions like "Good morning" or "Hello, it's nice to see you."
但是，多數的美國人偶而會喜歡有些變化。在非正式的場合裡，你可能聽到美國人說「How's it going?」(它不是在問「你的目的地是哪裡？」)或者是「What's up?」(它也不是詢問股市的動態) 而在另一方面，一個正式的場合所使用的問候語，則可能是「Good morning」（早安），或是「Hello, itis nice to see you.」（哈囉！很高興見到你。）
⊙ Word Bank
inquiry (n)
Greetings 美國人的問候方式(Part 4 of 10)
After the initial "hello," what kind of comments are appropriate to kick off a conversation? You might engage in small talk and make a remark about the weather, your job or current events. Or you could ask your American friend about his recent activities or his upcoming plans.
說了開場的「Hello」之後，用什麼話來適當地打開話閘子呢？你可能與對方閒聊，提及天氣、你的工作或是時事。或者，你可以問你的美國朋友他最近做了什麼，或是再來的計劃有哪些。
⊙ Word Bank
kick off (v phr) 開始
After the initial "hello," what kind of comments are appropriate to kick off a conversation? You might engage in small talk and make a remark about the weather, your job or current events. Or you could ask your American friend about his recent activities or his upcoming plans.
說了開場的「Hello」之後，用什麼話來適當地打開話閘子呢？你可能與對方閒聊，提及天氣、你的工作或是時事。或者，你可以問你的美國朋友他最近做了什麼，或是再來的計劃有哪些。
⊙ Word Bank
kick off (v phr) 開始
Greetings 美國人的問候方式(Part 5 of 10)
If you know that he's been under the weather, you might ask him how he's feeling. But don't make use of personal comments or questions like "Boy, you've put on weight!" or "What are all those bumps on your face?" or "How much money did that necklace cost?" Americans might take offense at questions or comments about money or their appearance.
如果你知道他一直身體不適，你或許可以問他感覺如何。但千萬不要用牽涉個人的評語或問題，像是：「唷！你體重又增加了！」或是「你臉上一粒一粒的是怎麼來的？」或是「那條項練你花了多少錢？」美國人可能會對於有關金錢以及個人外表的問題或批評，感到反感。
⊙ Word Bank
under the weather (idiom) 身體不適
If you know that he's been under the weather, you might ask him how he's feeling. But don't make use of personal comments or questions like "Boy, you've put on weight!" or "What are all those bumps on your face?" or "How much money did that necklace cost?" Americans might take offense at questions or comments about money or their appearance.
如果你知道他一直身體不適，你或許可以問他感覺如何。但千萬不要用牽涉個人的評語或問題，像是：「唷！你體重又增加了！」或是「你臉上一粒一粒的是怎麼來的？」或是「那條項練你花了多少錢？」美國人可能會對於有關金錢以及個人外表的問題或批評，感到反感。
⊙ Word Bank
under the weather (idiom) 身體不適
Greetings 美國人的問候方式(Part 6 of 10)
One other caution: In some social contexts, particularly in an office or a professional setting, greetings between the sexes should be very conservative. If you're a man, greeting a woman with a statement like "Wow! You look beautiful today!" may be construed as a come-on. So when you're giving a compliment, the key is to use discretion.
另一項值得注意的：在某種社交場合，尤其是在辦公室或專業場合裡，兩性之間的問候應該非常保守。如果你是男性，而問候女性時你說：「哇！你今天真漂亮！」這可能會被誤解為一種挑逗行為。因此，讚美他人時，仔細斟酌非常重要。
⊙ Word Bank
construe (v)
解釋；推斷
discretion (n)
謹慎
One other caution: In some social contexts, particularly in an office or a professional setting, greetings between the sexes should be very conservative. If you're a man, greeting a woman with a statement like "Wow! You look beautiful today!" may be construed as a come-on. So when you're giving a compliment, the key is to use discretion.
另一項值得注意的：在某種社交場合，尤其是在辦公室或專業場合裡，兩性之間的問候應該非常保守。如果你是男性，而問候女性時你說：「哇！你今天真漂亮！」這可能會被誤解為一種挑逗行為。因此，讚美他人時，仔細斟酌非常重要。
⊙ Word Bank
construe (v)
discretion (n)
Greetings 美國人的問候方式(Part 7 of 10)
What about overt displays of affection, like hugging and kissing? Contrary to some stereotypes, Americans don't go around hugging and kissing everyone they meet. Of course, girls might give each other a squeeze as a friendly gesture, and in some high society circles, a little peck on the cheek is a common courtesy. But except with family members and close friends, Americans usually don't give out wholesale hugs. Besides that, not all Americans are inveterate huggers anyway. So don't wrap your arms around the next American you see. He or she might be just as uncomfortable as you are.
那麼，公開地表示感情，例如擁抱以及親吻，又該如何呢？美國人與一般人所認定的典型不同，他們並不會到處擁抱、親吻遇見的每一個人。當然，女性們可能會在見面時彼此緊抱一下以示友好；而且在某些上流社交圈裡，輕吻對方的面頰是很普遍的禮節。但除了對家人與好友外，美國人通常不會經常隨便擁抱他人。此外，並不是每一位美國人都習慣擁抱他人。因此，不要隨便把手臂環住下一個你碰到的美國人。他可能會跟你一樣地不自在。
⊙ Word Bank
overt (adj)
公然的；公開的
wholesale (adj)
大批的；不分對象的
inveterate (adj)
（習慣、疾病等）根深的；積習性的
What about overt displays of affection, like hugging and kissing? Contrary to some stereotypes, Americans don't go around hugging and kissing everyone they meet. Of course, girls might give each other a squeeze as a friendly gesture, and in some high society circles, a little peck on the cheek is a common courtesy. But except with family members and close friends, Americans usually don't give out wholesale hugs. Besides that, not all Americans are inveterate huggers anyway. So don't wrap your arms around the next American you see. He or she might be just as uncomfortable as you are.
那麼，公開地表示感情，例如擁抱以及親吻，又該如何呢？美國人與一般人所認定的典型不同，他們並不會到處擁抱、親吻遇見的每一個人。當然，女性們可能會在見面時彼此緊抱一下以示友好；而且在某些上流社交圈裡，輕吻對方的面頰是很普遍的禮節。但除了對家人與好友外，美國人通常不會經常隨便擁抱他人。此外，並不是每一位美國人都習慣擁抱他人。因此，不要隨便把手臂環住下一個你碰到的美國人。他可能會跟你一樣地不自在。
⊙ Word Bank
overt (adj)
wholesale (adj)
inveterate (adj)
Greetings 美國人的問候方式(Part 8 of 10)
A more common form of greeting in America is the handshake. Generally, handshaking is expected in more formal settings, such as when making business contacts or coming face-toface with an important personage. But friends (especially men) often pump hands and slap each other on the back. And when people are introduced, they may shake hands (or at least nod their heads) as a sign of cordiality.
握手是美國較普遍的問候方式。一般而言，人們會在較正式的場合握手，例如商場往來，或與重要人物見面時。但朋友之間（尤其是男性），通常都會彼此猛握手和拍打對方的背部。當人們被介紹給他人認識時，可能互相握手（或至少點點頭），以示誠意。
⊙ Word Bank
personage (n)
名士；顯貴；大人物
pump (v)
猛握手
cordiality (n)
誠懇；友善
A more common form of greeting in America is the handshake. Generally, handshaking is expected in more formal settings, such as when making business contacts or coming face-toface with an important personage. But friends (especially men) often pump hands and slap each other on the back. And when people are introduced, they may shake hands (or at least nod their heads) as a sign of cordiality.
握手是美國較普遍的問候方式。一般而言，人們會在較正式的場合握手，例如商場往來，或與重要人物見面時。但朋友之間（尤其是男性），通常都會彼此猛握手和拍打對方的背部。當人們被介紹給他人認識時，可能互相握手（或至少點點頭），以示誠意。
⊙ Word Bank
personage (n)
pump (v)
cordiality (n)
Greetings 美國人的問候方式(Part 9 of 10)
A man will usually wait for a woman to extend her hand before offering his, however. When you get a chance to shake hands with someone, make it count. People will judge you by the quality of your grip. The "cold fish" approach doesn't usually go over very well with Americans. Oh, and another thing about handshakes: Let go. You have to know when to stop shaking the other person's hand. Usually, a second or two will do.
不過，男性則通常會等待女性主動伸出手來，才會伸手與對方握手。當你有機會與他人握手時，記得要有誠意。人們會以你握手的品質來判斷你的人。美國人通常不歡迎「冷冰冰」的態度。哦！握手時還要切記另一件事：要放手。你必須知道什麼時候該停止握對方的手。一般而言，握手一、二秒鐘就夠了。
A man will usually wait for a woman to extend her hand before offering his, however. When you get a chance to shake hands with someone, make it count. People will judge you by the quality of your grip. The "cold fish" approach doesn't usually go over very well with Americans. Oh, and another thing about handshakes: Let go. You have to know when to stop shaking the other person's hand. Usually, a second or two will do.
不過，男性則通常會等待女性主動伸出手來，才會伸手與對方握手。當你有機會與他人握手時，記得要有誠意。人們會以你握手的品質來判斷你的人。美國人通常不歡迎「冷冰冰」的態度。哦！握手時還要切記另一件事：要放手。你必須知道什麼時候該停止握對方的手。一般而言，握手一、二秒鐘就夠了。
Greetings 美國人的問候方式(Part 10 of 10)
And if all else fails, smile. A smile is a universal language. No matter how far east or west you go, it's the one greeting that's almost always welcome. (Cheshire cat grins, however, are another matter.) When you're armed with a smile, and your heart is open, cross-cultural barriers quickly fall down. As Rudyard Kipling's verse concludes, "There is neither East nor West, Border, nor Breed, nor Birth / When two strong men stand face to face, though they come from the ends of earth!"
如果所有方式都不管用，你就微笑吧！微笑是世界性的語言。無論你多深入東方或西方，微笑幾乎總是一種受歡迎的問候（但無緣無故地露齒假笑則另當別論）。當你用微笑裝備自己，敞開心胸，跨文化障礙便迅速瓦解。正如吉普林詩詞結尾時說：「兩名強者面對面相遇時，縱然他們是來自地之兩極，即沒有所謂的東方或西方、國界、種族、與地位之差異。」（意即人與人若友善相對，一切的障礙都不是問題。）
⊙ Word Bank
Cheshire cat (n phr) 「愛莉絲夢遊仙境」一書中，一隻時常咧齒而笑的貓，意指假笑
breed (n)
種族
And if all else fails, smile. A smile is a universal language. No matter how far east or west you go, it's the one greeting that's almost always welcome. (Cheshire cat grins, however, are another matter.) When you're armed with a smile, and your heart is open, cross-cultural barriers quickly fall down. As Rudyard Kipling's verse concludes, "There is neither East nor West, Border, nor Breed, nor Birth / When two strong men stand face to face, though they come from the ends of earth!"
如果所有方式都不管用，你就微笑吧！微笑是世界性的語言。無論你多深入東方或西方，微笑幾乎總是一種受歡迎的問候（但無緣無故地露齒假笑則另當別論）。當你用微笑裝備自己，敞開心胸，跨文化障礙便迅速瓦解。正如吉普林詩詞結尾時說：「兩名強者面對面相遇時，縱然他們是來自地之兩極，即沒有所謂的東方或西方、國界、種族、與地位之差異。」（意即人與人若友善相對，一切的障礙都不是問題。）
⊙ Word Bank
Cheshire cat (n phr) 「愛莉絲夢遊仙境」一書中，一隻時常咧齒而笑的貓，意指假笑
breed (n)
Can you help me set the table?
你可以幫我把飯桌準備好嗎？
你可以幫我把飯桌準備好嗎？
It's Saturday, so you can sleep in today!
今天是星期六，所以你可以睡晚一點！
Remember to wash your hands before you come to the table.
吃飯前記得要洗手。
吃飯前記得要洗手。
Don't talk with your mouth full!
嘴巴有食物時不要講話！
嘴巴有食物時不要講話！
Finish your breakfast. Then you can go play.
吃完早餐，然後才可以去玩。
吃完早餐，然後才可以去玩。
It's your turn to wash the dishes today.
今天輪到你洗碗了。
今天輪到你洗碗了。
Put the rest of the food away in the refrigerator.
把剩下的食物放到冰箱裡去。
把剩下的食物放到冰箱裡去。
Don't leave any food out. We'll get cockroaches!
不要把食物留在外頭，會招蟑螂的！
Let's plan what to do today.
我們來計劃一下今天要做什麼。
I can't talk right now; I'm fixing my hair.
我現在沒辦法講話；我在整理頭髮。
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