第8单元课文翻译：

第8单元课文翻译：
引导良好风度的世界指南

1 到世界各地旅游越来越容易。我们生活在地球村里，但是我们如何更好地互相认识和理解呢？这里有个简单的例子。假设你安排了一个四点钟的会议。你预计你的外国商务同行会几点到达呢？如果他们是德国人，他们会准点到。如果他们是美国人，会提前15分钟到。如果他们是英国人，他们会晚到15分钟，并且你应该为意大利人留出一个钟头的时间。
2 当欧洲旅游社团规模开始增加时，出现了几本提供国际礼仪指南的书。起初，很多人以为这是一个笑话，尤其是英国人，似乎认为的他们的语言被广泛理解意味着其风俗习惯也相应被理解。很快，他们不得不改变想法，因为他们意识到，在如何与外国商界朋友相处方面，有很多要学的东西。
3 例如：
*英国人喜欢吃工作餐，席间一边喝酒一边谈业务；而日本宁愿吃饭时不谈工作。午餐是一个放松和相互了解的时间，午餐时间他们也很少喝酒。
*德国人喜欢饭前谈生意；法国人喜欢先吃饭后谈生意。在讨论业务之前，他们得吃饱喝足。
*在英国和荷兰，脱去你的外套再卷起您的袖子是一个言归正传认真工作的迹象；但在德国，人们把它看成是放松。
*美国行政人员有时表达他们悠闲舒适的感觉和在公司的重要地位，打电话时，会把脚放在桌上。而在日本这样，人们会感到震惊。将您的鞋底朝人是极大的不礼貌。这是一种仅次于在公共场合挤鼻涕的社会侮辱。
4 日本也许有最严格的社会和商业行为规则。资历是非常重要的，年轻人应该永远不会派去完成一个对付日本老年人的业务。日本的商务名片，几乎需要一个使用规则手册。您必须会面时立即交换名片，因为这对树立个人地位和职位是必须的。
5 把名片交给一个地位较高的人时，必须都用双手来接或递，你必须花点时间来仔细阅读名片，而不只是把它放进口袋里！此外，鞠躬是与人打招呼的非常重要的一部分。你不应该期望日本人握手。点一下头是表示尊重，每天的第一次鞠躬应比后头的见面问候鞠躬要更低一点。
6 美国人有时感到难以接受较正规的日语礼仪。他们更喜欢休闲一点，非正式一点，这可以用广泛使用的"天天快乐！"来说明。美国服务员用一个字的祈使句"快乐！"英国人，当然，是冷静而内向的。英国陌生人之间谈话的伟大话题是天气---平静而不涉及个人。在美国，陌生人之间的主要议题是搜索地理上的联系。 "哦，真的吗？你住在俄亥俄州的？我有一个叔叔曾经在那里工作过。"
7 "入乡随俗。"
这里有一些给旅客的最后提示。
*

在法国的咖啡吧里，你要跟所有你认识的人握过手后才能坐下来。
*在巴基斯坦，你绝不能眨眼。那是一种冒犯。
*在中东，你千万不要使用左手打招呼、吃喝或吸烟。同时，您应该小心不要羡慕主人家的任何东西。他们会觉得他们应把它给你。
*在俄罗斯，您必须迎合主人一杯对一杯地喝，否则他们会认为你不友好。
*在泰国，问候人时，您应该紧握你的手，低头低眼。
*在美国，您应该用双手尽快地吃掉你的汉堡包。没吃完前，别想交谈。

译者：周荆洪
2008年7月3日


Unit 8
Manners
Text
A World Guide to Good Manners

1 Traveling to all corners of the world gets easier and easier. We live in a global village, but how well do we know and understand each other? Here is a simple test. Imagine you have arranged a meeting at four o'clock. What time should you expect your foreign business colleagues to arrive? If they're German, they'll be right on time. If they're American, they'll probably be 15 minutes early. If they're British, they'll be 15 minutes late, and you should allow up to an hour for the Italians.
2 When the European Community began to increase in size, several guidebooks appeared giving advice on international etiquette. At first many people thought this was a joke, especially the British, who seemed to assume that the widespread understanding of their language meant a corresponding understanding of English customs. Very soon they had to change their ideas, as they realized that they had a lot to learn about how to behave with their foreign business friends.
3 For example:
*The British are happy to have a business lunch and discuss business matters with a drink during the meal; the Japanese prefer not to work while eating. Lunch is a time to relax and get to know one another, and they rarely drink at lunchtime.
*The Germans like to talk business before dinner; the French like to eat first and talk afterwards. They have to be well fed and watered before they discuss anything.
*Taking off your jacket and rolling up your sleeves is a sign of getting down to work in Britain and Holland, but in Germany people regard it as taking it easy.
*American executives sometimes signal their feelings of ease and important in their offices by putting their feet on the desk whilst on the telephone. In Japan, people would be shocked. Showing the soles of your feet is the height of bad manners. It is a social insult only exceeded by blowing your nose in public.
4 The Japanese have perhaps the strictest rules of social and business behavior. Seniority is very important, and a younger man should never be sent to complete a business deal with an older Japanese man. The Japanese business c

ard almost needs a rulebook of its own. You must exchange business cards immediately on meeting because it is essential to establish everyone's status and position.
5 When it is handed to a person in a superior position, it must be given and received with both hands, and you must take time to read it carefully, and not just put it in you pocket! Also the bow is a very important part of greeting someone. You should not expect the Japanese to shake hands. Bowing the head is mark of respect and the first bow of the day should be lower than when you meet thereafter.
6 The Americans sometimes find it difficult to accept the more formal Japanese manners. They prefer to be casual and more informal, as illustrated by the universal" Have a nice day!" American waiters have a one-word imperative "Enjoy!" The British, of course, are cool and reserved. The great topic of conversation between strangers in Britain is the weather-unemotional and impersonal. In America, the main topic between strangers is the search to find a geographical link. "Oh, really? You live in Ohio? I had an uncle who once worked there."
7 "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."
Here are some final tips for travelers.
*In France you shouldn't sit down in a café until you've shaken hands with everyone you know.
*In Pakistan you mustn't wink. It's offensive.
*In the Middle East you must never use the left hand for greeting, eating, drinking, or smoking. Also, you should take care not to admire anything in your host's home. They will feel that they have to give it to you.
*In Russia you must match your hosts drink for drink, or they will think you are unfriendly.
*In Thailand you should clasp your hands together and lower your head and your eyes when you greet someone.
*In America you should eat your hamburger with both hands and as quickly as possible. You shouldn't try to have a conversation until it is eaten.



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