中阶文化|第75集：文化差异

音频一：

Today we are going to look at intercultural awareness. If overseas business people are selling to us, then they will make every effort to speak English and to respect our traditions and methods.It is only polite for us to do the same when we visit them. It is not only polite. It is essential if we want to sell British products overseas.

音频二：

You must not drink alcohol on the first and seventh of the month in India. If you are having a meal with an Indian colleague, remember to avoid asking for a beer if your arrival coincides with one of those dates. In Arab countries, the politeness and generosity of the people is without parallel. In Thailand, clicking the fingers, clapping your hands, or just shouting “Waiter!” will embarrass your hosts, fellow diners, the waiter himself and, most of all, you!

重点词汇：

intercultural awareness 文化认知，文化意识

make every effort 极其努力

essential /ɪ'senʃ(ə)l/ a.必要的

coincides with 与…同时发生

coincidence /kəʊ'ɪnsɪd(ə)ns/ n. 巧合

politeness /pəˈlʌɪtnəs/ n. 礼貌

generosity /dʒenə'rɒsətɪ/ n.慷慨

without parallel 无与伦比的

click /klɪk/ vt. 单击，敲击

clap /klæp/ vt.拍手

embarrass /ɪm'bærəs/ vt. 使…尴尬，出丑

跟读训练：

一、

Today we are going to look at intercultural awareness.

今天，我们要聊的是文化认知。

If overseas business people are selling to us, then they will make every effort to speak English and to respect our traditions and methods.

如果国外商人跟我们做生意，他们一定会努力说英文并尊重我们的传统和理念。

It is only polite for us to do the same when we visit them. It is not only polite. It is essential if we want to sell British products overseas.

出于礼貌，对我们来说，拜访对方时也要做相同的事情。不仅仅出于礼貌，如果我们要把产品卖到国外，这是必须的。

二、

You must not drink alcohol on the first and seventh of the month in India.

在印度，每月的第一日和第七日绝对不能喝酒。

If you are having a meal with an Indian colleague, remember to avoid asking for a beer if your arrival coincides with one of those dates.

如果你和一个印度同事吃饭，而时间又与上述时间重合，记得不要点啤酒来喝。

In Arab countries, the politeness and generosity of the people is without parallel.

在阿拉伯国家，人们的礼貌和慷慨无与伦比。

In Thailand, clicking the fingers, clapping your hands, or just shouting “Waiter!”

在泰国，打响指，拍手，或者大喊“服务生”

will embarrass your hosts, fellow diners, the waiter himself and, most of all, you!

会让东道主，同行的用餐者，服务生本人，尤其是你，极其尴尬。

背景拓展：

在印度，记得You must not drink alcohol on the first and seventh of the month in India. 在泰国，记得不要在餐厅clicking the fingers, clapping your hands, or just shouting “Waiter!”等等。说到阿拉伯人the politeness and generosity of the people is without parallel无与伦比，到什么程度呢？如果你表达了你同事家里金碗的喜爱，很有可能，对方会把金碗作为礼物送给你。If you admire your colleague’s beautiful golden bowls, you may well find yourself being presented with them as a present. 当然，你也需要进行回赠。在泰国，用弹指和击掌的方式呼唤服务生很不礼貌，正确做法是make an inconspicuous waving gesture，不经意间挥手，会有更好效果。除了这些习惯上的差异，不同文化引起的思维差异，是更值得关注的，这也是听力和阅读材料容易涉及的主题。