0824 Ask树华：英语基础该怎么开始学呢？美国人和中国人有什么值得互相学习呢？

Andy的问题：

We’re all human, and share some common human nature. But at the same time, we are from different cultural backgrounds, so there’s a little bit of difference between us. 

我们都是人类、有些共同的人性。可是同时，我们是从不同的文化背景，所以咱们之间还是有一些区别。

 

And since we know, Josh, you have been both in China and America for many years, what kind of characteristics do you think Chinese people should learn from American people? 

而且因为我们知道，树华，你在中国和美国都待过很多年，你觉得美国人的那些方面值得中国人学习呢？

 

And in reverse, which one do you think American people should learn from Chinese people, and why? Thank you!

反过来说，你觉得美国人应该学习中国人的那些方面呢，而且为什么？谢谢！

Thanks Andy. 

谢谢Andy。

Oh, this is a hard question.

啊，这个问题有点难。

I have to be careful, or else I might insult Chinese people or insult American people.

我需要小心，否则会得罪中国人或者得罪美国人。

I think one thing Chinese people can learn from American people is how to relax. 

一个我觉得中国人可以学习的事情就是如何放松。

A lot of Chinese people I know are always worried about something, like their job or their family or the house they want to buy.

我认识的很多中国人一直在担心某一些事情，比如说工作、或者家庭、或者想买的房子。

Americans worry too, but I don’t think Americans let worry control their lives as much as many Chinese people I know.

美国人也会纠结，但是觉得美国人不会那么的让那些顾虑影响到他们的生活。

On the other hand, I think one thing Americans can learn from Chinese is how to control themselves.

另一方面，我觉得美国人可以从中国人的身上学习如何控制自己。

Americans are much more likely to lose their temper or be mean to each other.

美国人更容易练级或者对别人不好。

But I’ve found that Chinese people are often more able to control their feelings, and that saves everyone a lot of trouble.

可是我发现中国人更能够控制自己的感情，这样对所有人省事多了。

What do you think? Do you agree with me? What do you think Chinese people can learn, and what do you think Americans can learn? I’m very curious to know your answer!

你觉得呢？你同意吗？你觉得中国人可以学习什么，而且美国人可以学习什么？我对你的想法充满好奇！

CareerFail的问题：

Hi, Josh! I have a question for you regarding an interesting thing from American culture. Why do you say “Bless you!” when somebody sneezes around you, and how is the one who sneezed supposed to react to it? Thank you, and I look forward to your answer!

嗨，树华！我有个问题，关于美国文化里面的一个有意思的环节。为什么打喷嚏之后，别人要说 “上帝保佑你“？而且，打喷嚏的那个人该怎么回答呢？谢谢，期待你的回复！

Thanks for your question, CareerFail!

谢谢你的问题，CareerFail!

You asked two questions. 

你问的是两个问题。

First, what should you say when someone says “Bless you?”

首先，别人说“上帝保佑你”，你该怎么回答呢？

That’s easy. Just say, “Thank you!”

很简单。就说，“谢谢！”

Some people don’t even reply, but replying is polite. So, just say, “Thank you!”

有的人连回都不回，可是回复比较礼貌。所以，就简单说 “谢谢！”

Now, the second question: WHY do people say “bless you” when someone sneezes?

那么，第二个问题：为什么要在打喷嚏的时候说 “上帝保佑你”？

Around Europe, most cultures say something when people sneeze, and usually it’s about wishing them good health.

在欧洲，大部分文化里面要在别人打喷嚏的时候说某一句话，平常跟健康有关。

In Spanish they say Salud, In German they say Gesundheit, and in Ireland they say Sláint. All of these mean “health.”

西班牙会说Salud, 德文会说Gesundheit, 爱尔兰语会说Sláint。这些都是“健康”的意思。

That makes sense, because if someone is getting sick, you want them to be healthy.

这也有道理，因为如果别人要生病的话，你当然想要他们能够健康。

In English we say “bless you” because it’s like asking God to help keep you from getting sick, or stop something evil from entering your body. 

英语中，我们说“上帝保佑你”是因为这是让上帝帮你避免生病，或者放置一些恶意的东西进入你的身体。

Nowadays, even though most people don’t think about God when they say “bless you,” it’s still the polite thing to say.

现在，虽然大部分说“上帝保佑你”不会真的想到上帝，但是这还是一个礼貌的说法。

It’s tradition! 

就是传统！