商务礼节美语第171期:Faux Pas 失礼(下)

　　中国雇员Kathy要去美国考察，她找美国同事Mark了解美国文化，以免在待人接物的时候在礼节方面闹笑话。
K: If I'm using public transport...should I give up my seat if I see elderly people?
M: Yes. I think that's proper behavior pretty much everywhere in the world. Give up your seat to pregnant¹ women, senior citizens and people with small children.
K: A friend told me that Westerners don't like it when people blow their nose.
M: Actually, that's true. In the West many think blowing your nose in public is a bit rude. Of course, if you have to do it, then you may - just turn as far away from people as possible and do it quietly. It would be even better to get up and move away before blowing your nose.
K: Wow...that's good to know. I might have committed a real "faux pas."
坐公交车给老人、小孩和孕妇让座，到哪里都不会错。在大庭广众之下擤鼻子会被认为是举止粗鲁。It is a bit rude to blow your nose in public. 如果迫不得已，最好尽量离别人远点，或者索性站起来，到旁边去擤鼻子。
M: And of course, spitting is always a no-no.
K: Yeah. I agree with that one. It's disgusting when someone coughs and spits in public. In the movies it seems like all Westerners wear their shoes indoors², is this true?
M: Many people in America do wear their shoes in the house. You should wipe off your shoes on the doormat before you go inside. But...more and more Western people are beginning to follow the Asian tradition of removing your shoes in the house.
Mark说，随地吐痰是绝对不行的。 Spitting is always a no-no. 美国人在家也穿鞋？Mark说，不少美国人在家确实穿鞋，但是去别人家作客，最好wipe off your shoes on the doormat before you go inside，进去以前最好在门垫上把鞋底擦干净。
K: My boss told me that it's a super big faux pas to be late in Japan. Is that true in America as well?
M: Yes...but we are a little more flexible. If you arrive within five minutes of a meeting time it might be OK. But it's always best to be on time or be early.
K: When I was in London last year I was eating with my Chinese friend. She whistled for a waiter to come over and when the man came over, he looked so angry!
M: Oh, yes...that's a major faux pas. NEVER snap³ your fingers or whistle at any kind of service personnel⁴. It's considered very impolite!
K: Mark...I can't thank you enough for your tips! I really appreciate it!
M: Sure! Let's chat again before you leave.
迟到在日本是大忌，a super big faux pas。 Mark说，在美国虽然没那么严格，迟到五分钟也算正常，但最好还是准时或是提前到。还有，在西方，招呼任何服务人员，都不能打响指或是吹口哨。 NEVER snap your fingers or whistle at any kind of service personnel. 这样做被认为是非常不礼貌的。

1 pregnant   

adj.怀孕的，怀胎的

参考例句：

• She is a pregnant woman.她是一名孕妇。
• She is pregnant with her first child.她怀了第一胎。

2 indoors   

adv.(在)室内，(在)户内

参考例句：

• Because of the coldness of the weather we stayed indoors.我们因天气寒冷呆在家里。
• It is very cold outside,you'd better come indoors across the board.外面很冷，你们所有人最好都进屋。

3 snap   

n.啪地移动，突然断掉；v.猛咬，咬断，谩骂，砰然关上

参考例句：

• He broke off the twig with a snap.他啪地一声把那根树枝折断了。
• These earrings snap on with special fasteners.这副耳环是用特制的按扣扣上去的。

4 personnel   

n.[总称]人员，员工，人事部门

参考例句：

• The personnel are not happy to change these rules.全体工作人员对改变这些规定很不高兴。
• Personnel has lost my tax forms.人事部门把我的税收表格给弄丢了。