英语听力精选进阶版 13981

French hotel apology

Summary

8 October 2012

The founder¹ of the luxury French fashion label Zadig et Voltaire has apologised for saying in an interview that Chinese tourists would not be welcome at a new Paris hotel. The comments have sparked an angry reaction on social networking sites.

Reporter:

Christian² Fraser

Report

The Zadig, due to open in 2014, will be a cosy³, 40-room hotel on Paris's chic⁴ Left Bank. But it won't be open to just anyone: its owner Thierry Gillier told the fashion journal, Women's Wear, that certain kinds of guests would not be allowed, like Chinese tourists, for example. "There is a lot of demand in Paris," said Mr Gillier. "Many people are looking for quiet hotels, with a certain privacy." 

A spokesman for the fashion label said he had NOT been misquoted, but misinterpreted. He later urged the journal to change "Chinese tourists" to "busloads of tourists" But that has not stopped the backlash on Chinese websites. 

Zadig et Voltaire's success has been phenomenal. The company is constantly expanding around the globe. And in a statement designed to limit the damage, Mr Gillier apologised again for any offence caused. "The words do not reflect either my line of thought or my ethics," he said. "The remarks were doubtless clumsy," he added, "and I am deeply sorry they might have hurt my friends from China."

1 Founder   

n.创始者，缔造者

参考例句：

• He was extolled as the founder of their Florentine school.他被称颂为佛罗伦萨画派的鼻祖。
• According to the old tradition,Romulus was the founder of Rome.按照古老的传说，罗穆卢斯是古罗马的建国者。

2 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

3 cosy   

adj.温暖而舒适的，安逸的

参考例句：

• We spent a cosy evening chatting by the fire.我们在炉火旁聊天度过了一个舒适的晚上。
• It was so warm and cosy in bed that Simon didn't want to get out.床上温暖而又舒适，西蒙简直不想下床了。

4 chic   

n./adj.别致(的)，时髦(的)，讲究的

参考例句：

• She bought a chic little hat.她买了一顶别致的小帽子。
• The chic restaurant is patronized by many celebrities.这家时髦的饭店常有名人光顾。