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Unit 3 Culture
After-Class Reading
PASSAGE I Dining Customs in America
New Words
apt *
adj. likely or having a tendency (to do something) 有......倾向
candy *
n. sweets or chocolate 糖；巧克力
celery
n. 芹菜
cob
n. corn cob, or corn on the cob 玉米棒子
contrary *
n. the opposite 相反，对立
e.g. The contrary of "wet" is "dry".
courteous
adj. having or showing good manners; polite 有礼貌的
customary *
adj. 合乎习俗的
e.g. Is it customary to tip (给小费) waiters in your country?
disappointed *
adj. 失望的
e.g. I'm disappointed with his behavior.
embarrassment *
n. the feeling you have when you are ashamed, nervous, or uncomfortable in a social situation 尴尬
e.g. The day began badly with a series of embarrassments and misunderstandings.
equality *
n. a position or situation in which people have the same rights, advantages etc. 平等
e.g. I believe in equality between men and women.
favor *
n. an act of kindness that one does to help somebody, especially when asked 善行，恩惠
e.g. Do me a favor and turn the radio down while I'm on the phone, will you?
intend *
v. 打算
e.g. I intended to do it, but I'm afraid I forgot.
lettuce
n. 莴苣，生菜
likewise *
adv. similarly 同样地
e.g. I got up very early, and my host likewise.
napkin *
n. 餐巾
olive *
n. 橄榄
original *
adj. existing from the beginning; first or earliest 原先的
e.g. The land was returned to the original owner.
overstay
v. stay longer than (a period of time) 呆得超过某期限
e.g. We've already overstayed our visit to Aunt Sophia.
peculiar *
adj. belonging only to someone or something 特有的
e.g. This type of building is peculiar to the south of the country.
prompt *
adj. done quickly, immediately, or at the right time 准时的，迅速的
e.g. They have written back already--that was a very prompt reply.
radish
n. 萝卜
saucer *
n. small shallow curved dish on which a cup stands 茶托
sensitive *
adj. able to understand what other people need, and to be helpful and kind to them 敏感的
e.g. Dr Abraham said he hoped teachers would be sensitive to signs of stress in children at exam time.
sex *
n. 性别
e.g. Some tests enable you to find out the sex of your baby before it's born.
silverware
n. knives, spoons and forks made of any metal 金属餐具
spill *
v. (spilt, spilt or spilled, spilled) cause something to run or fall over the edge of a container 溢出，洒出
e.g. I spilt coffee on my silk shirt.
thoroughly *
adv. completely 完全地
e.g. We went through the report thoroughly but the information we wanted wasn't given anywhere.
thoughtful
adj. showing concern for the needs of others 体谅的，顾及他人需要的
e.g. It was very thoughtful of you to send flowers.
Dining Customs in America
Every country has its own peculiar dining customs. Americans feel that the first rule of being a polite guest is to be on time. If a person is invited to dinner at six-thirty, the hostess expects him to be there at six-thirty or not more than a few minutes after. Because she usually does the cooking, she times the meal so that the hot rolls and the coffee and meat will be at their best at the time the guests come. If they are late, the food will not be so good, and the hostess will be disappointed. When the guest cannot come on time, he calls his host or hostess on the telephone, gives the reason, and tells at what time he can come. Depending on the situation, guests sometimes bring a box of candy or some flowers to give to the hostess as a sign of appreciation.
As guests continue to arrive, it is usually considered polite for the men in the group to stand when a woman enters the room and continue to stand until she is seated. However, most young people and some groups of older people that stress equality of the sexes no longer observe the custom[1]. A visitor should be sensitive to each situation and follow the lead of the Americans present.
When the guests sit down at a dinner table, it is customary for the men to help the ladies by pushing their chairs under them. Some Americans no longer do this, so the visitor must notice what others do and do likewise. Until the meal is under way, if the dinner is in a private home, a guest may avoid embarrassment by leaving the talking to someone else. Some families have a habit of offering a prayer of thanks before they eat. Other families do not. If a prayer is offered, everyone sits quietly with bowed head until the prayer is over. If the family does not follow the custom, there is no pause in the conversation.
There is a difference between American and European customs in using the knife and fork. Europeans keep the knife in the right hand, the fork in the left. They use both hands in eating. Americans, on the contrary, use just one hand whenever possible and keep the other one on their lap. They constantly change their fork to the left hand when they have to cut meat. Between bites[2] they put the fork on their plate while drinking coffee or buttering bread. Europeans are more apt to drink coffee after the meal and to keep their knife and fork in hand until they finish eating.
Since Americans often lay their silverware down during the meal, certain customs have developed. It is not considered good manners to leave a spoon in a soup bowl or coffee cup or any other dish. It is put where it will lie flat (a coffee spoon on the saucer, a soup spoon on the service plate beside the soup bowl, etc.) but not on the table-cloth. By doing this, one is less likely to knock the silverware onto the floor or spill the food. Another difference in custom is that Americans and Europeans use the side of the soup spoon, not the tip[3].
Americans do not use silverware for eating bread. They hold it in their fingers, usually breaking it first. Other things that Americans eat with their fingers are corn on the cob, celery, radishes, and olives. In America a person does not eat lettuce that way, nor pick up a soup bowl to drink what remains at the bottom.
If for any reason a guest has to leave the table during a meal, he or she should ask the hostess, "Would you please excuse me for a minute?" When the meal is finished, the guests put their napkins on the table and rise. Guests do not fold their napkins in the original folds unless they are house guests and intend to stay for more than one meal.
Following dinner, guests usually stay for two or three hours, but the thoughtful person is careful not to overstay his or her welcome[4]. The host and hostess may urge a guest to stay longer in order to be polite, but most dinner parties break up at about 11 o'clock.
As the guests leave, it is the custom to thank the hostess for a very pleasant evening. One may say anything that expresses appreciation. Common expressions are: "Good-bye. It was so nice of you to have me," or "Good-bye. It's been a thoroughly enjoyable evening," or "Thank you. I've had a very nice time." For larger favors than a dinner party, such as an overnight or weekend visit, it is customary to send a thank-you note. (820 words)
Phrases and Expressions
apt to do something
likely or having the tendency to do something 易于做某事
e.g. Some of the staff are apt to arrive late on Mondays.
at one's best
in the best state or form 呈最佳状态
e.g. The singer was at her best during the performance.
break up
(of members of a group) go away in all directions 解散，散去
e.g. The meeting broke up in great confusion.
follow the /someone's lead /example
do as someone else has done
e.g. I don't want you to follow my lead and rush into marriage.
leave something to someone else
entrust something to another person 把某事留给别人
e.g. You can leave the cooking to me.
on the contrary
not at all; the opposite is true 相反
e.g. You weren't boring me. On the contrary, you were interesting me.
under way
happening or being done 已经开始或正在进行着
e.g. Plans are under way for a link road.
PASSAGE II Chinese and American Culture
New Words
adult *
n. a fully grown person or animal 成年人，长成的动物
affection *
n. a feeling of fondness; love 喜爱，爱
e.g. She felt no affection for the child.
alike *
adv. in a similar way 相同地
e.g. The twins were dressed alike.
apart *
adv. 分开
e.g. We were asked to stand in two lines 3 meters apart.
brief *
adj. lasting only a short time 简短的
e.g. a brief conversation/discussion/meeting/visit/delay
broth
n. 原(汁)汤(鱼汤、肉汤、菜汤等)
bystander
n. a person standing near, but not taking part, when something happens 旁观者
centimeter *
n. one 100th part of a meter 厘米
characteristic *
n. 特征，特点
communicate *
v. exchange information, news, ideas, etc. 交流，表达
e.g. I prefer to communicate the results by/in/through writing rather than by giving them over the phone.
comparison *
n. 比较，对比
e.g. It is often useful to make a comparison between two things.
confuse *
v. make something unclear 混淆，弄糊涂
e.g. They confused me by asking so many questions.
contact *
n. a state of touching 接触
e.g. His hand came into contact with a hot surface.
contentedly
adv. 心满意足地
convey *
v. communicate information or a message 表达，传达
e.g. Words cannot convey how delighted I was.
denote *
v. indicate; refer to 表示，象征
e.g. This mark denoted that a word has been deleted (删除).
encouragement *
n. 鼓励
e.g. The teacher's words were a great encouragement to him.
flock *
v. gather, move, come, or go together in great numbers 麇集，成群结队
e.g. In the summer, tourists flock to the museums and art galleries (艺术馆).
handshake
n. an act of shaking somebody's hand with one's own 握手
henpecked
adj. 惧内的
homosexuality
n. 同性恋
idiom *
n. a group of words with a meaning of its own that is different from the meanings of each separate word put together 成语，习惯用语
immodest *
adj. showing or expressing too high an opinion of oneself 自高自大的
impatience *
n. lack of patience 不耐烦
e.g. Pat's impatience with her slower students was beginning to show.
inconvenient *
adj. causing trouble, difficulty or discomfort; awkward 不便的
e.g. They arrived at an inconvenient time--we had just started the meal.
individualist
n. 个人主义者
insult *
v. 侮辱
e.g. I feel a bit insulted that anyone would think me old enough to be her sister.
interpret *
v. decide what the intended meaning of (something) is 理解
e.g. A jury (陪审团) should not interpret the silence of the defendant (被告) as a sign of guilt (有罪).
laughter *
n. 笑声
leap *
v. (leapt, leapt or leaped, leaped) jump over something 跳
e.g. Gavin leaped the gate and ran across the field.
maintain *
v. cause something to continue; keep something in existence at the same level, standard, etc. 保持，维持
e.g. Despite living in different countries, the two families have maintained close links.
male *
n. 男人，雄性动物
miscommunicate *
v. fail to communicate ideas or intentions successfully 无法传达(思想，意图等)；错误传达
offense
n. upset and hurt feelings or feelings of annoyance, often because someone has been rude or shown a lack of respect 不悦，恼怒
on-looking
adj. watching something happening 旁观的
potential *
n. possibility of being developed or used 潜在性，可能性
e.g. She recognized the potential for error in the method being used.
privacy *
n. freedom from interference or public attention 私人权利，个人自由，隐私权
e.g. Newspapers often don't respect the individual's right to privacy.
prolong *
v. make longer especially in time 延长(某事物)(尤指时间)
e.g. They prolonged their visit by a few days.
racial *
adj. characteristic of race 人种的，种族的
rarely *
adv. not often, seldom 不常
e.g. Only rarely do I eat in restaurants.
ridicule
n. (process of) making somebody or something foolish 嘲笑
signify *
v. represent, mean, or be a sign of something 意味
e.g. What do these marks signify?
spoil *
v. (spoilt, spoilt or spoiled, spoiled) 破坏，糟蹋
e.g. The bad news has spoiled my day.
sympathy *
n. sharing the feelings of others; feeling of pity and sorrow 同情，同情心
e.g. She never expressed any sympathy when I was injured.
trappings
n. outward signs of someone's rank, success, or position 外部标志
unaware *
adj. ignorant or not conscious of 未觉察，不知道
e.g. He was unaware of my presence/that I was present.
violate *
v. break or be contrary to (a rule, principle, etc.) 违反，违背
e.g. The construction of the building violated fire regulations (规定).
Chinese and American Culture
Body Language
Even body language has a cultural accent. Chinese stamp their feet to show anger; Americans interpret this as impatience. Chinese clap for themselves after a speech. Americans may see this as immodest. When giving or receiving a gift, Chinese use two hands to denote respect. Americans never even notice.
Americans may pat other adults on the head to show sympathy, affection or encouragement. This behavior could insult Chinese.
Americans point to their chest to signify "me", but think it is funny when Chinese point to their nose.
Even laughter has the potential either to communicate or miscommunicate[1]. An American who fell off his bike was very angry when on-looking Chinese laughed at him. I myself was angered when my son fell down and bystanders laughed. But I learned later that their laughter conveyed sympathy or understanding, not ridicule. When East meets West, how often is offense taken when none is given[2]?
Body Space
American individualists value privacy and men always maintain a distance of 45～80 centimeters between them when they talk. To stand farther apart is inconvenient, to stand closer violates body space. And males rarely touch each other, except for a brief but firm handshake. They certainly never hold hands or sit with arms around one another.
In American culture, frequent, prolonged bodily contact between males suggests homosexuality. Chinese males not only touch each other but also hold hands—a practice that frightens Western males. Chinese often shake my hand and don't let go. They talk away contentedly, unaware of my discomfort as I struggle to free my hand!
Cultural Bridges
Chinese and Americans may be different in many ways, but a comparison of some basic idioms shows that in some ways we think alike.
"Where there's smoke there's fire." (无风不起浪)
"Look before you leap." (三思而后行)
"Where there's a will there's a way." (有志者事竟成)
"At sixes and sevens." (乱七八糟)
"Birds of a feather flock together." (一丘之貉)
"Oil and water don't mix." (水火不容)
"Henpecked." (妻管严)
"Strike while the iron is hot." （趁热打铁）
"More haste, less speed." （欲速则不达）
"Out of sight, out of mind." （眼不见，心不烦）
"All good things must come to an end." （没有不散的宴席）
"Great minds think alike." （英雄所见略同）
"Too many cooks spoil the broth." （厨师多坏一锅汤）
Both Chinese and Americans face life and death, love and hate, hope and fear, work and play. All people's basic needs and philosophies are similar, even when their expression is clouded and confused by racial, cultural or political trappings[3]. And it is these cultural common characteristics upon which we can build understanding, respect and communication. (442 words)
Phrases and Expressions
build...upon
base...on 建立在......之上
e.g. The company's success is built on its very popular computers.
except for
not including 除了
e.g. The meal was excellent except for the first course.
let go
stop holding something 放松，放开
e.g. Let go! You are hurting me.
see... as
consider...to be 把......看作
e.g. Social development is seen as a changing process and not as something static.
take offense
feel offended by something 被......惹恼
e.g. Do you think he took offense at what I said about his hair?
unaware of
ignorant or not conscious of 未觉察，不知道
e.g. He was unaware that the police were watching him.
PASSAGE III Specific Taboos
Proper Names
Brazil
(地名)巴西(南美洲国家)
Catholic
adj. 天主教的
Easter
(基督教)复活节(纪念耶酥复活的节日)
Korean
韩国人，朝鲜人
Latin American
拉丁美洲人
Mexico
(地名)墨西哥(拉丁美洲国家)
Middle East
(地名)中东(一般泛指欧、亚、非三洲连接的地区)
Newcastle
(地名)纽卡斯尔(英格兰东北部港市，其附近产煤)
New Words
accordance *
n. 一致，符合
in accordance with
according to a rule, system, etc. 与......一致，融洽
e.g. I ) I'm in accordance with him in this matter.
II) In accordance with your wishes, I have written to him.
blunt *
v. make a feeling less strong 减弱
e.g. Grief has blunted her senses.
booth
n. 小(房)间，公共电话亭
bouquet
n. a bunch of flowers for carrying in the hand 花束
carving
n. 雕刻品
chrysanthemum
n. 菊花
confessional
n. 告解室，忏悔
e.g. a confessional booth (教堂中神甫听取忏悔的)忏悔室
connotation
n. an idea which a word makes one think of in addition to the main meaning 内涵意义，隐含的意义
conscious *
adj. 感觉到的，意识到的
e.g. Are you conscious (of) how people will regard such behavior?
corporate *
adj. 公司的
e.g. Corporate executives usually have high salaries.
female *
n. 女性，雌性动物
funeral *
n. 葬礼
hierarchy *
n. a system with grades of authority or status from the lowest to the highest 等级制度
inappropriate *
adj. not suitable 不合适的
e.g. It would be inappropriate for me to discuss her case at this meeting.
insert *
v. put, fit, place something into something else or between two things 插入
e.g. He inserted a piece of paper in the printer (打印机).
joint *
adj. shared, held or done by two or more people together 共同的
e.g. a joint effort
lily
n. 百合花
lowly *
adj. low in rank or condition 地位低的
e.g. Don't ask me, I'm just a lowly cleaner.
mold *
v. shape (a soft substance) into a particular form or object 使......成形
e.g. Mold the sausage (香肠) meat into little balls.
notion *
n. an idea or belief 观念，想法
e.g. Have you any notion how much it costs to keep a dog?
odd
adj. 奇数的
e.g. 3, 5, and 7 are all odd numbers.
partially *
adv. not completely; partly 部分地
e.g. He was only partially to blame for the accident.
perfume *
n. 香水
porcelain
n. 瓷器
position *
n. 地位，等级
e.g. You need to ask someone in a position of authority (权威).
prestige *
n. respect based on good reputation, past achievements, etc. 威望
e.g. The teaching position has lost the prestige it used to have.
proverbial
adj. 谚语的，如同谚语的
purple *
adj. 紫色的
romantic *
adj. involving a love affair 浪漫的
secrecy
n. the process of keeping something secret 保密
sexy
adj. 性感的
specific *
adj. detailed, precise and exact 具体的
statue *
n. a figure of a person, an animal, etc. in wood, stone, bronze, etc. usually life-size or larger 雕塑，塑像
subtle *
adj. not obvious or noticeable in any way 难以觉察的，微妙的
e.g. The pictures are similar, but there are subtle differences between them.
symbolism
n. 象征
taboo
n. 禁忌
tone *
v. 定调子
tray *
n. 托盘，盘子
unclothed *
adj. not wearing clothes
undergarment
n. 内衣
well-intentioned *
adj. trying to be helpful 善意的
e.g. well-intentioned grandparents who interfere between parents and children
wrap *
v. wind or fold cloth, paper etc. around something 包，裹
e.g. Wrap the chicken in tin foil (锡箔纸) and cook it for two hours.
Specific Taboos
If someone gave you a lily at any time other than Easter, you might be surprised because in our culture a lily is regarded as a symbol of death. Husbands here might feel hurt if some well-intentioned visitor gave their wives sexy undergarments. Those are just two examples of taboo gifts in America.
So it is with other cultures[1]. We can't possibly mention all of the taboos here—indeed, they probably are not all listed anywhere. However, the following list covers some key taboos:
The Japanese customarily wrap their gifts in paper, but they don't use white paper (color of death); they don't use bright colored paper; and they don't use bows.
Don't give four of anything to a Japanese or Korean; it is the "bad luck" number, like the number 13 in many cultures including the United States and England.
Don't give a clock to a Chinese; the word for clock in Chinese has a funeral connotation to it.
For someone from Hong Kong, giving two of something, or a pair, carries better luck than a single item.
Among Latin Americans, the gift of a knife or knives suggests the "cutting" of a relationship; yet this notion can be blunted by including a coin with the knives.
In the Middle East, a handkerchief suggests tears or parting, and therefore is inappropriate as a gift.
Flowers carry all kinds of symbolism: purple flowers are the flowers of death in Mexico and Brazil; the same with white flowers in Japan; and white chrysanthemums are the flower of death in many European countries. Also, it is considered bad luck in many European countries to present an even number of flowers. Therefore, always present an odd number[2] (except 13, of course).
When you present flowers to a person from Germany, always unwrap the bouquet first.
Giving red roses in Germany signals that you have strong romantic interests. In fact, throughout history, the rose has signified "secrecy". Consider the Latin word sub rosa, meaning secret, and note that many confessional booths in Catholic churches have carvings of roses above the doors.
Giving a French person a gift of perfume is carrying the proverbial coals to Newcastle[3].
In the Middle East, any pictures of partially unclothed females (even of famous statues) or of pet animals, like dogs who are considered dirty and lowly, are inappropriate gifts.
In rank-conscious[4] societies like Japan, be careful to present gifts in accordance with position and prestige. If several persons are involved and you are uncertain about the hierarchy, give the group a joint gift (e.g., a silver tray, a carving, porcelain statue, fine molded glass).
Tone down corporate symbols on your gifts. Either make them very subtle or simply insert your business card with the gift. (502 words)
Phrases and Expressions
other than
apart from, except 除了
e.g. You'll have to use this chair; there's no other than this.
regard... as
think of...as 把......看作
e.g. I regard that movie as one of the worst I've ever seen.
tone down
cause something to become less intense 缓和，减轻
在文中意为“使......变得不太显眼”。
e.g. You'd better tone down the more offensive remarks in your article.
你最好把你文章里的攻击性词句写得含蓄些。
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