Jerry要去中国出差，找同事Amy请教。
Jerry: Hey Amy...your family is from China, right?
嘿，艾米……你来在中国对吗？
A:Yep. I was born and raised in Shanghai. Why do you ask?
是的，我出生在上海，并且在那儿长大的。你为什么问这个？
J: Well, I hope you don't mind...but I'm planning a business trip to China soon and I was wondering if you could give me some pointers.
嗯，我希望你不要介意……我打算不久到中国商务旅行，我想知道你有没有什么建议？
A: You mean like where to go for food or shopping?
你是说到哪里吃饭或者购物吗？
J: That would be good, too. But I'm actually hoping you might give me some insights into doing business in China.
说这些也不错。但是我是希望你能给我些在中国做生意的启示。
A: Ah...sure! I think I can help. Do you have a specific question?
哈……当然可以！我想我能帮助到你。你有特别想要问我的吗？
Jerry准备去中国出差，希望Amy能给自己点建议give me some pointers. pointer is spelled p-o-i-n-t-e-r, pointer是指点，建议的意思。Amy从小在上海长大，看来Jerry算是找对人了。Jerry并不是想了解吃饭、购物的事，而是想知道在中国做生意的一些规矩。
J: Well, for starters, what do they mean by "saving face?"
嗯，首先，有面子是什么意思？
A: "Saving face" is a catch-all term for the concept of honor. In China there is a protocol to everything and it should be followed, otherwise you and the other party might be embarrassed.
有面子是所有跟荣誉和颜面有关的问题。在中国所有的事情都是有规矩的，并且都是要遵守的，否则会让人觉得没面子。
J: So in short...saving face is about avoiding embarrassment?
因此，简而言之……有面子是避免难为情吗？
A: Exactly. Say you're late to a meeting. This would cause you to lose face.
的确是这样。比如你开会迟到了，这样的话会让你没有头面子。
For starters, 首先，Jerry想知道什么是有面子，saving face. Amy解释说，saving face is a catch-all term for the concept of honor. 有面子包括了所有跟荣誉和颜面有关的问题。
这里所说的catch-all is spelled c-a-t-c-h, catch, a-l-l, all, catch-all，意思是全部包含、统统适用的。Amy说，中国人干什么都讲究规矩，protocol, p-r-o-t-o-c-o-l, protocol, 按规矩做事，大家都有面子，破坏了规矩，就会让人lose face，丢脸，比如说开会迟到。
J: How can you go about regaining your "face", or your honor?
如何才能挽回面子，或者你的颜面呢？
A: It depends on how serious the offense was. If you were late, you can repeatedly apologize and the other person will probably forgive you.
这要看你的错误的严重程度了。如果你迟到了，你如果重复道歉，别人也许会原谅你。
J: But I would need to apologize more times than I would if I was late here in America?
但是在美国我可能要道歉更多次才行。
A: Yes. Make many apologies. The person will probably say it's not a big deal, but in fact it could be a pretty big deal to them, so make sure to say sorry if you make a mistake.
是的，再三地道歉。对方也许会说没什么大不了的，但是事实上，他们在心里会非常在意，因此你要确信犯错的时候要及时道歉。
如何才能regain face挽回面子呢？Amy说，这要看你错误的严重程度。It depends on how serious the offense was. 如果开会迟到，你最好使劲道歉，请求对方原谅。对方可能嘴上会说，it's not a big deal，没什么大不了的，但事实上，他们心里可能非常在意，所以一定要再三道歉。 |