VOA标准英语2014 很多美国人认为感恩节购物是对传统的侵蚀

 

Holiday Shopping Erodes¹ Thanksgiving Tradition, Many Say 很多美国人认为感恩节购物是对传统的侵蚀

Never mind the traditional meal of roast turkey with family and friends on Thursday.  For some, Thanksgiving Day marks the unofficial start to the holiday shopping season.

Although some have called it the decline of an American tradition, consumers looking for the best bargains say they can’t wait to go shopping.

Some people who have to work during the holiday see it as an opportunity to earn extra cash, but many others aren't happy about not being able to observe the occasion with loved ones.  

Kmart employee Donna Fisher was told she has to work or face the consequences — and she says that’s unfair.

“There’s no choice in it whatsoever," she said. "It breaks my heart, it really does — to see this is all about the money, it’s not about Thanksgiving.”

So her daughter Jillian launched an online petition demanding that Kmart allow its employees time off on Thanksgiving day so they can be with their families. Thousands have signed the petition.  

The days ahead of Christmas and Thanksgiving are among the busiest travel days for Americans. While retailers³ insist the early start to the shopping season will make it more convenient for customers, others argue that the large crowds and the hype are not worth the savings⁴.  

The Consumer Federation⁵ of America’s Stephen Brobeck believes the holiday marketing⁶ onslaught should begin after Thanksgiving.   

“I don’t know whether most Americans are concerned, but I am personally, in part because I don’t feel as if I have an adequate opportunity to count my blessings⁷ at Thanksgiving," he said.

Those buying gifts are expected to spend more than $600 billion during the holiday season, or about 4 percent more than they did last year.  Kmart is just one of a long list of stores trying to get a bigger share of consumer dollars.  Macy’s Department Store plans to open Thanksgiving Day, as will retail² giant Walmart.

1 erodes   

侵蚀，腐蚀( erode的第三人称单数 )； 逐渐毁坏，削弱，损害

参考例句：

• The sea erodes the rock. 海水侵蚀岩石。
• The sea erodes the land. 海洋侵蚀陆地。

2 retail   

v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格

参考例句：

• In this shop they retail tobacco and sweets.这家铺子零售香烟和糖果。
• These shoes retail at 10 yuan a pair.这些鞋子零卖10元一双。

3 retailers   

零售商，零售店( retailer的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• High street retailers reported a marked increase in sales before Christmas. 商业街的零售商报告说圣诞节前销售量显著提高。
• Retailers have a statutory duty to provide goods suitable for their purpose. 零售商有为他们提供符合要求的货品的法定义务。

4 savings   

n.存款，储蓄

参考例句：

• I can't afford the vacation,for it would eat up my savings.我度不起假，那样会把我的积蓄用光的。
• By this time he had used up all his savings.到这时，他的存款已全部用完。

5 federation   

n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会

参考例句：

• It is a federation of 10 regional unions.它是由十个地方工会结合成的联合会。
• Mr.Putin was inaugurated as the President of the Russian Federation.普京正式就任俄罗斯联邦总统。

6 marketing   

n.行销，在市场的买卖，买东西

参考例句：

• They are developing marketing network.他们正在发展销售网络。
• He often goes marketing.他经常去市场做生意。

7 blessings   

n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福

参考例句：

• Afflictions are sometimes blessings in disguise. 塞翁失马，焉知非福。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• We don't rely on blessings from Heaven. 我们不靠老天保佑。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》