今天的這段對話,在討論禁忌問題,
每個國家的人都會有禁忌話題,東西方人交流盡量不問哪些問題
來聽今天的講解:
A:In China, it's common to ask people their age and salary but when we talk to foreigners, we try not to ask those questions.
中國人之間可以打聽別人的年齡和收入,但我們和外國人交談的時候,就要盡量不問這些問題。
B:Why?
為什么?
A:When I was young I was told it was impolite to ask westerners about their age and salary. So now I keep that in mind when I first meet foreigners.
小時候就有人告訴我向西方人打聽他們的年齡和工資是不禮貌的。因此當(dāng)我和外國人初次見面的時候,我都會牢記這個原則。
B:It's true. Don't talk about age or salary. But in Chinese culture, it's OK to ask. It wouldn't be impolite to ask. People might just think this kind of question is a sign of one's interest in someone else.
對,我們不談年齡和收入。但在中國文化中,是可以問這些問題的。如果你向別人打聽這些,不算不禮貌。人們會認為你對別人的事比較感興趣。
A:You can even ask girls in China about their age. Besides I also heard that in western countries it is impolite to ask someone about his or her marital status. Am I right?
正是這樣。連女孩子的年齡也能問。在西方,打聽有關(guān)別人的婚姻狀況也是非常不禮貌的。是嗎?
B:You're right. In addition, questions about religious beliefs are also considered taboo for westerners. The taboo is related to our need for privacy, something that westerners take very seriously.
確實是這樣的。也有些西方人很忌諱別人打聽他們的宗教信仰,這些忌諱都與西方的隱私問題有關(guān),所以他們非常重視。
A:That is one of the biggest differences between Chinese and Western cultures.
這可能是東西方文化差異之一吧。