Age. Yes, age is a very sensitive subject to many Americans, especially to women over age 30. In this youth upheld culture, the thought of growing older is a painful one and most of us,if possible, would like to have nothing to do with it. So many Americans work hard to maintain a youthful appearance. The last thing they want to be asked is the unthinkable, "How old are you exactly?"
年齡。是的，對(duì)許多美國(guó)人來(lái)說(shuō)，年齡是個(gè)非常敏感的問(wèn)題，特別是對(duì)年過(guò) 30 的女人來(lái)說(shuō)更是如此。在這個(gè)崇尚年輕文化中，想到變老是很痛苦的。我們大多數(shù)人，如果有可能的話，都不想沾它的邊兒。所以，許多美國(guó)人竭力想維持外貌的年輕，他們最不愿別人問(wèn)及的問(wèn)題就是：“你到底有多大年紀(jì)了？”
Weight. This is one of the touchiest subjects. In America, it is okay, even desirable, to be thin but it is a sin and a huge embarrassment to be overweight. In fact,the thinner you are, the prettier you are considered. Looking through any American fashion magazines, you'll notice that most models are nothing more than skin and bones. Believe it or not, the tall and thin look was the hottest look of the 1990s.
體重。這是最敏感的話題之一。在美國(guó)，長(zhǎng)得瘦是不錯(cuò)，甚至?xí)屓肆w慕，但超重就讓人極為難堪，是種罪過(guò)。實(shí)際上，你越瘦，別人會(huì)認(rèn)為你越漂亮。隨便翻翻美國(guó)哪本時(shí)尚雜志，你會(huì)發(fā)現(xiàn)大多數(shù)模特都是皮包骨頭。不管你信不信，細(xì)高的身材可是20世紀(jì)90年代最酷的。
Americans very much mind their weight and rarely disclose how much they weigh … even if they are thin and in great shape. Therefore, you best not to ask. But if you absolutely have to comment on this subject, it's always safe to say, "Oh， you look like you have lost weight" than "Oh, you look like you put on a few pounds". However, if you would like to be honest but not hurtful, I recommend you choose your words carefully， perhaps by saying, "Hey， you look great. Very healthy looking. " And always remember, it's not fat. It's muscular.
美國(guó)人很關(guān)注體重，且極少透露他們的體重……即使他們很瘦，身材很好。所以，你別問(wèn)為妙。但如果你非得要講，那就說(shuō)：“噢，你看起來(lái)掉磅了”比“噢，你看起來(lái)像是重了幾磅”常常要穩(wěn)妥。然而，如果你想說(shuō)實(shí)話但又不傷人，我建議你用詞要小心，或許可以說(shuō)：“嘿，你看起來(lái)棒極了。很健康?！鼻f(wàn)要記住，那不是脂肪，是肌肉。
Income You should never ask how much someone's salary is. There's no way around this one. However, it's perfectly suitable to ask about their job title and what they do for a living. This information should give you some idea how much they make a year.
收入 你絕對(duì)不要問(wèn)別人掙多少錢。這沒(méi)什么可說(shuō)的。但你完全可以問(wèn)他們的工作頭銜和以什么為生計(jì)。這個(gè)信息可以讓你對(duì)他們一年掙多少有所了解。
Matters of the Heart This is a tricky one. Sometimes you'll run into people who cannot wait to pour their hearts out to you. Then there are those who make sure their personal business stays behind closed doors. The general rule is not to get too personal, too fast. You don't want others to think that you are looking into their lives. Therefore, try not to ask too many questions about someone's love life, marriage and family until you have a friendship with this person. Even then, you better wait for your friend to come to you with the matters of their heart.
心里的事 這是個(gè)很微妙的問(wèn)題。有時(shí)你會(huì)碰到迫不及待向你傾訴心聲的人。但有些人時(shí)刻確保自己的私事不為外人知曉。總的原則是，不要太急于跟人談個(gè)人私事。不要讓人認(rèn)為你在刺探他們的生活。所以，不要對(duì)別人的愛(ài)情、婚姻和家庭情況提太多問(wèn)題，直到你跟此人結(jié)成了朋友。即便那時(shí)，你還是等著你的朋友帶著心事來(lái)找你談。
Anyhow, it's difficult to always avoid conversation landmines so be sensible, watch your steps and try not to open a can of worms.
不管怎樣，在談話中往往難免觸雷，所以頭腦要清醒些，行事要注意些，盡量不要觸及那些忌諱的話題。
年齡。是的，對(duì)許多美國(guó)人來(lái)說(shuō)，年齡是個(gè)非常敏感的問(wèn)題，特別是對(duì)年過(guò) 30 的女人來(lái)說(shuō)更是如此。在這個(gè)崇尚年輕文化中，想到變老是很痛苦的。我們大多數(shù)人，如果有可能的話，都不想沾它的邊兒。所以，許多美國(guó)人竭力想維持外貌的年輕，他們最不愿別人問(wèn)及的問(wèn)題就是：“你到底有多大年紀(jì)了？”
Weight. This is one of the touchiest subjects. In America, it is okay, even desirable, to be thin but it is a sin and a huge embarrassment to be overweight. In fact,the thinner you are, the prettier you are considered. Looking through any American fashion magazines, you'll notice that most models are nothing more than skin and bones. Believe it or not, the tall and thin look was the hottest look of the 1990s.
體重。這是最敏感的話題之一。在美國(guó)，長(zhǎng)得瘦是不錯(cuò)，甚至?xí)屓肆w慕，但超重就讓人極為難堪，是種罪過(guò)。實(shí)際上，你越瘦，別人會(huì)認(rèn)為你越漂亮。隨便翻翻美國(guó)哪本時(shí)尚雜志，你會(huì)發(fā)現(xiàn)大多數(shù)模特都是皮包骨頭。不管你信不信，細(xì)高的身材可是20世紀(jì)90年代最酷的。
Americans very much mind their weight and rarely disclose how much they weigh … even if they are thin and in great shape. Therefore, you best not to ask. But if you absolutely have to comment on this subject, it's always safe to say, "Oh， you look like you have lost weight" than "Oh, you look like you put on a few pounds". However, if you would like to be honest but not hurtful, I recommend you choose your words carefully， perhaps by saying, "Hey， you look great. Very healthy looking. " And always remember, it's not fat. It's muscular.
美國(guó)人很關(guān)注體重，且極少透露他們的體重……即使他們很瘦，身材很好。所以，你別問(wèn)為妙。但如果你非得要講，那就說(shuō)：“噢，你看起來(lái)掉磅了”比“噢，你看起來(lái)像是重了幾磅”常常要穩(wěn)妥。然而，如果你想說(shuō)實(shí)話但又不傷人，我建議你用詞要小心，或許可以說(shuō)：“嘿，你看起來(lái)棒極了。很健康?！鼻f(wàn)要記住，那不是脂肪，是肌肉。
Income You should never ask how much someone's salary is. There's no way around this one. However, it's perfectly suitable to ask about their job title and what they do for a living. This information should give you some idea how much they make a year.
收入 你絕對(duì)不要問(wèn)別人掙多少錢。這沒(méi)什么可說(shuō)的。但你完全可以問(wèn)他們的工作頭銜和以什么為生計(jì)。這個(gè)信息可以讓你對(duì)他們一年掙多少有所了解。
Matters of the Heart This is a tricky one. Sometimes you'll run into people who cannot wait to pour their hearts out to you. Then there are those who make sure their personal business stays behind closed doors. The general rule is not to get too personal, too fast. You don't want others to think that you are looking into their lives. Therefore, try not to ask too many questions about someone's love life, marriage and family until you have a friendship with this person. Even then, you better wait for your friend to come to you with the matters of their heart.
心里的事 這是個(gè)很微妙的問(wèn)題。有時(shí)你會(huì)碰到迫不及待向你傾訴心聲的人。但有些人時(shí)刻確保自己的私事不為外人知曉。總的原則是，不要太急于跟人談個(gè)人私事。不要讓人認(rèn)為你在刺探他們的生活。所以，不要對(duì)別人的愛(ài)情、婚姻和家庭情況提太多問(wèn)題，直到你跟此人結(jié)成了朋友。即便那時(shí)，你還是等著你的朋友帶著心事來(lái)找你談。
Anyhow, it's difficult to always avoid conversation landmines so be sensible, watch your steps and try not to open a can of worms.
不管怎樣，在談話中往往難免觸雷，所以頭腦要清醒些，行事要注意些，盡量不要觸及那些忌諱的話題。