英语二人对话
Mind Your Posture注意姿态
Isabella: Matthew, do you know much about body language in countries around the world?
Matthew: Sure. I’ve picked up a few things from travelling around for work. Why?
I: Well, I had a meeting today with a woman from Japan and she wouldn’t stop bowing! I didn’t know what to do!
M: Did you bow back?
I: No, I tried to shake her hand, but her hand was so limp I was a bit offended.
M: Well, Japanese businessmen and women typically bow to greet each other in Japan. She might have been offended by your strong handshake.
I: But she was in America! Shouldn’t she have known that strong handshakes in America signify confidence and respect?
M: Things are different in Japan. You know, in some countries, making eye contact with others is considered rude.
I: Is that why she wouldn’t look at me in the meeting?
M: I think it’s highly possible, yes.
I: The meeting really didn’t go down well at all. I think I need to read up about intercultural communication before I have another meeting with someone from another country.
M: That’s a good idea. When you don’t know much about other cultures, the simplest thing can offend someone.
I: That’s so true. It’s great that we see eye to eye on this.
伊莎贝拉:马修,你了解世界各国的身体语言吗?
马修:当然。我工作中有很多出差的机会,了解到一些这方面的知识。怎么了?
I:好哎,我今天参加了一个会议,会上有个日本女子总是不停地鞠躬!我不知道该怎么办!
M:你鞠躬还礼了吗?
I:没有。我试图跟她握手,可是她的手握上去很无力,我好像有点冒犯她了。
M:哦,在日本,谈生意的人无论男女一般都会互相鞠躬致意。你握手那么用力她很可能因此而有点不愉快。
I:但她这是在美国!难道她不知道,在美国用力握手意味着信任和尊重吗?
M:这跟日本的习俗完全不同。你知道吗,在有些国家,直视对方的眼睛被认为是无礼的举动。
I:这就是她为什么在开会时一直不看我的原因吧?
M:我觉得很可能是这个缘故。
I:这次的会晤进行得非常不顺利。我想下次再出席类似这样有外国人参加的会议之前,一定要熟知一些有关跨文化交流方面的知识。
M:这是个好主意。当你对另一种文化缺乏了解的时候,即使是最简单的举止也会冒犯到别人。
I:一点没错。真高兴咱俩对这件事情看法一致。