4. American Social Relations                  Gladys G. Doty      Janet Ross    American society is much more informal than that of many other countries and ,in some ways, is characterized by less social distinction. The American mixture of pride in achievement and sense of “I’m just as good as anybody else.” Along with lack of importance placed on personal dignity, is difficult for a foreigner to understand. Americans in general do not like to be considered inferior, and they grumble loudly about inconveniences or not getting a “fair deal.” Yet they do not make a point of their personal honor. As an illustration of the difference between European and American reflection in this respect, John Whyte in American Words and Ways gives the following account.
美国的社会比其他国家的社会更加非正式，在某些方面，美国社会的特征就是较少的社会差别。美国式的混合物－个人的成就感、不比别人差的优越感以及对个人尊严缺乏重要性，这些对一个外国人来说是很难理解的。通常来讲美国人不喜欢被别人看成低人一等的，他们也会为自己遭受的不便而抱怨，还会为自己没有得到公平的待遇而抱怨。然而，他们也不是很重视自己的荣誉。在这一方面，为了更好展示欧洲人和美国人的不同反映，John Whyte 在《美国语言和方式》这本书里给了我们如下的描述。
  A ...[European] professor [visiting in America ] was once sent a bill for hospital services which he had never enjoyed. The bill was accompanied by a strong letter demanding payment. It was obvious that a mistake in name had been made, but the professor, thoroughly aroused by this reflection on his character and financial integrity , wrote a vigorous letter of reply (which an American might also have done ). But in this letter of reply he demanded that the creditor write him a formal letter of apology …for this reflection on his honor. Since on publicity could possibly have been given to the mistake, for mistake it was ,most Americans in that situation, after getting the matter off their chest (or without doing that )would have let the matter rest.
有位欧洲的教授曾在美国访问，他有次收到一份在医院接受的账单，实际上他并没有接受过任何。随附账单还有一封措施很强烈的信件。很明显这是因为把姓名弄错了，但是这位教授由于对信中对自己人格以及金钱方面的廉洁而提出的质疑感到不舒服，他也写了一份措辞很激烈的回信。（美国人也会这样去做）。但是在这份回信中，这位欧洲教授要求他的债权人写一份正式的道歉信，就因为对他人格的指责。由于这样的错误并没有被公众知悉，即使这样的错误已经发生了，但大多数美国人在这种形势下，只是将其宣泄一番，甚至
有的人根本就不用宣泄，就让这件事情过去了。
  An example of the same thing may be that although Americans like to talk about their accomplishment ,it is their custom to show certain modesty in reply to compliments. When someone praises an American upon his achievement or upon his personal appearance ,which, incidentally, is a very polite thing to do in America, the American turns it aside. If someone should say, “Congratulations upon being elected president of the club,” an American is expected to reply, “well, I hope I can do a good job,” or something of the sort. Or if someone says . “That’s pretty blue necktie you are wearing,” an American is likely to say ,”I’m glad you like it,” or “Thank you My wife gave it to me for my birthday.” The response to a compliment seldom conveys the idea, “I, too, think I’m pretty good.”
同样的事情我再给你举一个例子，尽管美国人比较喜欢讨论自己的成就，但是他们有个习俗，那就是如果你得到某种赞美时，你的回答要展示某种谦虚。当有人在赞美一个美国人诸如他的成就或外貌的时候，这些话题在美国被认为是很有礼貌的事情，他也不会太在意。如果有人对一个美国人说：“祝贺你当选俱乐部主席”，他会回答“我希望把工作做好”或者诸如词
类的话语。当有人说：“你打的领结很漂亮”，而美国人会说“我很高兴你喜欢它”或者“谢谢你，这是我妻子送给我的生日礼物”。所有对这种赞美的回答从来都不会传达这样的含义即“我也认为我挺不错的”
less is more英文理解    Likewise ,there are fewer social conventions that show social differences in America. Students do not rise when a teacher enters the room .on does not always address a person by his title, such as “professor” or “Doctor” (“Doctor” is always used ,however ,for a doctor of medicine). The respectful “sit” is not always use in the northern and western parts of the country .
同样的，在美国也很少有那种社会习俗来表现这种社会差异。当老师进教室的时候，学生是不起立的。也不经常在一个人的名字前面加一些头衔，比如教授或博士。（DOCTOR 如果从医药学方面来称呼也是可以的）。表示尊敬含义的SIR在美国北部和西部也是很少使用的。
  Clothing in America ,as in every place in the word, to a certain degree reflects a person’s social position and income, or , at least among the young, his attitudes toward society or to
ward himself. Yet no person is restricted to a certain uniform or  manner of dress because of his occupations or class in society.  A bank president may wear overalls to paint his house and it not ashamed of either the job or the clothing, and a common laborer may wear a rented tuxedo at his daughter’s wedding .
    在美国正如在世界上其他地方一样，从某种意义上，人的穿着会反映其社会地位和收入，或者至少在年轻人当中可以反映这个社会或者自己的态度。但是由于自已的职业或社会地位，没有任何一个只局限穿一种特定的制服或选择某种特定的穿衣方式。一个银行的行长在粉刷自己房子的时候会穿工装服，而且不会因这种工作和穿衣的方式而感到羞愧。而一个普通劳动者在自己女儿的婚礼上也会租穿一件无尾燕尾服。
  Yet in spite of all the informality, America it not completely without customs that show consciousness of social distinction. For example, one is likely to use somewhat more formal language when talking to superiors.  While the informal “Hello” is an acceptable greeting form employee to employer, the employee is more apt to say. “Hello, Mr. Ferguson.” Whereas the employer may reply, “Hello, Jim.” Southerners make a point of say
ing “Yes, sir,” or “Yes ,ma’ma,” or “No, sir,” or “No , ma’ma,” when talking to an older person or a person in position of authority. Although this is a good form all over the United States, “Yes, Mr. Weston” or “No, Mr. Baker” is somewhat more common in a similar situation in the North or West .

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