Passage 2 Meeting New People

People from different cultures sometimes do things that make each other uncomfortable, without meaning to or sometimes without realizing it.

不同文化背景的人在一起，有时会做出一些令对方感到不舒服的事，他们并非故意要这样做，有时甚至连自己都未察觉。

Most Americans have never been out of the country, and have very little experience with foreigners, but they are usually spontaneous, friendly and open and enjoy meeting new people, having guests, and bringing people together, formally or informally. They tend to use first names in most situations, and speak freely about themselves. So if your American hosts do something that makes you feel uncomfortable, try to let them know how you feel. Most people will appreciate your honesty, and try not to make you feel uncomfortable again.

大多数美国人从未走出国门，几乎没有同外国人打交道的经验。但是这些美国人通常主动、友好、坦率、喜欢结识人，喜欢客人来访，召集正式或非正式的聚会。他们在大部分场合倾向于直呼其名，毫无拘束地谈论自己。所以，要是你的美国主人做出了使你感到不舒服的事，你应该设法让他们知道你的感受。大多数人会喜欢你的诚实态度，尽量不做令你不快的事。

Many travelers find it easier to meet people in the United States than in other countries. They may just come up and introduce themselves or even invite you before they know you. Sometimes Americans are set to be superficial friendly. Perhaps it seems so, but they are probably just having a good time. Just like anywhere else, it takes time to make real friends with people in the United States.

许多旅行者感到在美国结识人比在其他国家要来得容易。美国人可能会直接向你走去、向你做自我介绍，甚至在未真正认识你之前便邀请你做客。有时美国人的友善被认为是一种表面现象。或许真是这么一回事，也许这是他们的兴趣所至。同在其他地方一样，与美国人结成真正的朋友需要一段时间。

When you stay with American friends, they will probably enjoy introducing you to their friends and family. They usually make a point of chance to make you comfortable and relaxed. On the whole, they tend to be informal. Men shake hands, but usually only when they are introduced. When a woman and a man are introduced, shaking hands is up to the woman. Americans rarely shake hands to say goodbye except on business occasions.

当你同美国人在一起时，他们或许喜欢把你介绍给朋友和家人。美国人通常会尽力使你感到舒服、自在。总的说来，他们往往不拘礼节。男子被相互介绍时，他们通常会主动握手，而男女被相互介绍时，是否握手得取决于女方的态度。美国人告别时很少握手，除非在公务场合。

Houseguests may bring gifts when they come to visit, and there often offer to help in some ways. As a guest, you may want to ask your host or hostess if there is anything that you can do in the kitchen. In many cases, the gesture is more important than actually.

拜访家庭时，客人可以携带礼品上门。客人常常会主动表示在某方面做主人的帮手。做客时你可以问主人，厨房里有无你可以帮忙的事。在许多情况下，这种主动帮忙的表示比实际行动显得更重要。