中美文化差异Culture Difference.docx

1、中美文化差异Culture Difference中美文化差异(Culture Difference):种族 National raceThe whole question of the changing role of Blacks in American society as been the subject of newspaper articles around the world so frequently that visitors to the United States do not know what to expect when they arrive. They may b

2、e surprised when they see that Blacks and Whites work side by side in offices , factories , andschools acrossthe country . The majority of Blacks in the United States, however, live in and around only a small number of American cities.Many dark-skinned visitors arrive in the United States fearing pe

3、rsonal attack or expecting various degrees of racial prejudice. Some forms ofdiscrimination still exist ,unfortunately, especially in the areas of thehousing , schools , and jobs . The school equality is still more a dream than a reality. There are still too many areas ofthe country where Black Amer

4、icans do not enjoy the same full opportunities as White Americans . However, the vast majority of American s are working, studying, and sharing public places together. This was not true even a few years ago in some parts of the country, but progress is steadily being made. You will be able to observ

5、e the improvement in race relations as soon as yourplane lands . You will see it in the airport, in public buses and trains , in theaters , restaurants , rest room, insops and libraries , in offices and factories . Close personal friendships between Blacks and Whites , full trust and social relation

6、ships are still not common , except in certain areas,However, even in this - the slowest area of progress-there has been change , especially among young people.文化差异(Culture Difference):财富与特权 Wealth and PrivilegeOwning cars , large houses , or swimming pools mean different things in different culture

7、s and may confuse a visitor to the United States . In many nations , only the rich have such things as cars and swimming pools ; the poor have very little. By contrast, this is not true in the United States . The cost of certain things that only the rich can afford in other countries is relatively l

8、ow. This means that laborers , farmers , andpeople who are not usually regarded as rich nevertheless have many possessions tat only the rich have in other nations . Understandably a visitor may assume that all Americans who own cars are as rich as people in his own countrywho own cars . Actually , t

9、his is not the cases; secretaries, university students , factory workers or farmers canand do buy cars and many other expensive things . Generally , they pay for these possessions gradually , during a period of many months , or even years , so that the cost each most is not too highin relation to th

10、eir monthly wages . 文化差异(Culture Difference): 个人的进步 Personal ProgressIn many parts of the world , personal influence is essential in achieving success. This is not true in the United States, where success usually results from hard work , education, skill, and personal initiative , America is truly a

11、do-it-yourself society ; success is not dependent on familyorigins orthe help of an influential person . Personal progress is the result of individual effort. Because effort and initiative are so important in America , there are many customs that may be different from those practiced in other countr

12、ies. For example , it is not considered dishonorable to quit a job, even if you have had it for only a short time . Moving from job-to -job , or job-hopping , as it is called , is quite acceptable in the United States. Frequently , the opportunityto change jobs offers workers a chance to move up to

13、a better position. Americans like to move from place to place trying new jobs, meeting new peopleand living in different parts of the country. Job-hopping also gives employers a chance to benefit from the new ideas and skills thatdifferent people bring to their jobs even if suchpeople are employed f

14、or only a short time.文化差异(Culture Difference): 真实还是礼貌？ Truth or Courtesy ?Just as the degree of individual freedom that exists in America seems loose and therefore uncomfortable to many visitors . In many countries , people will tell youwhat they think you want to here , whether or not it is true. T

15、o them , this is the polite thing to do. To Americans it is considered confusing -even dishonest -to avoid telling the true facts. even if avoiding the truth is done only to be polite . It is helpful to remember that different cultures consider some matters more important than others . Wit Americans

16、 , however, trust and truth are most important. One of the worst tings that can be said about someone in America is that you cannot trust himConsidering such differences in values among the many cultures of the world, it is natural that misunderstandings 1 will occur. How far is it to the next town? an American asks a man standing by the edge of a road. In some countries , because the man realizes the traveler is tired and e