http://www.100md.com
2006年9月28日
I have spent almost three years in China - first as a tourist, then as an English teacher, then as a student, and now as a businessman. People, both Chinese and American, often ask me what I think about China. They want to know what I think about the country, the people, the food, and especially want to know about the cultural differences. Having lived both inside and outside China, I hope I can share a little bit about what I have seen and learned.
我在中国差不多呆了3年了——最初是名游客，后来做了英语老师，然后又成为了学生，而现在则是一名商人。无论是中国人还是美国人，都经常问我是怎么看待中国的。他们想要了解我是如何看待这个国家及其民众和饮食的，而且特想了解文化上的差异。由于我在中国以及中国之外的地区都曾生活过，所以希望自己可以分享一点儿我的所见所闻。
First, I would like to say that there are two sides to every story, so every country has its upside and downside. And I think in most cultures it is easier to sing praises than to say something negative.Out of respect and kindness, most people will not say something derogatory or hurtful. However, I think it is good to look at both sides, as long as there is no malice in what we say. I believe we can learn from seeing both sides.
首先，我想说的是每个故事都有两面性，因此，每个国家都有其优缺点。而且我认为，在大多数文化中，唱赞歌比提批评要容易些。出于尊重和善意，大多数人不会说一些有贬损意味或者伤感情的事情。然而，我觉得，只要我们的言语中没有恶意，从两面看问题是有益的。我相信，我们能从两面看问题中学到东西。
An example of this is I think China is a beautiful country with kind people. I have had wonderful visits to Tai Shan, Huang Shan, Jiu Zhai Gou, Guilin, and Hainan. The serenity and stunning vistas of Tiger Leaping Gorge have touched my heart so much that I have been three times - and I know that there are even more wonderful things to see and experience in China. But on the other hand, I also think most people would agree that even though China has so much natural beauty, China also needs to take better care of the environment. I am sure it saddens everyone to see trash and pollution.
举一个这方面的例子：我觉得中国是个拥有善良人民的美丽国家。我曾经在泰山、华山、九寨沟、桂林和海南有过令人愉悦的旅游经历。虎跳峡的祥和与丽景触动了我的心扉，以至于我去了3次(我知道在中国还有更精彩的东西去看去体验)。但是在另一方面，我也觉得，大多数人都会赞同一点，那就是即便中国拥有那么多的自然美景，中国也还是需要更好地保护环境的。我确信，看到垃圾和污物会让每个人都伤心的。
I have seen first hand how family, children and success are extremely important in the Chinese culture. I am constantly moved by the sight of three generations of a Chinese family playing in the park or walking on the street after dinner. I have seen how parents want the best for their children and I can see how Chinese believe in education and know that a good education is important to one's future. I feel this desire for what's best and for success is extremely prevalent in China, and although this is a desirable trait, the end result is not always perfect.
我自己亲身见证了家庭、孩子和成功在中国文化中的极端重要性。我常常会被中国家庭祖孙三代在晚餐后嬉戏于公园或漫步街头的画面所感动。我见证了父母是多么想让自己的子女万事如意，同时也见证了中国人是多么坚信教育的力量并意识到良好教育对一个人未来的重要性。我觉得，这种对万事如意和成功的渴望在中国是极其普遍的，虽然这种心意可嘉，但结局并非总是完美的。
Because of this strong desire to succeed, the majority of my students studied and worked hard.Although kids will be kids and every class has the shining stars and a few bad apples, the students I taught were courteous and well-mannered and respectful. I often found students sitting in classrooms writing papers or toiling over their homework and students frequently told me they only had time for their studies. One thing I found so refreshing was how students have respect for teachers. I also found it cute that, either because I was their teacher or because I was a foreigner, my students almost cared and worried about me too much - making sure I crossed the street safely as if I was their grandfather.
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(拉尔夫·瓦斯塔戈)
我在中国差不多呆了3年了——最初是名游客，后来做了英语老师，然后又成为了学生，而现在则是一名商人。无论是中国人还是美国人，都经常问我是怎么看待中国的。他们想要了解我是如何看待这个国家及其民众和饮食的，而且特想了解文化上的差异。由于我在中国以及中国之外的地区都曾生活过，所以希望自己可以分享一点儿我的所见所闻。
First, I would like to say that there are two sides to every story, so every country has its upside and downside. And I think in most cultures it is easier to sing praises than to say something negative.Out of respect and kindness, most people will not say something derogatory or hurtful. However, I think it is good to look at both sides, as long as there is no malice in what we say. I believe we can learn from seeing both sides.
首先，我想说的是每个故事都有两面性，因此，每个国家都有其优缺点。而且我认为，在大多数文化中，唱赞歌比提批评要容易些。出于尊重和善意，大多数人不会说一些有贬损意味或者伤感情的事情。然而，我觉得，只要我们的言语中没有恶意，从两面看问题是有益的。我相信，我们能从两面看问题中学到东西。
An example of this is I think China is a beautiful country with kind people. I have had wonderful visits to Tai Shan, Huang Shan, Jiu Zhai Gou, Guilin, and Hainan. The serenity and stunning vistas of Tiger Leaping Gorge have touched my heart so much that I have been three times - and I know that there are even more wonderful things to see and experience in China. But on the other hand, I also think most people would agree that even though China has so much natural beauty, China also needs to take better care of the environment. I am sure it saddens everyone to see trash and pollution.
举一个这方面的例子：我觉得中国是个拥有善良人民的美丽国家。我曾经在泰山、华山、九寨沟、桂林和海南有过令人愉悦的旅游经历。虎跳峡的祥和与丽景触动了我的心扉，以至于我去了3次(我知道在中国还有更精彩的东西去看去体验)。但是在另一方面，我也觉得，大多数人都会赞同一点，那就是即便中国拥有那么多的自然美景，中国也还是需要更好地保护环境的。我确信，看到垃圾和污物会让每个人都伤心的。
I have seen first hand how family, children and success are extremely important in the Chinese culture. I am constantly moved by the sight of three generations of a Chinese family playing in the park or walking on the street after dinner. I have seen how parents want the best for their children and I can see how Chinese believe in education and know that a good education is important to one's future. I feel this desire for what's best and for success is extremely prevalent in China, and although this is a desirable trait, the end result is not always perfect.
我自己亲身见证了家庭、孩子和成功在中国文化中的极端重要性。我常常会被中国家庭祖孙三代在晚餐后嬉戏于公园或漫步街头的画面所感动。我见证了父母是多么想让自己的子女万事如意，同时也见证了中国人是多么坚信教育的力量并意识到良好教育对一个人未来的重要性。我觉得，这种对万事如意和成功的渴望在中国是极其普遍的，虽然这种心意可嘉，但结局并非总是完美的。
Because of this strong desire to succeed, the majority of my students studied and worked hard.Although kids will be kids and every class has the shining stars and a few bad apples, the students I taught were courteous and well-mannered and respectful. I often found students sitting in classrooms writing papers or toiling over their homework and students frequently told me they only had time for their studies. One thing I found so refreshing was how students have respect for teachers. I also found it cute that, either because I was their teacher or because I was a foreigner, my students almost cared and worried about me too much - making sure I crossed the street safely as if I was their grandfather.
[ 下 页 ]
(拉尔夫·瓦斯塔戈)