心醉魂迷101条你必须知道的美国常识

2020年12月10日发(作者：冀毓振)
101条你必须知道的美国常识

1. America is enormous: the third largest country in
the world
with a population of more than 300 million people.1. 美国
很大，它是世界上第三大国家，拥有3亿多人口。当然这和
中国比起来真的不算什么。
2. Americans come in all colors, have all types of religions,
and
speak many languages from all over the world. 2. 美国人
来自世界各地，由不同的种族构成，信仰不同的宗教，说不
同的语言。
3. Americans are extremely independent, individualistic,
and like
to be different from each other.3. 美国人非常独立，讲究个
人主义，非常喜欢和别人不一样。
4. 66% of Americans are overweight; 37% of those are
obese. 4. 66%的美国人超重，37%的美国人患有肥胖症。加
起来都超过100%了呢。5. Americans believe in freedom of
choice.
5. 美国人认为选择自由是非常重要的。
6. Americans need a lot of “elbow room”; they like personal
space around them. 6. 美国人需要很多“施展空间”，他们喜
欢拥有个人空间。
7. Approximately 1% of Americans are homeless (3.5
million
people). 7. 有1%的美国人无家可归。而他们通常是真的。
8. Americans talk easily to the homeless but use good
judgment
and are careful with whom they talk. 8. 美国人能很轻易地
和流浪汉交谈，不过他们也会有自己判断，选择自己认为友
好的人。
9. Sadly, the streets of major cities are often dirty. 9. 不幸
的是，大城市的街道总是肮脏的。10. Many people,
especially teenagers, wear strange clothes, and
many have tattoos and body piercings. 10. 很多人，尤其是
青少人，都会穿着奇怪的服装，有纹身和各种环。
11. Americans follow the rule of law. 11. 美国人特别遵守
法律。因此有时也会显得很死板。
12. Littering (throwing garbage on the street), graffiti and
tagging
(writing on the walls), and loitering (standing around and
doing nothing) are against the law and are punishable by a
fine or jail. 12. 随地乱扔垃圾，涂鸦，在街头闲逛都是违法
的，会被处 以罚款或坐牢。不要随便尝试你在电影里看到以
为很酷的事情。
13. Discriminating against or making any insulting
statement
about someone else’s religion or ethnicity is against the
law
and could be punishable as a hate crime. 13. 歧视或语言
攻击他人的宗教信仰 和种族也是违法的，会被定以“仇恨罪”。
FYI这是重罪。14. You must be over the age of 21 and you
must have an
identification card with a photo to buy or drink alcohol. 14.
你必须超过21岁，并且拥有一张带有照片的身份证件才可
以买酒。
15. In most states, it is illegal to buy cigarettes if you are
under the
age of 18 and often you can only smoke in certain places.
15. 大部分州州法律规 定，必须年满18周岁才能买烟，并
且你只能在规定的地点抽烟，同时室内是不可以抽烟的。
16. Americans are extremely informal and call most people
by
their first name or nickname. 16. 美国人被认为是极度随意
的，通常他们用名和昵称称呼彼此，而不是姓。
17. Americans smile a lot and talk easily to strangers,
sharing
personal stories. 17. 美国人经常微笑，轻易和陌生人交谈，
并分享自己的故事。
18. Asking “How are you?” is simply a greeting and is not a
question about your health. 18. “How are you”是一个普通
的问候语，这个问题和你的健康没有关系。19. When
Americans put their hands on their hips, they are
usually relaxed; when they fold their arms tightly across
their
chests, they are angry or very serious (or cold). 19. 当美国
人把手放在自 己的臀部时，这表示他们很放松。当他们把手
交叉放在胸前，这通常表示他们很生气或很严肃，当然也有
可能是很冷。
20. Americans don’t push or stand too close to anyone in
line.
They always wait their turn. 20. 美国人不会在队伍中推搡，
也不会站得离彼此太近。他们 通常会乖乖地在队伍里等着。
这一条是给中国人看的吧。21. In a restaurant, the server is
usually very friendly and helpful
and often will tell you his or her name. 21. 在餐厅，服务员
一般都非常友好，会告诉你他们的名字，这并不代表他们对
你有意思。22. When the service is good, tipping is
expected to be 15–20% of
the bill. 22. 当服务员的服务非常好的时候，小费 一般是
15%-20%，当然如果你没给够的话，也只会收到微笑鄙视。
23. Polite Americans eat with one hand while the other
one is
under the table on their laps. 23. 礼貌的美国人吃饭时，只
用一个手拿餐具，另一只手放在桌子下自己的膝盖上。赛尔
君觉得这样 吃饭简直丧心病狂，一点平衡感都没有。
24. Usually, when friends meet at a restaurant they each
pay their
share of the bill or split the bill in half. It’s called going
Dutch. 24. 通常朋友间吃饭都是AA制，或对半分，这种做
法称作“going dutch”。
25. If you have guests over to your house, turn off the
television,
make sure your music isn’t too loud. 25. 如果你邀请朋友来
你家玩，记得要关掉电视，保证你的音乐不会开得太响。
26. Americans have parties for many reasons. Sometimes
they are
held for friends to get together and to meet new people.
There
is rarely music or dancing at a typical American party. 26.
美国人会用任何理由来举办派对。有时他们召集朋友，并认
识新朋友。普通的派对并没有音乐和 跳舞，只有大型派对才
有。
27. When you meet Americans, be sure to look them in the
eye,
smile, and shake hands. 27. 当你遇到美国人时，切记要看
着对方的眼睛，微笑，握手。
28. Make small talk at the beginning of a conversation.
After a few
questions, you will be asked, “What do you do?” (This
means
what is your job?) 28. 在正式对话前，可以和对方略微聊几
句，对方会问你，“What do you do？”，这句话的意思是你
的工作是什么。
29. For weddings and showers, people register for gifts at
a specific
place. 29. 婚礼上，人们通常在一个特定地方送上礼物。
30. Americans open presents and cards in front of people.
30. 美国人会当面打开礼物或贺卡。赛尔君已经养成这个坏
习惯了。
31. Be sure you include a card with your gift. The person
given the
gift will send you a thank you card. 31. 如果送别人礼物的
话，记得要写一张卡片，上面有你的名字和地址，收到礼物人会回信一张感谢卡。礼尚往来是好习惯。
32. At an American funeral, it is not normal to make loud
sad
sounds. Americans try to keep strong emotions inside. 32.
在美国葬礼上，通常没有人会发出巨大的悲伤声，也就是说
没有人会 抱着棺材痛哭。美国人一般会把强烈的感情藏在心
里。
33. There is no traditional color or flower that symbolizes
death.
Any and all flowers can be used at funerals. 33. 美国人没
有传统葬礼用的花或是制定的颜色。任何花都可以在葬礼上适用。是的，美国人没有你们这么多习俗，随意不要个我们
编造，即使我们有，不遵守这些习俗也没 有人会觉得你奇怪。
34. We do not give money at a funeral. Sometimes, we
send
flowers or plants to the ceremony. 34. 我们不会在葬礼上
给礼金，一般送花或者 植物就可以了。嗯，美国人不会什么
日子都给红（白）包。
35. After the funeral, there is usually a reception at the
home of the
family. There is usually a lot of food and sometimes
alcohol.35. 葬礼过后，主人家都会提供 食物，并且是很多食
物，有时还会有酒。看来找机会聚餐这样的事确实是全世界
流行的。
36. Never ask Americans a direct question about their
religion,
age, money, salary, weight, or dresssuit size. 36. 永远不
要直截了当地问美国人关于他们宗教、年龄、存款、收入、
体重、尺寸等问题。
37. Do not make any racist or negative remarks about
someone’s
religion, family background, or sexual preferences. 37. 不
要负面评价任何人的宗教、家庭背景、性取向。
38. Men should not make any “sexist” remarks to or about
women—anything that would make women unequal to
men. 38. 男生不能对女生说任何带有性别歧视的言论，任何
带有男女不平等的言论。这在美国是个大事。
39. Americans say that they don’t want to talk about
politics, but
sometimes they do. It’s best to just listen first to see the
other
person’s point of view before you let them know your
thoughts. 39. 美国人都宣称自己不喜欢讨论 政治，不过有时
候他们根本停不下来。你最好一开始只是静静地听着，摸清
楚大家的三观之后在 表达自己，避免不必要的争端。
40. Never go to someone’s house without calling first to
see if it is
convenient. 40. 去别人家之前一定要打电话确认别人是否
方便。
41. If you are invited to an American party, do not bring
your
children, friends, or family members without first asking the
permission of the host. 41. 如果你被邀请参加一个美国人
的 派对，不要随便带上你的孩子、朋友或家人，一定要事先
问清楚。是的，美国人很随意，但最讨厌事先不 说好。
42. Time is money. Never be late to classes, employment
interviews,
appointments, parties (especially your wedding!), etc. 42.
时间就是金钱。上课不要迟到，上班不要迟到，面试不要迟
到，约会不要迟到，派对不要迟到，你自己的婚礼更不要迟
到。
43. Some Americans hug a lot. It is okay for women and
men to
hug even if they are not close friends. 43. 有一些美国人特
别喜欢抱抱，即使男生女生之间不是特别亲密的朋友，大家
也可以有爱地抱抱。44. It is normal for American women to
have male friends who
are just friends (and vice versa).44. 在美国男女之间的纯
友谊是很正常的。明白了吗，讨厌的直男癌们。
45. It is not uncommon for American men and women to
share an
apartment as roommates and not have a sexual
relationship
with each other. 45. 在美国，没有任何感情关系的男生女生
也可以合租。
46. Most American women do not like possessive or
jealous men. 46. 直男癌注意，大部分美国女生并不喜欢占
有欲很强或很喜欢吃醋的男生。
47. Most American women do not feel comfortable having
the
man pay for everything all of the time. 47. 大部分美国女生
对于男生帮他们付钱这个事情并不喜欢。
48. Be careful: Meet new friends in a public place many
times
before you get into a car or give out your address. 48. 注意：
在和新朋友有亲密接触，比如一起单独坐车或让 他知道你的
住处之前，最好现在公共场合约见，多了解彼此。美国人可
以很随便，但也要学会保 护自己。
49. American parents speak to their children as adults and
teach
them how to be responsible for their actions. 49. 美国父母
会把他们的孩子当作成人进行对话，并教他们如何为自己的
行为负责。
50. American parents encourage their children to question
and
always ask “Why?” 50. 美国父母非常鼓励自己的孩子问“为
什么”？并不会因此把他们打死或赶出去。
51. It is normal for American children to have very messy
rooms. 51. 美国孩子有一个像狗窝一样的房间是很正常的，
which makes me feel so American.
52. It is common for young Americans to carry security
blankets or
a stuffed toy. 52. 美国年轻人经常会披着安全毯（去其他熟
悉会让自己感觉很安全的东西）和自己的长毛绒玩具。So are
Chineses.
53. Americans do not hit their children but discipline them
by
taking things away. 53. 美国人不会用打骂来管教孩子，但
他们会用把他们的玩具或ipad拿走的方法。
54. American men try to share equally with their wives in
parenting and housework. 54. 美国男人会和妻子分担家务
和孩子的养育工作。
55. Americans hire “babysitters” to take care of their
children
when they go out or are at work. 55. 美国人会在自己外出
工作的时候，聘请专人来照看他们的孩子。
56. Americans love their pets, sometimes more than they
love
people. 56. 美国人很爱特们的宠物，有时候胜过爱人。
57. Homosexuality is protected by law in the United States.
57. 在美国，同性恋是受法律保护的。
58. The majority of older Americans prefer to live in
retirement
homes for independent living rather than to live with their
grown children. 58. 大部分美国老年人更喜欢独自住在养老
院里，而不是和他们成年了的孩子挤在一起。
59. Americans admire youth and often work past age 65
andor
go back to school. 59. 美国人尊重年轻人，即使超过65岁
依然还在工作，或者他们会选择回大学读书。
60. Domestic violence is against the law. It is illegal to hit
anyone:
a spouse, a parent, a child, and even a pet.60. 家庭暴力是
违法的，打任何人都是违法的 ，包括你的配偶、家长、孩子、
包括你的宠物。赛尔君今早刚和家里的小猫大战一场，好紧
张， 感觉随时都会被抓走。
61. There are special seats in the front of buses reserved
for
disabled people or senior citizens. 61. 公交车前部，一般都
会有为老年人和残疾人设立的专座。
62. Be careful when you offer your seat on the bus to an
older or a
disabled person. Most older people do not want to be
thought
of as someone needing help. 62. 当你在公交车上想给老年
人或残疾人让座时， 你可要小心，大部分老年人并不喜欢别
人认为自己老了。
63. Most buses require the exact amount of money and
cannot
make change. 63. 大部分公交车不设找零。
64. Because of pick-pockets, Americans carry credit cards
and
checks, instead of a lot of cash. 64. 为了防小偷，美国人通
常不携带现金，而是信用卡或支票。65. Pedestrians always
have the right of way.
65. 马路上行人的权利最大。
66. Pedestrians must cross at a cross walk or unmarked
intersection. Crossing in the middle of the road is against
the law. 66. 行人必须在路口或人行横道处过街，在马路中
间过街是违法的。
67. If it is not a life or death emergency, do not call 911. 67.
如果不是涉及到生死大事，没事别打911
68. Rent must be paid on time or there is usually a late fee.
68. 房租必须及时付清，不然会有滞纳金。
69. If you pay your rent by cash, be sure to get a receipt.
69. 如果你是用现金支付房租，前往记得要收据。
70. Americans love to hunt for bargains and often buy used
things. 70. 美国人很喜欢讨价还价，也喜欢买二手货。71. If
the police put the lights on to tell you to stop your car,
move to the side of the road right away. Stay in your car.
71. 如果警察打灯让你停车，你必须将车停到路边，并留在
车里。
72. Look directly at the officer. Smile and say, “What
seems to be
the problem, Officer?” 72. 接上， 请微笑直视警官，问“先森，
请问有什么问题吗？”。记得手不要乱动，没有让你出示驾照
的时 候不要自己去拿，这可能会被认为是去拿枪而被直接打
死。
73. When you drive, be sure to always have your license,
registration, and proof of insurance with you. 73. 当你开车
的时候，记得一定要随身携带驾照、车辆注册证和车险证明。
74. Never, for any reason, argue with or give money to a
police
officer. 74. 永远永远不要和警官争吵，或贿赂警官。
75. Always be on time to the job interview and to your job.
75. 上班或面试一定要按时。
76. Dress appropriately for the job interview. 76. 工作面试
时需穿正装。但如果你长得不帅，请不要在西装里穿毛衣。
77. Smile, look the interviewer in the eye, and shake hands
firmly
when you meet. 77. 和面试官相遇时，请微笑，看着对方的
眼睛，并有力地握手。
78. At the interview, be positive and describe your good
qualities. 78. 面试时，积极面对，对自己有自信，并描述自
己好的品德。
79. Sexual harassment is against the law. 79. 性骚扰是违
法的。会遭到很严重的后果。
80. Students are expected to ask questions. 80. 上课时，
老师很希望学生提问题。
81. Never use a cell phone in class. 81. 上课时不要用手机。
82. It is normal for an American teacher to sit on the desk.
82. 美国老师坐在讲堂上上课是很常见的事。
83. Always call your teacher by his or her name. 83. 记得
称呼老师时最好叫他们的名字而不是姓。美国人才没有欧洲
人哪些臭规矩呢。
84. It is never too late to go back to school and you can
almost
always find free adult education classes. 84. 永远不会太晚
回学校上学，而且你永远能找到免费的成人教育课堂。
85. It is permitted to visit most college and university
campuses to
see what they are like. 85. 参观大学校园时被允许的，而且
不需要买票哦，樱花季也不需要呢。
86. Children from the ages of 6 to 16 must attend school in
the
United States. 86. 在美国，6-16岁的儿童必须上学。
87. Do your own work. Copying from a book, a friend, or
the
Internet is called plagiarism. 87. 你必须自己完成作业。抄
袭书本、朋友的作业、网上的资源都是剽窃，那是学术污点。
88. Cheating is serious, and the punishment is strong. 88.
作弊是很严肃的问题，你将会收到最严厉的惩罚，比如退学，
以及永不入境。
89. Americans try to take care of a medical problem early.
89. 美国人相信，有病就要早点治，并且药不能随便停。
90. When you have a serious medical problem, it’s a good
idea to
get a second opinion. 90. 如果你遇到了比较严重的健康问
题，最好听听不用医生的建议。91. You can always ask the
receptionist how much a doctor’s
appointment will cost. 91. 美国看病时很贵的，不过你可以
去医院的前台问问，看一次医生需要多少钱。
92. When you need to make an appointment with a doctor,
list all
of your symptoms in English before you call. 92. 如果你预
约了医生，在去之前把你所有的病症用英语列出来，你懂的，
以防你到时候不会说。
93. Most states have free or low-cost clinics. 93. 大部分州
都有免费或便宜的诊所。
94. Never go to a hospital emergency room unless it is a
matter of
life or death. 94. 如果不是生死大事，不要去急症室，你真
的不知道那有多贵。
95. Americans are really careful about not bothering
anyone else
with their body odor or bad breath.95. 美国 人很在意自己的
体味和口气会给别人带来不愉快的感受，即使他们的体味真
的会很重，所以美国 人一般都会用香水。
96. Most Americans take at least one bath or shower each
day. 96. 大部分美国人每天至少洗一次澡。
97. Most Americans put on a good underarm deodorant
after
bathing. 97. 大部分美国人洗完澡都会在腋下用上一点香氛。
98. Throw all toilet paper and seat covers in the toilet to be
flushed away. 98. 上完厕所吧所有的测试和垫纸都扔进马
桶冲掉。99. If you can’t understand the sign on the
restroom door, ask
someone or check to see who goes in or comes out. 99.
如果你看不懂厕所门口的标志，一定要问别人，弄清楚什么
样的人去什么地方，不要自己乱猜。
100. Americans often talk to each other or on the cell
phone while
using the bathroom. 100. 美国人经常在上厕所的时候和别
人打电话。101. There are very few “public” bathrooms
available in U.S. cities
and towns.101. 美国城市里很少有公共厕所。不过大部分商
场 或写字楼的厕所都可以免费试用。如果你实在急的话，和
餐厅商量一下，也是可以使用的。