http://ger.x.blog.163.com/blog/static/695063192006105255130/这个网址的文,百度里搜一搜,还有很多的。暂列一篇:
一,文化差异(Culture Difference):种族 National race
The whole question of the changing role of Blacks in American society as been the subject of news***** articles around the world so frequently that visitors to the United States do not know what to expect when they arrive. They may be surprised when they see that Blacks and Whites work side by side in offices , factories , and schools across the 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 personal attack or expecting various degrees of racial prejudice. Some forms of discrimination [1] still exist ,unfortunately, especially in the areas of the housing , schools , and jobs . The school equality is still more a dream than a reality. There are still too many areas of the country where Black Americans 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 observe the improvement in race relations
as soon as your plane lands . You will see it in the airport, in public buses and trains , in theaters , restaurants , rest room, in sops and libraries , in offices and factories . Close personal friendships between Blacks and Whites , full trust and social relationships 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.
[1] discrimination n. 辨别, 区别, 识别力, 辨别力, 歧视
二,文化差异(Culture Difference): 个人的进步 Personal Progress
In 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 "do-it-yourself" society ; success is not dependent on family origins or the 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 countries. 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 opportunity to change jobs offers workers a chance to move up to a better position. Americans like to move from place to place trying new jobs, meeting new people and living in different parts of the country. "Job-hopping" also gives employers a chance to benefit from the new ideas and skills that different people bring to their jobs even if such people are employed for only a short time.
三,文化差异(Culture Difference): 真实还是礼貌? Truth or Courtesy ?
Just as the degree of individual ******* that exists in America seems loose and therefore uncomfortable to many visitors . In many countries , people will tell you what they think you want to here , whether or not it is true. To 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 , 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 him"
Considering 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 eager to reach the next village, he will politely say , ' Just down the road ". e thinks this is more encouraging ., gentler , and therefore the answer the traveler wants to hear. So the American drives alone for many more hours before he comes to the village. The traveler is angry , feeling "tricked". He thinks that the man has purposely lied to him because he must have know quite will well what the distance was.
If a visitor to the United States asked an American standing at the edge of a road how far the next town was, the American would think it dishonest if he said it was near when he knew it was really 24 miles away. Although he , too , would be sympathetic with the tired traveler , he would say, "You have a long way to go yet ; it is at least 24 miles more. " The traveler might be disappointed , but he would know what to expect, and there would be no misunderstanding.
[1] misunderstanding n. 误会, 误解
四,文化差异(Culture Difference):权威 Authority
In many countries , authority is seldom , if ever, questioned , either because it is highly respected , or because it is feared . Sometimes , too, Because rank has been important in certain societies for a long time, people have been trained never to question those in authority .. For example , children are not expected to question their teachers in school .It may be considered improper for young businessmen to suggest ideas that differ from those of older, more experienced members of the business.
In other countries, including America, children are trained to question and search for answers . When a child asks a question, he will often be told to go to the library and find the answer for himself. By the time students reach the age of 14 or 15, they may be developing exciting new ideas in all fields of science and the arts . To encourage such creativity [1] , there are many national prizes offered to students , every year for their scientific discoveries and artistic accomplishments.
This interest in questioning and searching may be considered by some people as bad for young people's manners , that young people lack respect for authority . This impression may be created when visitors notice young Americans asking questions and arguing with older people . However , this is because many Americans have a different attitude toward authority than may exist in other areas of the world . In a work or business situation, ideas are freely and openly discussed and argued. It is important to remember tat it is the person's ideas that are being questioned, not the individual himself.. The two are quite separate. The purpose of the searching , questioning , and arguing is to find the facts in a particular situation, and therefore a solution, so that the work of the business can progress in the most effective manner possible.
As was mentioned earlier, you may notice the some questioning in social conversations . Although some individuals may think that Americans are rude because of their direct manner with people, they are merely trying to learn more about your ideas.
[1] creativity n. 创造力, 创造
五,文化差异(Culture Difference):美国社会正在该变 American Society is Changing
In many nations , everyday activities are done in a planned , orderly manner. For example , formal relationships among people may be determined according to customs and habits that have existed for a long time . People visiting an informal country , such as the United States , may find that the American belief in personal initiative or ******* (including the ******* to disagree with those in authority ), and the whole economic system is quits confusing and uncontrolled . To some visitors such *******s are too "loose" and too disorganized to be comfortable.
Today the United States i* **periencing great change in every part of society ;therefore life in America may indeed seem confused . Social attitudes are being questioned Americans are wondering: "Is there any morality ?" "Why has the nation never given all of its citizens full opportunity ?""What courses should be taught in school?" "What is the role of women in society ? "As visitors , you will notice that some Americans are beginning to leave the cities and make their homes in small cities and towns where life is quieter and slower . Political beliefs are changing . The kinds of skills needed by workers today differ from those in demand several years ago.