中西文化差异英语对话

T Hi yangxue I heard that you are going to studying abroad it s a new experience which can bring you opportunity to discover fascinating things and a feeling of freedom Y Oh yeah in spite of this advantages however there are also some challenges I will encounter Culture shock will be the first one T yeah I have watched several movies about western lifestyles and cultures and really find an immense difference Y Yeah the difference is almost everywhere As far as the table culture there is no doubt it is a tradition to use chopsticks for Chinese But people in America prefer to forks and knives T The different tools are based on different food they like Fried food and fast food are Americans favorite while Chinese people choose noodles pancakes and rice Y Yes besides have you noticed that when we have meals with our families or good friends we usually get some delicious food for each other to show our care But the western style of eating seems to be more hygienic Nobody uses his own fork to get food for others T Yeah quite so This is only table manners I also know that greeting is different In China when I meet you in the street I may greet you by saying Have you eaten yet And what will be your reflect Y Oh I will feel normal Pretty normal greeting words T But if you greet a foreigner with these words They will believe that you want to invite him to a meal Y Really Too interesting T So it s easy to lead to misunderstanding because of different cultures Of course the situations are more serious if you greet someone in western countries by saying What are you going to do Where have you been etc Because they think you have infringed their privacy Thus you can imagine their greetings they usually greet each other Good morning evening afternoon Fine day isn t it Y But don t you feel these are too formulaic or unnecessary T Yes but that s only our thinking Y Just now you referred to personal affairs there is also many different opinions here For example we do not regard it as asking personal affairs when they ask others name year marital status wages personal life belief and political points T Yes we regard it as concerns Y But the westerns will think you infringe their right of privacy So when we talk to the westerns we must avoid asking some questions like this How old are you Are you married How many children do you have How much do you make What s your weight Do you go to the church T So many details need to notice We have talked so much but it only covers several small aspects in life I even feel the way of life in America is completely different from mine I think I will be mad facing all these Now that you will go there Have you consider how to adjust yourself to adapt their cultures Y In fact I have considered the problem for long time At least four essential stages of adjustment occur during culture shock to new arrivals I will keep positive to overcome these As we know Americans are slaves to nothing but clocks they work hard at the task of saving time I must get rid of the habit of delaying time to keep pace with them It s huge project T Yeah yeah You should establish a right attitude toward culture differences to be open minded to them After all attitude can decide one s feeling and behaving However these seem not to be enough Y That s true I also need to learn about their cultural background before I go And I have read some books and gradually accept their ways of life Next I am going to read their newspapers and magazines and some literature works to learn the country deeply T Yeah your decision is right and it will benefit you You would learn so much and you will respect their culture from your deep heart Thus you can adapt