中西跨文化交际课程情景案例分析

their colorful TV and then disappeared again.

A half-hour later she came back and sat down and the three began to eat. Yang Feng came in from time to time to put dish after hot dish on the table. Most of the food was wonderful but neither George nor Janice could eat the fatty pork in pepper sauce or the ea cucumbers, and there was much more than they could eat. They kept wishing Yang Feng would sit down so they could talk to him .Finally he did sit down to eat a bit ,but quickly turned on the TV to show them all its high teching features. Soon it was time to go home.

George and Janice felt slightly depressed by this experience, but returned the invitation two weeks later. They decided to make a nice American meal and felt lucky to find olives, tomato juice, crackers and as appetizers. For the main course they prepared spaghetti and a salad with dressing made from oil, vinegar, and some spices they found in the market.

When Liu Lingling and Yang Feng arrived they were impressed by the apartment and asked the price of the TV, video player, vacuum cleaner and other things. Janice politely refused to answer their questions. They took small tastes of the appetizers and seemed surprised when both George and Janice sat down with them. They ate only a little spaghetti and did not finish the

salad on their plates. George urged them to eat more but they refused and looked around expectantly. Junice and George talked about their families and jobs and asked the table and served coffee and pastries. Yang Feng and Lingling each put four spoons of sugars into their coffee but did not drink much of it and ate only a bite or two of pastry.

After they left, George said that at least they had a chance to talk, but Janice was upset. “We left their place so full that we couldn?t walk and they?re going to have to eat again when they get home. What went wrong?

Analysis：中西方饮食习惯大大的不同。中国人邀请客人会准备一大桌子的菜，并在就餐过程中使劲劝说客人多吃点，吃完之后， 还有剩菜，就表明主人的盛情款待。而西方人一不劝吃，二就餐完毕后，盘子最好是空的。本案列中的两对中外夫妇不明这个文化差异，发生误解就是自然而然的事了。

Case 7: After the meal and after the table has been cleared. Liu is not sure what to do, but wants to help in some way. At least he wants to offer.

Helen: Thanks for your help, Huang. Liu: Pleasure. What can I do now?

Helen: Nothing. It?s fine. I?ll rinse these dishes then stack them.

It?ll only take a minute.

Liu: Does the family usually help?

Helen: Well, at special times. Jack sometimes rinses the dishes but you can see he?s really tired tonight. Liu: Let me do it for you. Helen: No truly, it?s okay.

Liu: Maybe I can wipe the table then.

Helen: That would be helpful. Thanks. You?re really kind, Huang.

Analysis：在西方人家中的就餐的时间里，大家都设法插手帮一下忙，即便是男士也不例外，不要一点不动着开饭。所有家住者要能帮者摆摆餐具，或餐后收拾洗碗，把餐具放进洗碗机，倒垃圾，站在一边帮着擦干洗好的餐具。虽然都是小忙，却表明你对别人的操劳非常在意，是个用心的人。

Case 8: Two strangers have been chatting. A: So you?re been here for a year?

B: Yes. One more year to go, then I?ll go back to china. A: What will you do back home?

B: It?s hard to know. There?s a lot change at the moment. A: Yeah. Everything is changing, everywhere. Sometimes it?s difficult to keep up.

B: That?s true. Maybe I?ll… (A?s mobile phone rings.)

A: Excuse me, I?d better answer this. It?s probably work. B: Sure. Take your time.

Analysis：有时在与人交谈中，难免要有什么原因要离开一会儿，或是去接一个电话，或要去洗手间。礼貌再此被提出来。出于礼貌起见，要记住做一些恰当解释再离开。不管理由是什么，即便是要接一个手机电话，在打开电话回话前，向对方说声对不起。 如果只离开几分钟，没有必要找一个理由。你说了对不起，就表明你确实是有事要离开一会儿。

Case 9: Liu Huang is calling his friend Steven at his home. Person: Hello. John is speaking. Liu: Hello? I?m looking for Steven.

Person: Sorry, there?s no one here called Steven. Liu: Is that 6577 8868?

Person: No. I think you?ve got the wrong number. This is 6578 8868.

Liu: Oh, I?m sorry.

Person: No problem. Good luck. Liu: Thanks.

Analysis：失手拨错号码是常有的事。如果在国外，即便有语言