圖書序言
Friendship and gift-giving
友誼與送禮
●Many Chinese people hate to visit friends empty-handed.
許多中國人不喜歡空手去看朋友。
●Would it be inappropriate to give an American friend cash (red-envelope) as a gift?
送紅包給美國朋友當禮物,是不恰當的嗎?
●Would giving cash (money) be considered in poor taste or tacky?
贈送現鈔,是庸俗或不得體的嗎?
(以往許多美國人不知道中國人的 red envelope 是指 cash 或 money 的紅包。現在愈來愈多人認為送現鈔、支票或禮券,既省時,又實際;但仍然有人認為送錢是「低品味」)
●It would make me happy if you would buy yourself a little something with my check.
假如你能用我的支票,為你自己買點小東西,我會很高興。
●As long as a gift comes from the heart, it does not matter how small it is.
禮物隻要齣自衷心,不論多小都沒關係。
●It is the thought that counts.
最重要的,那是一種心意。(禮輕情意重)
●To avoid suspicion of bribery, many American bosses do not want to accept gifts from employees.
唯恐被人懷疑收受賄賂,許多美國上司不收員工禮物。
●I sent him a gift, but I expect nothing in return.
我送他一份禮物,但我不希望他任何的迴報。
●I buy gifts within my means; I do not match gift for gift.
我買禮物是按自己的經濟能力;不與彆人做比較。
●I always accept a friend’s gift gracefully and appreciatively regardless of its monetary value.
我都以感恩之心,接受朋友的禮物,不論其價格為何。
●A gift should be given for no other reason than the joy of giving.
禮物隻是贈送的喜悅,而沒有其他的原因。
或:A gift should be given with no strings attached.
送禮應該沒有任何附加條件。
●The most meaningful gifts are the ones that come from the heart.
最有意義的禮物,是來自內心的關愛。
●This gift is merely a token of my deep affection for you.
這份禮物僅僅是我對你深深關愛的錶示。
●Let’s not exchange gifts this year and spend time together instead.
我們今年不交換禮物,大傢聚聚就好瞭。