时差N小时 不敢苟同的生活习惯

Dear Annie: My sister and her husband have some habits that really turn me off when I visit. They leave dirty pots and pans on the stove for weeks. They allow used dishes, cups and utensils¹ to pile up in the sink until it is overflowing². They have a dishwasher, but say it doesn't clean the pots very well.

亲爱的安妮:上次去妹妹家做客，她和妹夫的一些生活习惯真的让我不敢苟同。他们把脏壶，脏锅扔在炉灶上，几个星期不洗。把用过的盘子，杯子，器皿堆在洗碗池里，直到堆满为止。他们有一个洗碗机，据说用它洗不干净碗。

When their kitchen trash can is full, it is pulled out from its spot and placed in the middle of the floor. From there, it becomes a trial of wills to see who will give in and take the trash out.

厨房垃圾桶满了，就把它从原地挪到屋子中间。在这里会上演一场意志力的比拼，看谁会屈服，把垃圾倒掉。

They apparently³ do not care about the health issues of all their bad habits. It is not like they are pressed for time to get these things done, as both are retired⁴.

很明显他们不关心坏习惯给健康带来的问题。因为两人都退休在家，不可能因为赶时间而不做家务。

If anything is mentioned to them about the dirty dishes or overflowing garbage, they get angry and defensive⁵. Other than not visiting or eating out every night, what do I do? － Disgusted in California

如果当面提到脏盘子，或者堆积的垃圾，他们就会生气，开始为自己辩解。除了不去拜访，或者晚上出去吃饭之外，我还可以怎么做呢？

Dear Disgusted: Your sister and her husband seem to be content with their level of cleanliness. Consider staying at a motel, or buy groceries and cook your own meals. If you are close enough to be an overnight guest, you should also pitch in and help by washing a few dishes and emptying the overflowing garbage.

你的妹妹，妹夫似乎很满意他们的卫生水平。你可以考虑住汽车旅馆，或者自己买菜做饭。如果你们关系足够亲密，会留宿的话，你应该尽量帮忙洗盘子倒垃圾。

1 utensils   

器具，用具，器皿( utensil的名词复数 )； 器物

参考例句：

• Formerly most of our household utensils were made of brass. 以前我们家庭用的器皿多数是用黄铜做的。
• Some utensils were in a state of decay when they were unearthed. 有些器皿在出土时已经残破。

2 overflowing   

n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的，充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式

参考例句：

• The stands were overflowing with farm and sideline products. 集市上农副产品非常丰富。
• The milk is overflowing. 牛奶溢出来了。

3 apparently   

adv.显然地；表面上，似乎

参考例句：

• An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。
• He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。

4 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

5 defensive   

adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的

参考例句：

• Their questions about the money put her on the defensive.他们问到钱的问题，使她警觉起来。
• The Government hastily organized defensive measures against the raids.政府急忙布置了防卫措施抵御空袭。