英语标准美文100篇 049（在线收听）

Taboo topics in American(part one)

One of the recurring questions that my students in China often ask is：“What are the things they shouldn't talk about with Americans？”Taboo topics tend to make people feel uneasy．Every culture has these off－limits subjects．In ours，the following immediately come to mind：

１．Age Yes，age is a very sensitive subject t o many Americans，especially to women over age ３０．In this youth obsessed culture，the thought of growing older is a painful one and most of us，if possible，would like to have nothing to do with it．Unfortunately aging is one of the inevitabilities of life and it happens to the best of us．As a result，many Americans work hard to maintain a youthful appearance or at least give the illusion of youth．So the last thing they want is for some one to rub their faces in harsh reality and ask the unthinkable，“How old are you exactly？”

This question may result in replies like：“How old do you think I am？”“３０ish，３０something．I'm in my thirties．Let' s just leave it at that．”“I can' t remember．”“Oh，don't ask me that．”“I stopped keeping track after I turned ３０．”“A lot older than what I would like to be．”

Anyhow，if you are dying to know someone's age，this is how you could go about finding out．First you estimate their age by their appearance and mannerism．Then you subtract ten years from that estimation．I guarantee you will get a big smile from that person who will also blush and say，“Wow．You are my best friend．I'm ３８already．Can you believe it？”You，of course，reply，“No．I really can' t．You' re kidding．You don' t look a day over２８．This is amazing．”Now that' s one surefire way to boost someone' s ego。

２．Weight This is one of the touchiest subjects．In America，it is okay，even desirable，to be thin but it is a sin and a huge embarrassment to be overweight．In fact，the thinner you are，the prettier you are considered．Flip through any American fashion magazines，you'll notice that most models are nothing more than skin and bones．A woman who sports this emaciated，skeletal physique is called a waif，which is a thin person who appears fragile and needy．Believe it not，the waif look was the hottest look of the １９９０' s．Of course，there are obvious health related advantages to having a slender figure but please don't over diet for the sake of vanity．You could potentially become a victim to horrible eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia．
什 么 是 美 国 人 避 而 不 谈 的(1)

我的中国学生反复提的问题之一就是，“他们不该与美国人谈论的事儿有哪些？”忌讳的话题往往会使人尴尬。每种文化都有这些禁忌的话题，在美国文化中，立即可想起的有下列几个:

1 年龄. 是的，对许多美国人来说，年龄是个非常敏感的问题，特别是对年过 30 的女人来说更是如此。在这个崇尚年轻的文化中，想到变老是很痛苦的，我们大多数人，如果有可能的话，都不想沾它的边。不幸的是，变老是人生不可避免的事情之一，谁都不能例外。结果，许多美国人竭力想维持外貌的年轻，或至少给人留下年轻的假象。所以，他们最不愿别人当面触及痛处，提那个令人不快的问题：“你到底多大年纪了？”

对这个问题可以有这样几个回答：“你认为我多大了？”“３０来岁，３０左右。我３０多岁了咱们不谈这个了吧。”“我记不得了。”“噢，别问我这个。”“我一过３０，就不记年龄了。”“比我希望的要老得多。”

不管怎么说，如果你极想知道某人的年龄，你也是可以打探得到的。首先，你从他们的外貌和言谈举止估算年龄；然后，从你的估计上减去１０岁。我敢担保此人会冲你绽放笑容，还会红着脸说，“哇，你是我最好的朋友。我早就３８岁了。你能相信吗？”你当然会回答，“不，难以置信。你在开玩笑。你看起来连２８都不到。真让人惊叹。”这招肯定会让人的虚荣心得以满足。

２．体重 这是最敏感的话题之一。在美国，长得瘦是不错的，甚至会让人羡慕，但超重就让人极为难堪，是种罪过。实际上，你越瘦，别人会认为你越漂亮。随便翻翻美国哪本时尚杂志，你会发现大多数模特都是皮包骨头。瘦骨嶙峋的女人被称为细挑个儿，看上去弱不禁风。不管你信不信，细挑个儿可是２０世纪９０年代最酷的。当然，苗条的身材显然还有健康的体格，请不要为了虚荣而过于节食。你可能会成为可怕的饮食失调的受害者，如厌食和食欲过盛