You are not my mother, are you?

案例正文

最近，李华的一位美国同事感冒了，总在打喷嚏。李华关心地问道：

李华: You look pale. What's the matter?

同事: I'm feeling sick. A cold, maybe.

李华: Go and see the doctor. Drink more water. Did you take any pills? Chinese medicine works wonderful. Would you like to try? Put on more clothes. Have a good rest.

同事: You are not my mother, are you?

分析点评

美国人比较看中个人的独立性。受人照顾往往被视为弱者。给对方出主意或提建议时，不能使对方认为自己小看他的能力。美国人对上面第一句话的反应通常是"Take care of yourself. I hope you'll be better soon."不会教人怎么做。但是中国人则以出主意提建议表示关心，而且以兄弟姐妹或父母亲人的口吻，或以过来人的口气，这对美国人行不通。