The other day a friend of mine let me know that he had a wonderful business meeting with his prospective British customer. "Wonderful how?" I was curious. At lightning speed he cited the Briton's "encouraging" remarks which were remarkably discouraging if truth be told. Of course, I told him the truth. He is a good-sized adult.
(B=Briton T=Truth A=American)
1.
B: With the greatest respect...
T: You are a dummy.
A: He is listening to me.
2.
B: That is a very valorous move.
T: You are insane.
A: He thinks I have the guts.
3.
B: Oh, by the way...
T: It is very important for me to...
A: It is not very important for him to...
4.
B: Very interesting.
T: That is clearly nonsense.
A: He is impressed.
5.
B: You must come for dinner.
T: It isn't an invitation. I'm just being polite.
A: I'll get an invitation soon.
If an American could get a Briton so wrong, it's little wonder why China and Britain went to war with each other in 1839, when so much had been lost in translation.
The other day a friend of mine let me know that he had a wonderful business meeting with his prospective British customer. "Wonderful how?" I was curious. At lightning speed he cited the Briton's "encouraging" remarks which were remarkably discouraging if truth be told. Of course, I told him the truth. He is a good-sized adult.
(B=Briton T=Truth A=American)
1.
B: With the greatest respect...
T: You are a dummy.
A: He is listening to me.
2.
B: That is a very valorous move.
T: You are insane.
A: He thinks I have the guts.
3.
B: Oh, by the way...
T: It is very important for me to...
A: It is not very important for him to...
4.
B: Very interesting.
T: That is clearly nonsense.
A: He is impressed.
5.
B: You must come for dinner.
T: It isn't an invitation. I'm just being polite.
A: I'll get an invitation soon.
If an American could get a Briton so wrong, it's little wonder why China and Britain went to war with each other in 1839, when so much had been lost in translation.
Author: Ren Qiulan
It means 呵呵 no matter he comes from Britain or America.