hint: "on," to be "kept," "filled," "saved," "wasted," "gained," "planned," "given," "made the most of," even "killed." late -- even by ten minutes -- for an "wastes"
Time is, for the average American, of utmost importance. To the foreign visitor, Americans seem to be more concerned with getting things accomplished on time according to a predetermined schedule than they are with developing deep interpersonal relations. Schedules, for the American, are meant to be planned and then followed in the smallest detail. It may seem to you that most Americans are completely controlled by the little machines they wear on their wrists, cutting their discussions off abruptly to make it to their next appointment on time. Americans' language is filled with references to time, giving a clear indication of how much it is valued. Time is something to be "on," to be "kept," "filled," "saved," "wasted," "gained," "planned," "given," "made the most of," even "killed." The international visitor soon learns that it's considered very rude to be late -- even by ten minutes -- for an appointment in America. Time is so valued in America, because by considering time to be important one can clearly achieve more than if one "wastes" time and doesn't keep busy. This philosophy has proven its worth. It has enabled Americans to be extremely productive, and productivity itself is highly valued in America. Many American proverbs stress the value of guarding time, using it wisely, and setting and working towards specific goals. Americans believe in spending their time and energy today so that the fruits of their labor may be enjoyed at a later time.
時(shí)間對于普通的美國人來說最為重要。對于外國旁觀者來說,美國人好像更關(guān)心根據(jù)預(yù)先定下 的計(jì)劃把事情按時(shí)完成,而不是去發(fā)展加深人際關(guān)系。計(jì)劃對于美國人來說,意味著計(jì)劃了,然后就要按部就班的去完成。 對于你來說好像大部分美國人是完全的被他們手腕上的小機(jī)器所控制。唐突的中斷他們的會談使下一個(gè)預(yù)約會面能夠按時(shí)的進(jìn)行。 美國人的語言中充滿了對時(shí)間的引用。時(shí)間的價(jià)值是多少是有明確的指示的。時(shí)間是要準(zhǔn)時(shí),是要守時(shí),充滿的,是要節(jié)省。被浪費(fèi)的,獲得的,計(jì)劃的,給予的,充分利用的,甚至是消磨的。 國際的旁觀者很快就了解了遲到是是被認(rèn)為很無理的。在美國 ,預(yù)約遲到,甚至10分鐘也是這樣。 在美國是時(shí)間是如此的珍貴,因?yàn)榘褧r(shí)間看作是重要的人能夠獲得比那些浪費(fèi)和不抓緊時(shí)間的人多。這種理論已經(jīng)證明了它的價(jià)值,它能使美國人特別有效率,而且效率本身在美國就有高度的價(jià)值。很多美國格言強(qiáng)調(diào)抓緊時(shí)間,合理的安排時(shí)間,而且設(shè)定具體的目標(biāo)并且而知之努力。美國人相信今天付出時(shí)間和勤奮努力,明天就可以享受他們自己的勞動果實(shí)。 ——譯文來自: chang2008200