如何听懂美国人讲话 完整版

第一篇：如何听懂美国人讲话 完整版

抵美已经将近半年了，但是还是很多时候他们在我面前说话还是bla,bla,bla,bla.......于是我和我的美国朋友有了一次深刻的交流，终于完成了俚语葵花宝典 当然你不用自宫了，但是这些都是常用的美国俚语，希望对大家有所帮助。首先我们从A开始 A ace He's an ace reporter very good action Do you know where the action is in this town? excitement airhead My sister's boyfriend is a real airhead stupid person all wet Your ideas about politics are all wet.completely wrong

all-nighter I almost fell asleep during the test after an all-nighter.after studying all night ammo The gun was useless after the killer ran out of ammo.ammunition antifreeze I really need some antifreeze in me on cold days like this.liquor armpit This town is really an armpit.undersirable place

awesome What an awesome sunset.meaning B bad Wow, that was really a bad movie.intense barf He barfed all over the seat of the airplane.vomited bashed The boat was bashed beyond recognition.crushed beat After working all day I am really beat.exhausted beemer He just bought a new beemer to drive to work in.BMW car bench He was benched during the basketball playoffs.taken out of the game bent It's OK.Don't get so bent.angry

bent out of shape Don't get so bent out of shape.become upset big gun The president brought two big guns to the meeting.powerful people

big mouth Shut up!You really have a big mouth.talk too much big stink The citizens made a big stink about the new nuclear power station.big issue blade He carried a ten inch blade with him.knife blimp I always seem to have a blimp sitting next to me when I travel.very fat person blow I'm going to blow out of here now.leave He blew all his money gambling.lost

blow a fuse Hey, don't blow a fuse.loose your temper

blow one's cool Calm down.Don't blow your cool.become angry

blown away I was blown away by his donation of a million dollars.greatly impressed bomb The movie was a bomb.bad bombed The driver of the car was bombed.intoxicated bonkers I think I am going bonkers.crazy boo-boo If you make another boo-boo like that, you won't have a job.mistake booze I promised to bring two bottles of booze to the party.alcohol bread I need some bread to pay for my car.money break A lucky break helped him get the job.opportunity

break it up Break it up, or I will call the police.stop

bring-down The news of the airplane crash was a bring-down.depressing buck Do you have a buck I can borrow? dollar bummed I was really bummed after I heard the news.depressed bummer My trip to New York was a bummer.bad experience bust The whole idea was a bust.failure buy it If you don't slow down, you're going to buy it in a car accident.die

C call The weatherman made a good call about when the storm would come.prediction can Do you know where the can is? bathroom carb My motorcycle's carb is out of adjustment.carburetor

catch some rays I'm going to lie on the beach and catch some rays.get some sunshine

catch some Z's I need to catch some Z's before I go on my trip.get some sleep cheesy That is really a cheesy looking outfit.cheap chicken Don't be a chicken.coward chintzy That really was a chintzy present you got him.cheap

chow down I need to find a place to chow down.eat a lot clip Watch out or they will clip you at that bar.cheat clunker I can't go on a date in that clunker.old car cold fish My date for the dance was a cold fish.dull collar I knew they would collar the robber sooner or later.arrest

come up for air He has to come up for air or he will die from exhaustion.take a break con Don't try to con me.deceive cool This is a really cool place to work.good

cool down Things should cool down in a day or two.calm down cop How did you get the road sign? I copped it.stole The cop showed me his badge.pliceman

couch potato He is a couch potato.lazy person

crack open a bottle Let's crack open a bottle for his birthday.open cram I need more time to cram for the test.study hard cream Our team creamed them badly.beat croak I feel like I am going to croak.die cruise The skier was cruising down the hill going very fast cuffs He put the cuffs on the killer.handcuffs cushy He has a really cushy job.easy cut Could you cut my whiskey with a little water? dilute cut out It is late.I have to cut out.leave

D damage Lets get the bill and find out the damage.cost dead This disco is really dead tonight.quiet deck He was decked in the fight.knocked down

deep pockets Her boyfriend has deep pockets.is a good source of mone dicey Since the weather is a little dicey, I won't go today.chancy dirty I hear that it's a dirty movie.an obscene ditch I'll ditch my younger brother with my grandmother.leave

do a snow job on Don't try to do a snow job on me.deceive dope He is such a dope.stupid person There are a lot of dope dealers around here.drug dork He is such a dork.strange person dough I need some dough before I can go Christmas shopping.money down Let's go to a bar and down a few beers.drink quickly drag Doing homework on the weekend is a drag.boring

dynamite This drink is really dynamite.powerful;great

E earful My grandmother gave me an earful about the neighborhood.a lot of gossip

easy mark The Japanese are an easy mark because they usually carry cash.likely victims eat The problem is really eating away at me.bothering excellent That's excellent man.fine

F face-off The two sides were headed for a nasty face-off.confrontation far-out This music is really far-out.great fix The addict needs another fix.dose of drugs flaky He is too flaky to do the work.unreliable

flashback At the wedding he had a flashback of his old girlfriend.rememebered flick I haven't seen a flick in a long time.movie flip out He flipped out when he heard that his mother had been killed.lost control flip side What kind of music do you have on the flip side of the tape? other side fox His older sister is a fox.very attractive foxy She is a foxy lady.sexy freebie The pillow was a freebie a free thing

G get into something I got into gardening in high school.became seriously inteseted in get it I listened to the joke twice, but I still don't get it.understand get with it If you don't get with it, we will never finish this work.hurry up gig I have a gig on Saturday night from 7:00 to 10:00.job glitch This computer program has a glitch.defect glitzy This is a pretty glitzy hotel to be staying in.fashionable go Let me have a go at solving the problem.try

go bananas I am going to go bananas if I don't have a vacation soon.go crazy go down What is going down? happening

goof I am really a goof at times.fool goof up I really goofed up when I painted my room green.make a serious mistake

goofy You are always acting goofy these days.silly gourd Use your gourd to figure out what is happening.head grand His salary is twenty grand.thousand dollars grass Lots of students smoke grass in the dormitory.marijiuana gravy This job is pure gravy.easy money groovy This music is groovy.pleasant gross Picking your nose is really a gross habit.disgusting

gross-out The party was a gross-out.disgusting time grub Where is the best place to get some grub around here? food grubby Those clothes are too grubby to wear to the party.unclear and untidy grungy That is a really grungy jacket.dirty gut He got shot in the gut.stomach guts It takes a lot of guts to give the boss your true opinion.courage

H hairy That was a hairy plane trip.I am glad the storm is over.dangerous hammer Put the hammer to the floor or we will be late for the wedding.accelerator

hang it up I have decided to hang up my teaching job.quit

hang loose Just hang loose for another few days.relax

hang tough We need to hang tough on our decision.stick with

hardware The police were surprised by all the hardware the gang members had.weapons

have a buzz on I had a buzz on after the third martini.was slightly intoxicated

have good vibes I have good vibes about our new secretary.feel good about

have it all together Recently I don't have it all together.feel mentally all there heave I heaved up on the floor.vomited high The teenagers look high to me.intoxicated on drugs or alcohol

hip-shooter He is such a hip-shooter.always talking without thinking history I don't have any idea where my old boyfriend is.He's history.something in the past hit Your proposal was a hit with the boss.successful hole up I had to hole up for three days because the police were looking for me.hide honcho The honcho says that we are going to have to give up two days of our vacation.boss hooker Her clothes make her look like a hooker.prostitute hot The police stopped them because they thought the car was hot.stolen huffy I will do it soon so please don't get huffy.angry hungry If you are not hungry, you won't get ahead in the business.eager to make money hustle If you don't hustle, we will be late again.hurry up hyped The fans were all hyped up for the football game.excited hyper Don't get hyper about what she told you.You know it isn't true.over excited

I in The tie you are wearing is really in.fashionable in deep They are really in deep with each other.deeply involved

in the bag Everything is in the bag.There is nothing to worry about.settled intense This is a very intense situation we are discussing.serious

J jam I am glad you got yourself out of that jam.trouble

jerk someone around Recently it seems like everyone is jerking me around.wasting my time and cause my trouble jock My roommate is a jock for the basketball team.an athlete john The john really smells.bathroom joint Where is the closest joint to here.cheap bar He is good at rolling joints.marijuana cigerattes junkie Sam is a junkie.drug addict

just off the boat He acts like he is just off the boat.naive

K keep one's cool He kept his cool when his house burned down.remain calm kegger I hear there is a kegger at John's house tonight.beer party kick I get a kick out of watching him paint.enjoy klutz He is a real klutz.stupid and clumsy person knock Don't knock it if you can't do it any better.criticize

knocked up My dog gets knocked up once a year.pregnant knockout Who was that knockout I saw you with last Friday? stunning person

knuckle sandwich Shut up or I'll give you a knuckle sandwich.punch in the mouth kook Watch out for all the kooks in this neighborhood.strange person L laid-back You need to be more laid-back.calm and relaxed lame That is really a lame excuse.an inadequate line I have heard that line a million times.story loser John is a loser.annoying and useless

love handles I exercise every day, but I can't get rid of these love handles.rolls of fat around my stomach

M make waves Try not to make waves around the office.cause trouble

maxed out I am maxed out at my work and need to rest.exhuasted mean He plays a mean violin.performs well on mega I have mega amounts of tomatoes in my garden this summer.large

megabucks He made megabucks when he sold his company.a lot of money mellow You need to mellow out and enjoy life.calm downand relax

meltdown There has been a meltdown in the relationship between my parents and me.total collapse

mickey mouse The homework the teacher gave us was mickey mouse.nonsense and a waste of time

move on someone I am going to try to move on Sarah next Saturday.pick up seduce mush That is total mush and you know it.nonsense

N nark Watch out for the narks in the airport.drug police neat That was a neat idea that you had.good negative There are too many negatives about the company merger.bad things nick The police nicked the shoplifter as he was leaving the store.arrested nip He took a nip out of the bottle.a quick drink no sweat It's no sweat to have the report in to you by Monday.no problem nuke I'll nuke our dinner in a few minutes.heat up in the microwave Does that attack plane have any nukes? nuclear weapon nut I think that he is a nut.crazy person You are completely nuts if you think I will go with you.crazy

P pad Have you found a pad yet? a place to live

pain in the neck My wife's best friend is a pain in the neck.annoying

paper-pusher My office is filled with paper-pushers.bureaucratic office work

party animal You're too old to be a party animal.love parties party-hearty We need to party-hearty because we just got a raise in salary.celebrate paw Get your paws off of my body.hands peanuts I am not going to work for peanuts.practically no money pickled He gets pickled after only one beer.intoxicated

piece of cake Working on a computer for me is a piece of cake.easy to do pig He is a pig at parties.eats too much pig out Let's go to the restaurant and pig out.eat a lot or overeat pit stop Let's make a pit stop at the next rest area.stop and go to the bathroom

plastered He drinks too much and is always plastered on the weekend.intoxicated

pooped out He pooped out after we started to do the hard work.quit pop Shut up or I will pop you.hit

pop for something It is my turn to pop for the doughnuts.buy pro He is really a pro at his work.professional prod Can you give me a gentle prod next week so I won't forget? remind

psyched up The players are really psyched up for the game on Friday.mentally ready psycho She is a psycho.She should be in a hospital.mentally ill puke I feel like I am going to puke.vomit push off I am going to push off now.leave

put the moves on You should give up trying to put the moves on her.She is married.seduce put-on It was an elaborate put-on which I almost believed.deception

Q quarterback Who is going to quarterback the meeting? lead

quick buck I need to make a quick buck.some easy money R rack I have to hit the rack by ten or I'll be tired in the morning.bed rack out I am going to rack out for two hours.sleep racket There sure was a lot of racket outside last night.noise rag I can't believe we still get this same old rag.newspaper rap We need to sit down and rap about a few things.talk about rathole When are you going to be able to move out of that rathole? run down palce raw The raw office workers were not getting much done.new ream someone out The boss really reamed him out for his bad report.got angry with him red hot Your idea is really red hot.important repo Hey, don't repo my car.I will pay next week.repossess

rinky-dink The circus was really rinky-dink.inferior riot The comedy program was a real riot.funny road hog That driver is a road hog.takes up too much of the road rocks Would you like your whiskey on the rocks? with ice

rough time We have had a rough time this winter.hard time rug Is that a rug on his head? wig rug rat My sister has three rug rats.children rule My wife rules the house.dominates

run off at the mouth He is always running off at the mouth.talking too much

run out of gas The politician ran out of gas during the campaign.lost interst or momentum

S sack When did you hit the sack last night? go to bed scam Don't lose your money in some kind of scam.swindle scarf Since he hadn't eaten in a week, he scarfed down everything on his plate.ate quickly schmuck What a stupid schmuck.jerk

screw around If you screw around all day at this work, you will have to come back again.waste time screw up If you screw up one more time, I will fire you.make a mistake sharp He is very sharp with numbers intelligent shot I'll give the puzzle another shot.try

shot down Everyone shot down my idea at first, but later agreed that it was a good idea.disagreed with slammer The police threw them both in the slammer.jail smashed Try not to get smashed at the beer party.intoxicated

smoke eater My father is a smoke eater.fireman split It is time to split and go see the movie.leave spook The cows were spooked by the howling of the wolves.frightened spud Do you want rice or spuds for dinner? potatoes square My father looks square in his jacket.old-fashioned

steamed up Don't get so steamed up over the issue.angry stink This whole operation stinks.is repulsive straight I want you to give me a straight answer.honest stressed I am really stressed by all the recent world events.upset sucker Don't be a sucker.be deceived

T take a hike I am tired of all your complaining.Take a hike.leave taken He was taken for all his money at the casino.cheated out of

taking care of business I have been taking care of business.doing what i have to do threads Those look like expensive threads he is wearing.clothes

tool around I don't want to tool around all night.It is time to go home.drive around totaled My car was totaled in the accident with the garbage truck.complemently wrecked

U up He has been up ever since he met his new girlfriend.happy and cheerful

up for grabs This is a sale.Everything is up for grabs.available

V veg out I want to veg out in front of the television this evening.relax and do nothing vibes He really gives off good vibes.feeling

w wad You don't want to carry a wad like that with you in the big city.bundle of money waste After you waste him, throw the body in the river.kill wheels If you let me borrow your wheels, I'll go out and buy a pizza.car whiz He is a whiz at the computer.talented person wired I am really wired after drinking five cups of coffee.altert wussy Don't be such a wussy all the time.Say what you are thinking.weak person Y yukky This food tastes yukky bad

Z zapped I am too zapped to help you right now.exhuasted zip He knew zip about running the company.nothing

第二篇：从1数到7,听懂习近平拜年讲话

从1数到7，听懂习近平拜年讲话

人民网北京2月17日电中共中央、国务院每年春节前都会举行团拜会。以往，团拜会都是总书记主持，总理讲话。今年不同以往，2015年春节团拜会，是李克强总理主持，总书记亲自发表讲话。这次讲话，习近平首谈“重视家庭建设，注重家庭、注重家教、注重家风”。此外，还有哪些重要信息？“学习大国”现在为学习伙伴们导读。

1、向人民道一声辛苦，坚定一个奋斗目标

此时此刻，我们为伟大的祖国而自豪，为伟大的人民而自豪！我们要向勤劳勇敢的中国人民道一声辛苦，对他们焕发出来的非凡创造精神、创造的非凡业绩表示崇高的敬意！

春天播种，秋天收获。让我们踏着春天的脚步，把人民对美好生活的向往作为奋斗目标，扎扎实实干好各项工作，共同创造祖国的美好未来。

2、对今年形势任务的两个判断

过年也是谋划新年的时刻。时序更替，梦想前行。今年，我们面临的形势依然严峻复杂，承担的任务更加繁重艰巨。

3、三个“必由之路”

我们正在进行的中国特色社会主义事业，是前无古人的开创性事业，前进道路不可能一帆风顺，我们必须准备进行具有许多新的历史特点的伟大斗争。

“其作始也简，其将毕也必巨。”我们要永远保持清醒头脑，继续发扬筚路蓝缕、以启山林那么一种精神，继续保持空谈误国、实干兴邦那么一种警醒，敢于战胜前进道路上的一切困难和挑战，使中国特色社会主义道路始终成为中华民族创造辉煌的必由之路，始终成为中华民族实现伟大复兴的必由之路，始终成为中华民族为人类作出新的更大贡献的必由之路。

4、落实“四个全面”战略布局

我们要紧紧依靠人民，从人民中吸取智慧，从人民中凝聚力量，全面贯彻落实党的十八大和十八届三中、四中全会精神，以邓小平理论、“三个代表”重要思想、科学发展观为指导，按照全面建成小康社会、全面深化改革、全面依法治国、全面从严治党的战略布局。

5、重视家庭建设的五大重要指向

中华民族自古以来就重视家庭、重视亲情。家庭是社会的基本细胞，是人生的第一所学校。不论时代发生多大变化，不论生活格局发生多大变化，我们都要重视家庭建设，注重家庭、注重家教、注重家风，紧密结合培育和弘扬社会主义核心价值观，发扬光大中华民族传统家庭美德，促进家庭和睦，促进亲人相亲相爱，促进下一代健康成长，促进老年人老有所养，使千千万万个家庭成为国家发展、民族进步、社会和谐的重要基点。

四个“促进”，加上一个“重要基点”，就是重视家庭建设的五大重要指向。特别要提醒学习伙伴们的是，这是习近平首次谈家庭建设。在春节这个合家团圆的日子里，特别具有针对性。

6、今年工作要更加奋进的六个方面

因为，今年我们面临的形势依然严峻复杂，承担的任务更加繁重艰巨。

所以，在今年的工作中要更加奋进：更加扎实地推进经济发展，更加坚定地推进改革开放，更加充分地激发创造活力，更加有效地维护公平正义，更加有力地保障和改善民生，更加深入地改进党风政风，为国家增创更多财富，为人民增加更多福祉，为民族增添更多荣耀。

7、对去年工作进行盘点的七个方面

过年是盘点旧岁的时刻。过去的一年，是辛勤耕耘的一年，也是岁物丰成的一年。这一年是我国全面深化改革元年，国内改革发展稳定任务繁重艰巨，国际形势风云变幻。全党全国各族人民团结一心、众志成城，坚持稳中求进工作总基调，蹄疾步稳深化改革，持续有力推动发展，扎实有效改善民生，全面加强国防和军队建设，积极开展对外工作，聚精会神管党治党，对全面推进依法治国作出部署，改革开放和社会主义现代化建设各方面都取得新的重大进展

第三篇：美国人的生活习惯

美国人的生活习俗

■美国人性格外向，直爽热情，美国人不拘小节，在绝大多数情况下，不论男女老幼、地位高低，即使是与人首次见面通常都直呼对方的名字，与人见面时，常常不握手，只说一声“Hello”而已。

■美国的政府、企业均是5天工作制（five days a week），星期六（Saturday）、星期日（Sunday）休息。公定假日有元旦、华盛顿诞辰纪念日、阵亡将士纪念日、独立纪念日、劳动节、哥伦布日、退伍军人节、感恩节和圣诞节。

■美国人的时间观念很强，各种活动通常都是正点开始，约会迟到被认为是不礼貌的（impolite），一般情况下，美国人谈话不谈论个人问题，如婚姻、收入、职业等。

■在美国，家庭成员、朋友间传统上都要在圣诞节互送礼物。美国人在接受礼物时，通常都会当场打开礼物，赞扬一番，在美国人看来，接受礼物后放在一边，就是不礼貌的，是对礼品的不屑一顾。美国人不注重礼物的价值，但却十分讲究礼物的包装。

■在美国，几乎所有的场合，只要有服务性项目就必须准备好小费（fee）。即使是请人帮忙开一下门、叫一辆出租车，也需要付小费。在大城市里，给旅馆看门人、服务员和衣帽寄存处的服务员的小费，一般不低于一美元（one dollar）。在餐馆用餐，付饭钱的15%作小费，是全美共同遵守的标准。

■美国人大多喜爱鲜艳的颜色，即明朗、活泼、亮丽的色彩，对红（red）、蓝（blue）、白（white）三色特别有好感，美国国旗即由这三色组成。美国人不喜欢黑色（black），它是丧葬、失望和晦气的象征。美国中学生的课余活动（After-school Activities 在美国，中学生放学后通常有半小时左右的时间完成作业。除此之外，老师会要求学生定期写读书报告（report），例如：传记（biography）、动物故事（animal stories）、科幻小说（science fiction）、推理小说（mystery fiction）、历史事件（historic events）、家族史（family history）等。老师只是给读书报告搭个框架（outline），具体选题（topic）由学生自己来定。比如写“传记”，学生可以根据自己的爱好，或写林肯总统（President Lincoln），或写第一位登月宇航员（astronaut）、科学家（scientist）、体育明星（sports star）、歌手（singer）等一些有影响的人物。学生确定了选题后，通常需要到图书馆（library）阅读书籍收集资料。

虽然没有过多的家庭作业，但孩子也不是“放鸭子”。有组织的课外活动是十分丰富的，如游泳（swimming）、球类（ball games）、体操（gymnastics）、溜冰（roller-skating）等体育活动；钢琴（piano）、小提琴（violin）等乐器；芭蕾（ballet）、踢踏舞（tap dance）、绘画（painting）、唱歌（singing）、棋类（chess）以及男女童子军（boy scouts, girl scouts）等活动。每个社区（community）都有这样的青少年活动中心（youth center）。家长可以根据孩子的特点（character）和爱好（hobby），有选择地让他们参加某项活动。

美国孩子从12岁到法定工作年龄之前，会在课余、周末或假期里干些零活（odd jobs），挣些小钱。女孩子帮助亲朋或邻里照看小孩（babysitting）、打扫卫生（cleaning）等；男孩子则会每天清晨把当天报纸送到各家各户门口（delivering the newspapers），也会帮助街坊割草（mowing the lawn）、修饰庭院（renovating the yard）。这不仅让他们学会自己挣零用钱（pocket money），更能培养他们独立自主（independent）和社交的能力（social skills）。儿童节由来

每当“六一”国际儿童节的时候，孩子们都兴高采烈地欢度着自己的节日。那一张张笑脸，一阵阵歌声，都充满了幸福和快乐。但是你是否知道这“六一”节的来历？是否知道当年确定儿童节的时候，是因为世界上有无数的少年儿童在战争中被夺去了幼小的生命。

那是在第二次世界大战期间，1942年6月，德国法西斯枪杀了捷克利迪策村16岁以上的男性公民140余人和全部婴儿，并把妇女和90名儿童押往集中营。村里的房舍、建筑物均被烧毁，好端端的一个村庄就这样被德国法西斯给毁了

为了悼念利迪策村和全世界所有在法西斯侵略战争中死难的儿童，反对帝国主义战争贩子虐杀和毒害儿童，保障儿童权利，1949年11月国际民主妇女联合会在莫斯科召开执委会，正式决定每年6月1日为全世界少年儿童的节日，即国际儿童节。

新中国成立后，中央人民政府政务院于1949年12月23日作出决定，规定6月1日为新中国的儿童节，同时宣布废除旧中国国民党政府1931起实行的4月4日为儿童节的规定。

目前，各国政府普遍关注儿童的未来，保护儿童的权益。联合国1990年通过的《儿童权利公约》，我国是参与制定国和签约国之一。在批准《儿童权利公约》的同一年，我国颁布了《中华人民共和国未成年人保护法》，这对维护少年儿童的权益起到了积极的作用。

为切实保障儿童健康成长，中国立法、司法、政府各有关部门以及社会团体都建立了相应的机构。在全国人民代表大会和中国人民政治协商会议内分别设有负责妇女儿童保障的立法和监督机构。国务院下设的妇女儿童工作委员会，负责协调和推动政府有关部门做好维护儿童权益的保障工作，为儿童办实事。

日本：一年三次儿童节

日本是世界上庆祝儿童节次数最多的国家，他们一年要庆祝三次儿童节，而且庆祝方式十分有意思，充满了浓浓的日本风情。

3月3日女孩节

这个节日是专门为日本的小女孩设立的，每到这一天，家中有女儿的父母会在家里设置一个陈列台，台上放上穿着日本和服的漂亮女娃娃玩偶，作为给自己女儿的节日礼物。

5月5日男孩节

为了祝福家中的男孩健康、快乐，这一天日本家家户户都会用纸或布做成色彩鲜艳、形状像鲤鱼的彩带，然后把这些彩带串在竹竿上，并和金色的风车绑在一起，挂在屋顶上。之所以这样做，是因为日本人相信鲤鱼最有精神和活力，希望家中的男孩都像鲤鱼那样，因此这一天又称为“鲤鱼日”。

同时，日本的父母这一天也会在家里放置玩偶，但却都是武士装扮，样子很可怕。11月15日“七五三”儿童节

在日本习俗里，三岁、五岁和七岁是小朋友特别幸运的三个年纪，所以每年的这一天，会专门为这三个年纪的孩子热闹地庆祝一番。

这一天，小朋友会穿上最好的传统和服，还会背上一个画了松树、乌龟或鹤等图案的小纸袋，纸袋里装满了父母买的糖果和玩具。穿戴整齐后，父母会带小朋友上日本神社，祈求并感谢神明给小朋友带来健康和快乐。

母亲节（Mother's Day）

母亲节是一个感谢母亲的节日。在美国、加拿大和一些其他国家，每年5月的第二个星期天就是母亲节。在其他一些国家的日期并不一样。母亲们在这一天通常会收到礼物。康乃馨被视为献给母亲的花。父亲节(Father's Day)朔源

当我们小的时候，是父亲用自行车驮着我们兜风，是父亲陪着我们在公园里玩耍，是父亲帮助我们解决了第一个数学难题，又是父亲教会我们区分对与错。

那么在父亲节，我们是不是应该为自己的父亲做点什么，感谢他这些年来对我们的鼓励和支持呢？ 父亲节的想法是一位叫Sonora Smart Dodd 的女士在1909年提出来的。她想以一个特殊的日子来纪念自己的父亲。因为当年母亲在生第六个孩子的时候去世了，是父亲含辛茹苦地把六个孩子抚养长大。所以，Dodd 认为应该选一天来纪念勇敢、无私和爱意融融的父亲们。由于她的父亲生于6月19日，所以她就选1910年的6月19日作为第一个日子，纪念自己的父亲。直到1924年，美国总统Calvin Coolidge 萌生了在国家范围内庆祝父亲节的想法。最后，在1966年，每年6月份的第三个星期天终于被定为父亲节。

而我国的父亲节起源，要追溯到国民时代。民国三十四年的八月八日，上海闻人所发起了庆祝父亲节的活动，市民立即响应，热烈举行庆祝活动。抗日战争胜利后，上海市各界名流仕绅，联名请上海市政府转呈中央政府，定“爸爸”谐音的八月八日为全国性的父亲节。

有许多方式可以用来表达我们对父亲的爱戴和感激。可以送给他一张问候的贺卡，也可以送给美丽的花朵„„ 南瓜灯的传说

至于南瓜灯，Jack-o'-lantern，也有一个传说，吝啬的爱尔兰酒鬼Jack骗魔鬼爬进了苹果树的树洞，然后迅速在树干上刻了一个神圣的十字，困住了魔鬼。Jack逼着魔鬼起誓永远不再追索、或以任何其他方式谋取他的灵魂，这才把魔鬼放了出来。然而这却挡不住死亡的来临。Jack死后，由于酗酒、吝啬和欺诈，他未被允许进入天堂。而由于魔鬼的誓言，Jack也不能进入地狱。“那么我去哪里呢？” Jack不知所措地问。“哪儿来的回哪儿去！”魔鬼恶狠狠地回答。回去的路冷风四起，黑暗无边。魔鬼从地狱之火拣了一块烧得通红的火炭扔给他。为了照路又不被风吹灭，Jack将火炭放进了他手里拿着的大头菜中。Jack就这样举着他的“灯笼”寻找自己在地球上的存身之处。后来苏格兰人模仿他，挖空大头菜，放入蜡烛做灯笼；爱尔兰人用大头菜或用土豆做灯笼；英格兰人则用甜菜。后来他们移民到美国，发现了一个更好用的灯笼──南瓜灯！这个故事其实是在告诫人们，无论什么情形，都不要和魔鬼做交易。

Halloween costumes 万圣节服装（Halloween costumes）同样是万圣节的一个关键词。人们会穿着精心准备的服装参加万圣节舞会。传统的万圣节服装是恶魔（devils）、吸血鬼（vampires）、骷髅（skeletons）、幽灵（ghosts）、女巫（witches）。近几年，服装也出现科幻色彩，如外星人（aliens）和超人（superheroes）。同时流行文化也在万圣节服装上有所呈现，出现了在万圣节穿得像总统，运动员等。

Halloween Parade 万圣节大游行（Halloween Parade）源于1973年，刚开始只是一位面具制作家兼木偶操作师Ralph Lee的简单想法。当时他带着几个小孩在社区内办了一次小型的万圣节游行。第二年，纽约剧院邀请他将此构想带上大街，开始了一年一度的大游行。

现在，纽约市的万圣节大游行堪称是纽约格林威治村的盛事。每年大约有三万名化装的游行者和近二百万人前来观赏。阵容庞大的游行队伍里，随处可见各式各样的奇异装扮。大游行每年都会搭配不同的主题，比如环保、艾滋病等。

Apple bobbing

咬苹果（Apple bobbing）是万圣节的一个传统游戏。在游戏中，人们把盆子或桶盛满水，并把苹果放在水中。因为苹果的密度比水小，所以会漂浮在水面上。然后，参加游戏的人在不用手的情况下去咬苹果，谁先咬到，谁就是优胜者。在玩游戏的过程中，为了防止人们用手接触苹果，通常会把双手绑在背后。

Jack-o'-lantern “杰克灯”（Jack-o'-lantern）也叫南瓜灯，是万圣节的重要道具。人们制作的南瓜灯通常都有一双邪恶的眼睛和一张大嘴，并且从中透出飘忽不定的烛光。它的做法也极为简单。将南瓜（pumpkin）掏空，然后在外面刻上笑眯眯的眼睛和大嘴巴，再在瓜中插上一支蜡烛（candle），把它点燃。为了欢迎万圣节，当夜幕降临后，孩子们就会穿上五颜六色的化妆服（costume），戴上千奇百怪的面具（mask），提上一盏“杰克灯”跑出去玩。感恩节

感恩节（Thanksgiving Day）是美国和加拿大共有的节日，原意是为了感谢印第安人，后来人们常在这一天感谢他人。自1941年起，感恩节是在每年11月的第四个星期四在这一天起将休假两天，都要和自己的家人团聚，不管多忙都是如此。感恩节在每年11月22－28日之间，感恩节是美国国定假日中最地道、最美国式的节日（holiday），加拿大的感恩节则起始于1879年，是在每年11月第二个星期一，与美国的哥伦布日相同。

感恩节的传统主菜

每逢感恩节，美国人必有肥嫩的鸡可吃。火鸡是感恩节的传统主菜。它原是栖息于北美洲的野禽，后经人们大批饲养，成为美味家禽，每只可重达四五十磅。现在仍有些地方设有猎场，专供人们在感恩节前射猎，有兴趣的人到猎场花些钱，就能亲自打上几只野火鸡回家。使节日更富有情趣。

火鸡的吃法也有一定讲究。它需要整只烤出，鸡皮烤成深棕色，肚子里还要塞上许多拌好的食物，如碎面包等。端上桌后，由男主人用刀切成薄片分给大家。然后由各人自己浇上卤汁，洒上盐，味道十分鲜美。

感恩节的传统菜谱

感恩节的传统菜谱包括：Cornbread（玉米面包）、English Cheese Pie（英国奶酪派）、Venison（鹿肉）、Ducks & Geese（鸭和鹅）、Wild Turkey（野生火鸡）、Garlic and Onions（大蒜和洋葱）、Pumpkin Pudding（南瓜布丁）、Indian Pudding（印地安布丁）。总统放生火鸡仪式

每年一度的总统放生火鸡仪式始于1947年杜鲁门总统当政时期，但实际上这个传统仪式可以追溯到美国内战林肯总统当政的时期。1863年的一天，林肯的儿子泰德突然闯入内阁会议请求赦免一只名叫杰克的宠物火鸡，因为这只被送进白宫的火鸡，即将成为人们的圣诞节大餐。感恩节购物与黑色星期五

感恩节购物已经成为了美国人的习俗。从感恩节到圣诞节这一个月，美国零售业总销售额能占到全年的1/3强，是各个商家传统的打折促销旺季。疯狂的购物月从感恩节的次日（星期五）开始，这一天即被称为Black Friday（黑色星期五）。之所以叫这个名字，据说是因为周五这天一大早，所有人都要摸着黑冲到商场排队买便宜货，这种行为有个非常形象的说法，叫Bird of getting up early.（早起的鸟儿）。在外国“感恩节”和中国的春节一样重要！Babel, Tower of 巴别塔

The Tower of Babel, described in the Old Testament(Genesis 11: 1-9), was started by descendants of Noah on the plain of Shinar in Babylonia.The builders intended the tower to reach into heaven and make a name for them.God, however, was not pleased with the people, because they were disobeying the command given to Noah to fill the earth.The people's pride was leading them into rebellion against God, just as those people whom God had just destroyed by the Flood in Noah's time.To keep them from bringing greater punishment on themselves in 5 the near future, God stopped the building by confusing the language of the people, causing them to be scattered throughout the earth.The place where people built the tower is called Babel, so the tower is referred as the Tower of Babel.Today, the word “babel” in English means a scene of confusion, disorder, or noise from many different voices.巴别塔（Tower of Babel），也称通天塔。据《圣经·旧约·创世纪》第十一章中记载：诺亚方舟之后的幸存者繁衍了众多的后代，他们来到了巴比伦尼亚的示拿（Shinar）平原，准备在这个地方为自己建造一座通天塔。上帝觉得他们狂妄自大，十分不满，于是施法弄乱了人类的语言，让他们说不同的语言。这样一来，由于语言不通，人与人之间感情无法交流，思想难以统一，猜疑与争吵就此出现，通天塔也就未能建成。人们离开了巴比伦尼亚，到世界不同的地方生活。因此此处的城市名叫巴别（Babel），因而塔名取作巴别塔。现在babel一词用来指喧闹、混乱的场面。“apple of(one's)eye, the ” 掌上明珠

“The apple of one's eye” means someone's favorite or beloved person or thing, for example “His youngest son was the apple of his eye.” This idea comes from the ancient view that eyes are a very precious part of the body, and the pupil of the eye is shaped like an apple.The phrase is used several times in the English translation of the Bible from the early 1600s, often talking about God's love for the nation of Israel: “He that touches you touches the apple of his eye.”(Zechariah 2:8)

The apple of one's eye比喻最钟爱的人或物。例如，His youngest son was the apple of his eye（他的小儿子是他的掌上明珠）。这个说法来自古人的观念，由于眼睛是人身体中非常珍贵的部分，而瞳孔的形状像苹果，人们遂以the apple of one's eye这个词组来表示特别宝贵的人或物。这个短语在17世纪初英文翻译版的《圣经》中出现过几次，常用来形容上帝对以色列的钟爱。apple pie 苹果馅饼

Apple pie is made from pastry filled in the center with pieces of apple.The traditional shape is usually as big and round as a large plate, and about two to three centimeters high.Apple pie is usually considered to be a symbol of American culture.“As American as apple pie” is a saying meaning that something is typically American.For example, “Football and baseball are as American as apple pie” means that they were invented by Americans and played and watched everywhere in this country.The phrase “apple pie” is often part of other phrases such as “apple-pie order” which means well-arranged, perfect order.苹果馅饼就是以苹果为主要馅料的圆形馅饼，上下都有皮，烤成焦黄色。苹果馅饼是美国家喻户晓的糕饼，因此有人说苹果馅饼是美国的标志，人们常用它来表示典型或者纯粹的美国传统。英语中有些词组就显示了apple pie在美国人生活中的重要角色和文化特征。比如人们常说：as American as apple pie，这个词组的意思是像苹果馅饼一样具有美国特色；再比如apple-pie order是整齐、井然有序的意思，因为据说在每周开始的时候，有的美国家庭主妇习惯烤制七个苹果馅饼，整齐地放在食品架子上面，每天吃一个，有条不紊，因此apple-pie order 就有了整齐而有秩序的意思。

“All roads lead to Rome” 条条大路通罗

The saying “All roads lead to Rome” means simply that all paths or activities lead to the center of things.This saying comes from the days of the Roman Empire, when Rome ruled over most of the known world.The roads built at that time were for military use, so all the empire's roads started from the capital city, Rome, and spread out to cover the whole empire.The long highways were important for maintaining both the stability and the expansion of the empire.The Romans became famous for, among other things, their 80,000 kilometers of hard-surface highways.The saying “All roads lead to Rome” came into use in the 1100s as a metaphor, with the meaning that all different methods will still produce the same result.公元前3世纪，罗马帝国统一了整个亚平宁半岛。公元前1世纪，罗马城成为地跨亚、非、欧三洲，罗马帝国的政治、经济和文化中心。罗马帝国为了加强其统治，修建了以罗马城为中心，通向四面八方的大道。这些大道为巩固罗马帝国的统治和其扩张发挥了巨大作用。道路系统是以罗马城为中心向四周放射的，所以走任何一条大路都能到达罗马城。现在，这个成语比喻的是，通过不同方法可以得到同一个结果。

Aladdin's lamp 阿拉丁神灯

Aladdin's lamp is a famous lamp in one of the stories in The Thousand and One Nights.The story is about a poor young man named Aladdin, who helps a magician get a wonderful oil lamp from a dangerous magic cave.The magician tries to cheat Aladdin, so Aladdin keeps the lamp himself.He soon finds that a bad-tempered genie lives inside the lamp and must obey whoever holds the lamp.With the genie's help, Aladdin becomes a rich and powerful man and is able to marry the beautiful Princess Badroulbadour.The magician finally gets the lamp back by tricking the princess, who does not know how important the lamp is.Aladdin discovers that a ring left by the magician when he was cheating Aladdin controls a less powerful but more polite genie.With the help of this genie, Aladdin is able to get his wife and the lamp back.阿拉丁和神灯的故事取自童话集《一千零一夜》（又称《天方夜谭》）。

阿拉丁是一个贫穷的少年。有一天，一个魔法师雇用阿拉丁到一个山洞去取一盏油灯，那实际上一盏神灯，一旦拥有了它，就会要什么有什么。在这个过程中，魔法师欺骗了阿拉丁，并企图置他于死地，阿拉丁成功地死里逃生，并得到了神灯。借助于神灯的魔力，阿拉丁战胜了艰险，和美丽的公主白狄奴·卜多鲁结了婚。魔法师得知阿拉丁还活着，就从不知道神灯秘密的卜多鲁公主手里把神灯骗走。后来，经过曲折的过程，阿拉丁又把神灯收回，并从此和妻子一起过上了幸福的生活。

Air Jordan 飞人乔丹（1963—）

Air Jordan is a nickname for Michael Jordan, one of the greatest basketball players of all time.Michael Jordan was born in 1963 in Brooklyn, New York.In 1984, he went to play for the Chicago Bulls.He went on to win six 7 championships during his time with the team(1991-1993, 1996-1998).His height of 6 feet 6 inches(198 centimeters)led to his nickname “Air Jordan” because he often seemed to be flying through the air when he leaped up to make a basket.He retired twice from the Chicago Bulls, first in 1993 and then in 1999.He came out of retirement again for a short time to play for the Washington Wizards, but retired from basketball for the third and final time in 2003.His popularity with fans has helped basketball become one of the world's most popular spectator sports.Today the name “Air Jordan” is also often used to refer to the popular brand of basketball shoes named after Jordan.飞人乔丹是球迷们对迈克尔·乔丹的昵称。迈克尔·乔丹是美国杰出的篮球运动员。他1963年出生在纽约市。从他1984年加入芝加哥公牛队到1998年为止，乔丹率领该队六次赢得NBA总冠军，11次被评为NBA最佳球员，10次荣获“得分王”称号。虽然他曾在1993年和1999年两次宣布退役，但其后又重返赛场。在2003年他正式宣布退役。他身高1.98米，当他跃起扣篮时身体就像在空中飞行，极具弹跳能力，球艺出众，因而被称为“飞人乔丹”。如今Air Jordan也是一个以乔丹名字命名的球鞋的品牌名。

AIDS 艾滋病

AIDS, or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, is a human viral disease.It damages the body's immune system, and gradually takes away its ability to defend itself against infection and disease.AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus(HIV).People infected with HIV are open to infections that are harmless in healthy people, but can prove fatal in them as their immune systems are greatly weakened.HIV transmission can come through sex, blood transfusion, childbirth or breastfeeding.There is no cure for AIDS, but new drugs have been invented to help lengthen and improve the quality of life for people with AIDS.艾滋病的全称为获得性免疫缺陷综合征（Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome），是一种致命的传染病。它是人类免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）造成的人体免疫系统的病变。在多数情况下，HIV缓慢地攻击并破坏人体抵抗病疫的系统（即免疫系统），使得受感染的人容易得病、并最终死亡。AIDS是HIV感染的最后阶段。艾滋病通过性接触、血液接触或母婴途径传染。目前，对于艾滋病还没有有效的治疗药物或免疫的疫苗，但是通过服药治疗可延长艾滋病人生命并可改善他们的生命质量。Aesop 伊索

Aesop is said to be a slave who lived in Greece in the 6th century BC.He has been remembered for his wonderful stories, called fables.He used animal characters to show human behavior and to teach a lesson, or a moral, about that behavior.One of his most popular tales, for example, is “The Tortoise and the Hare,” with the moral “It is not just speed that wins the race.”

Aesop's fables spread throughout the world by word of mouth, retold for hundreds of years.Eventually they were written down and have been translated into many languages.相传伊索是生活在公元前6世纪的一个希腊奴隶，擅长讲故事。现在的《伊索寓言》是后人根据口头流传的寓言以及陆续发现的古希腊寓言传抄本编订的。《伊索寓言》大多是动物故事，其中的《狼与小羊》 《狮子与野驴》等用豺狼、狮子等凶恶的动物比喻人间的权贵，揭露他们的专横和残暴，反映了平民或奴隶的思想感情；《乌龟与兔》《牧人与野山羊》等总结了人们的生活经验，教人处世和做人的道理。伊索寓言形式短小精悍，比喻恰当，形象生动，对许多欧洲文学大师的创作产生了深远的影响。Achilles' heel 阿喀琉斯之踵

An Achilles' heel is a fatal weakness in overall strength that can lead to one's downfall or death.In Greek mythology, Achilles was the greatest Greek warrior in the Trojan War.He was the son of Peleus, king of Thessaly and the goddess Thetis.When he was a baby, his mother submerged him in the River Styx to make him immortal, all except for the heel that she held to dip him into the waters.Achilles fought many battles during the 10-year Trojan War and finally killed Memnon, the king of the Ethiopians.As Achilles led the Greeks to the walls of Troy, he died from a heel wound caused by an arrow shot by Paris, the prince of Troy.阿喀琉斯之踵比喻致命的弱点。在希腊神话中，阿喀琉斯是色萨利密尔弥东人的国王珀琉斯和海中仙女忒提斯的儿子。在特洛伊战争中，他是阿伽门农的军队中最伟大、最勇猛的战士。阿喀琉斯一出生，她母亲就捏着他的脚后跟，把他全身都浸入冥河水中，传说冥河水可以让人永生，故而阿喀琉斯周身获得了保护，造就了一副刀枪不入的钢铁之躯，只有脚后跟除外。阿喀琉斯出征特洛伊，为希腊军队立下了巨大的功勋。后来特洛伊王子帕里斯得到神示，用毒箭射中阿喀琉斯的脚后跟，才使他丧命。

第四篇：美国人的自信

记得刚到美国时，去买食品，光啤酒就有十几个牌子，有的牌子还分干啤、冰啤、轻啤，过去我习惯了没有太多选择的社会，从那时起我不得不开始做出一个又一个的选择。

生活中，美国社会给了我多一些的选择，也给了我多一些的责任，多一些的自信。来美国的有些亚洲新贵们，很快就发现他们身边少了一份熟悉的羡慕，便多了一份失落。于是，他们随时分发印有董事长头衔的名片，并不管用。又于是，一掷千金，买下华屋名车。可气的是，竟然连那些居斗室，开破车的美国佬也岿然不动，不肯景仰擦身而过的奔驰老总。当然更不会有人注意到他们袖口或领口的名牌。

在美国，高薪、华屋、名车的群众号召力没有在新富国家那样大。这个世界上难道还有什么物质比我们自身更令人动心的吗？当然没有。但很多美国人身为粗工阶层，也是心满意足。当你出入豪华宾馆时，为你叫车的男孩不卑不亢，礼貌周到，你会感到他的自信。

他未必羡慕你我选择的道路。千千万万的美国人按照自己的实际情况选择了职业，选择了生活的各个方面，也活出了一份自信。于是，让那些在本国高高在上的贵人们到了美国来就傲气顿失。

一个访美的亚洲官员讲：『我在国内时别人见我就点头哈腰，可是在这美国连有些捡破烂的人腰板都挺得直直的。』是的，当个人不能威风时，整个民族就可以威风了。

我原来工作的办公室里有个维修计算器系统的老美，大学毕业，工作十年了，很平常一个人。处久了，我们每天见面时也侃几句。一天，我开劝他：『你为什么不去微软工作呢？几年下来股票上就发了。』他说：『我不喜欢微软，这儿挺好。』后来我发现他有一张合影照片，他、他姐姐、姐夫、比尔盖茨。才知道他姐是早年跟比尔盖茨一起打下微软今天的功臣，现担任微软的副裁，也是亿万身家了。一问，办公室里有人知道，却没人跟他套近乎，大家把他支来支去。他不求致富，有一份淡泊的安祥。

你会发现，美国很多的博士们找工作，首选是做教授。做教授可比去公司穷，还辛苦，但有更多的学术和时间自由。我有个朋友，在一所大学任助理教授。美国几个最大的制药公司请他去主持一个研发部门，开价是他的学校年薪的三倍，他不去，就要做教授。还劲头十足地约我写论文，回国开讲座，其乐陶陶。最近他因为一项被美国医疗服务协会称为挑战传统的发现，而受到美国主要媒体的关注。一个本系的老美教授告诉他说：「我搞了多年的研究，好希望自己的研究成果也能引起如此的回响。」并且还认真地给这位老兄出主意，怎么样把这事的影响扩大。

如果我是他的同事，我是否会像那位老美一样为他的成功真诚激动，锦上添花呢？因为有自信，你的美国同事和朋友也乐于恭喜你的成功。没有自信，你很难心平气和地去祝贺你身边的同胞，哪怕是密友。有时倒不是因为他抢了你的机会，而是他的成功恰好勾起了你的自卑和由此产生的嫉妒，心态难于平衡。

若要以他人的不成功为骄傲的基础，你是把自信建立在了自卑的沙堆上。当他人的成功浪潮袭来之时，你将何以安身立命？曾记否？几年前轰动全美的一件惨案，依阿华大学的一位中国学生因为嫉妒而枪杀同胞又断送了自己。

信心乃人生之本，舍本求末，难为自己也难为他人。有一位朋友，拿到一个大学的教授职位，高高兴兴地从麻省来加州赴任，先租公寓居住。自己是教授，住的公寓当然不差。隔壁邻居是一家墨西哥人，每天见面都打招呼。聊天时老墨中气十足，没什么文化，但神色之间透出对生活相当满足的自信。这位仁兄想，这老墨虽没有文化，敢跟我大教授谈笑风生，想来也是生意上有成之辈。结果不然，这老墨没有工作，全靠五个小孩的政府补助过活，每人每月几百元钱，还有食品券。这位朋友感概地讲，恐怕克林顿总统来了，这老墨也不会腿软。职务也帮助不了你去吸引自信的朋友，话不投机半句多。

在这片崇尚自由呼吸的土地上，当你我理解并尊重他人的选择，就不会试图用高薪去让一个自命清高的教授下海，用博士学位去让一个讲求实惠的蓝领汗颜，用奔驰去让一辆招摇过市的旧车愧退，用华屋去让一位与世无争的高邻气短。有一个故事﹐事情发生在一九九七年十二月十一日。美国著名的悄悄话专栏的记者辛迪．亚当，她想约克林顿总统的夫人希拉理来个单独采访。多番努力，终于搞定，希拉理同意在她出席了纽约曼哈顿大学俱乐部的一个妇女集会的讲演后，跟辛迪谈一个小时。采访就定在曼哈顿俱乐部里。这个俱乐部有百年历史，庄重传统，古色古香。辛迪先到，在大厅等候。到了时间希拉理还没来，她坐不稳了，悄悄地把大哥大拿出来，打个电话问一下。守门的老头过来了，并说：『夫人，你在干什么？』辛迪说：『我跟克林顿夫人有个约会。』老头说：『你不可以在这个俱乐部里使用手机，请你出去。』说完后老头就走了，辛迪收起了手机。一会儿老头又来了，看见这女人没走，还与克林顿夫人在大厅里高谈阔论，在场的有总统府的高级助理们。老头不乐意了，说：『这是不能容许的行为，你们必须离开。』克林顿夫人说：『咱们走。』乖巧地拉上辛迪就出去了。这个老头可不是贾府门前的焦大，他选择了守门，拥有了一份权贵们不敢在他面前猖狂的自信。要是一天北京大学有一个守门人能挡出去一个政府部长，你我兄弟也许就可以把求职简历寄过去啦。

知道吗？比尔盖茨想参加哈佛的同班聚会，被有些同学拒绝了。是呀，你盖茨选择了中途退学，跟同学没多大关系，聚个啥会。选择了在哈佛毕业的同学未必都选择了向金钱屈膝。

当然，自信并非都来源于生活的选择，美国的选择也有不尽人意之处。

但是我知道，美国的选择给我带来了更适合自己的发展，我不再以他人的价值取向为自己的成功标准，幸福是不分贫富的，自信是不依赖他人。

第五篇：美国人放假制度

美国人的假期

美国没有国定假，只有联邦政府假，是各级政府雇员的假期。许多公司都参照联邦规定而制定自己的假日。联邦假日是：

新年元旦(New Year’s Day)。

马丁路德金生日(Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.)，1月第三个星期一。华盛顿生日(Washington’s Birthday)，2月第三个星期一。

阵亡将士纪念日(Memorial Day)，5月最后一个星期一。

独立节(Independence Day)，7月4日。

劳工节(Labor Day)，9月第一个星期一。

哥伦布纪念日(Columbus Day)，10月第二个星期一。

退伍军人节(Veterans Day)，11月11日。

感恩节(Thanksgiving Day)，11月第四个星期四。

圣诞节(Christmas Day)，12月25日。

你也许注意到，美国基本不用日期来命名节日。在中国，只要说“五四”、“七一”、“八一”、“十一”，大家就知道是什么节日。“三八”国际妇女节、“五一”国际劳动节和“六一”国际儿童节，100个美国人，99个不知道。

美国人只有四个假日是日期固定的：新年元旦，独立节，退伍军人节、圣诞节。你也许还注意到，美国有五个假日放在星期一。这样设定假日的目的，是让大家自然而然地连着三天放假。

美国没有调休放假制度。今年(2012年)的独立节，7月4日是星期三，那么，就那天放假，不调休。2011年的7月4日是星期一，碰巧可休息3天。2010年的7月4日是星期天，独立节放假，7月5日再补1天，休息2天。

从单个的假期来看，美国放假都只放1天，加上周末，也不过3天，而中国假期可长达7、8天。

我问一个美国朋友，喜欢中国的调休长假吗?他大摇其头：“一个星期怎么可以连着工作6天、7天!”美国劳动人民被宠坏了。每天工作8个小时，每周工作5天。这是基本原则，作息规定，不可违反。

那么，每个假期最多3天，美国人如何外出度假呢?有年假，通常每年两个星期左右。此外，还有病假(sick leave)，可用于本人，也可以用于照顾家人。3天内的病假是不用医生证明的。美国人没有全国一致的固定的长假，出游不会集中，所以，美国的旅游点永远不会“人山人海”;当然，也没有头痛的春运问题。

中国的调休放假制度，给人感觉假期很长。国庆和春节，国定假3天，加上两个周末，就有7到8天。这让数学不好的美国人“羡慕嫉妒恨”。