潛臺詞 和英國人交流需步步驚心
When the British say "I hear what you say. " They mean "I disagree and do not want to discuss it further." But what others understand is "He accepts my point of view."
當英國人說“我聽到你所說的了”時，他們的意思是“我不同意也不想就其做進一步討論”，而其他人卻理解成了“他接受了我的觀點”。
When the British say "With the greatest respect... " They mean "I think you are an idiot." But what others understand is "He is listening to me."
當英國人說“出於最大的尊重…”時，他們的意思是“我覺得你太二了”，而其他人卻理解成了“他正聽我說話呢”。
When the British say "That's not bad. " They mean "That's good." But what others understand is "That's poor."
當英國人說“不算太糟”時，他們的意思是“太好了”，而其他人卻理解成了“太差了”。
When the British say "That is a very brave proposal. " They mean "You are insane." But what others understand is "He thinks I have courage."
當英國人說“那真是一個非常有勇氣的提議”時，他們的意思是“你真是瘋了”，而其他人卻理解成了“他覺得我很有膽識”。
When the British say "Quite good. " They mean "A bit disappointing." But what others understand is "Quite good."
當英國人說“很不錯哦”時，他們的意思是“有點小失望”，而其他人卻理解成了“真心不錯”。
When the British say "I would suggest... " They mean "Do it or be prepared to justify yourself." But what others understand is "Think about the idea, but do what you like."
當英國人說“我想建議的是……”時，他們的意思是“去實踐或者做好準備證明你自己”，而其他人卻理解成了“考慮一下他的點子，但還是做我想做的”。
When the British say "Oh, incidentally / by the way... " They mean "The primary purpose of our discussion is..." But what others understand is "That is not very important."
當英國人說“順便說一句……”時，他們的意思是“我們討論的最根本目的是……”，而其他人卻理解成了“接下來的話不是非常重要”。
When the British say "I was a bit disappointed that... " They mean "I am annoyed that..." But what others understand is "It doesn't really matter."
當英國人說“我對……有點小失望”時，他們的意思是“我對……很惱火”，而其他人卻理解成了“無傷大雅”。
When the British say "Very interesting. " They mean "That is clearly nonsense." But what others understand is "They are impressed."
當英國人說“非常有意思啊”時，他們的意思是“那明顯是瞎扯淡”，而其他人卻理解成了“那真是讓人印象深刻”。
When the British say "I'll bear it in mind. " They mean "I've forgotten it already." But what others understand is "They will probably do it."
當英國人說“我刻在腦子裏了”時，他們的意思是“我已經不記得了”，而其他人卻理解成了“他們大概會去做的吧”。
When the British say "I'm sure it's my fault. " They mean "It's your fault." But what others understand is "Why do they think it was their fault?"
當英國人說“我確定是我錯了”時，他們的意思是“那其實是你的錯”，而其他人卻理解成了“爲什麼他們會覺得是他們的錯呢？”
When the British say "You must come for dinner. " They mean "It's not an invitation, I'm just being polite." But what others understand is "I will get an invitation soon."
當英國人說“你一定要來赴宴”時，他們的意思是“那絕不是什麼邀請，我只不過想禮貌一些”，而其他人卻理解成了“馬上我就會收到一個邀請了”。
When the British say "I almost agree. " They mean "I don't agree at all." But what others understand is "He's not far from agreement."
當英國人說“我基本同意”時，他們的意思是“我一點兒都不同意”，而其他人卻理解成了“他真的是非常非常同意啊”。
When the British say "I only have a few minor comments. " They mean "Please re-write completely." But what others understand is "He has found a few typos."
當英國人說“我只是有一點兒建議”時，他們的意思是“請從頭到尾地重寫一份吧”，而其他人卻理解成了“他只不過發現了一些言語錯誤”。
When the British say "Could we consider some other options?" They mean "I don't like your idea." But what others understand is "They have not yet decided."
當英國人說“我們可以再考慮一些其他的選擇嗎？”時，他們的意思是“我着實不喜歡你的點子”，而其他人卻理解成了“他們還沒有決定下來吧”。
