浊酒倾觞Q: 您好，杰克逊先生。您在中国己连续工作了三年，您能否谈一 下中美两国生意人在商务沟通方式上有何不同之处? Hi, Mr. Jackson. You have been working in China for three years. Can you tell us how you feel about the differences in business communication style between Chinese and American businessmen? A: With pleasure. 1 think there are at least two differences in the way of business communication between Chinese and American businesspeople. First, Chinese businessmen tend to have business negotiations in a rather indirect manner, as opposed(与…相反) to the more direct manner of American businesspeople. The Chinese take time to learn if their prospective（预期的） business contacts are really reliable, 中国人会花费时间来了解他们将要与之打交道的商人是否靠得住，for example, by inviting them to a party and socializing(（与…）交往，联谊)with them. In contrast, Americans usually act with the \down-to-business-first\mentality. Second, the decision making process of Chinese companies is generally slow and time-consuming. This is because most Chinese companies keep to the \then top-down and then bottom-up\decision-making principle（原则） which involves many people at different levels. 各个层次上的许多人士都介人决策过程American companies, on the other hand, usually operate with
quick decisions made by the top management. 1 hope American businesspeople in China will understand these differences in business practices and adjust to the Chinese way. Q: 美国式的经营之道在我们中国人看来往往显得咄咄逼人。您 在与中国同事的合作中有无注意到这一点? The American way of doing business often strikes us Chinese as Very aggressive. Were you aware of this in your collaboration with your Chinese colleagues?
A: Well, we are more direct and straight forward that most Chinese, 1 would say, due to our different cultural traditions. 1 noticed that a lot of Chinese often avoid saying a clear \no\just to be polite. Sometimes my Chinese colleague say \not to express agreement, but only to show that they are listening.
Q: 我们都应该承认这些文化差异，尊重这些差异，以免产生误解， 这很重要，不是吗? It is important for all of us to acknowledge and respect these cultural differences in order to avoid misunderstandings, isn't
A: Yes, understanding these differences, 1 believe, will be a first step toward establishing a firm business relationship between American and Chinese companies.
Q: 刚才您提到了中国式的决策过程，您认为这种管理模式有无优点?
将其与美国式的管理模式相比，您有何看法? You mentioned the Chinese type of decision-making process earlier. Do you see any strength with this type of management and how do you compare it with the American type of management?
A: 1 would say the American-type, or the top-down, management emphasizes efficiency, and competition among workers, while the Chinese-type management gives priority to careful planning and encourage cooperation among workers, and between workers and the management. Thus, while the American-type management often frustrates(使受挫折)many workers, the Chinese-type management gives workers a joy of participation and fulfillment, and a sense of pride in their work.
Q: 谈到员工的工作态度，中国人和美国人在这方面有何不同? Talking about' workers' attitude toward their work. how do the Chinese and the Americans differ in this respect?
A: 1 think most Chinese view work as essential for having Membership(会员身份)in a community. 我认为，大多数中国人将工作视为能使自己成为整个团体中的一分子的必不可缺的条件They believe that work allows them to have the sense of belonging in a community. 团体归属感 in other words, work is necessary for them to gain social acceptance in the society. That is why many Chinese managers and employee work so hard to maintain
their positions in their companies. Also, they see work as the most important thing in life. That is, they have tried to find the meaning of life through their jobs. While the Chinese work ethic is based on social pressure(社会压力) and community belonging团体归属感, the American work ethic seems to be more individual oriented. Traditionally, we work because it is the will of God我们工作是秉承了上帝的意志, and we often value the results and accomplishments of work more than its process. By the way , I'm very impressed by the obvious strong sense of dedication(奉献) to the jobs among the older Chinese employees. 附带说一句， 年龄较大的中国员工对自己的工作有一种明显的奉献精神，我对此有很深刻的印象。
Q: 回到我们一开始的话题，您如何评价中美两种不同经营之道的 利弊呢? Returning to where we started, how do you comment on the merits and demerits of the two different approaches to business management?
A: It is difficult to decide which is better than which , because there are some merits (优劣)and demerits (孰劣)to both types of management. My suggestion is that people of both countries should learn from each other. 1 will say that in recent years, the merits of the Chinese way, or rather , the Oriental(东方的) way, of management are beginning to be
recognized（认可） by an increasing number of people in the West. This more humane Oriental way of management seems to offer a great deal to the executives （行政人士）of our American industries. 东方人的这种人情味更浓的经营方式似乎给我们美国产业界的管理人士以颇多的启迪。
Q: 谢谢!谢谢您接受我的采访。Thank you for sharing your time with me. A: My pleasure.
Listen and interpret the following conversation alternatively into English and Chinese:
An interview with a songwriter about her debut album, \Encounter , \
Q; 海伦，你对媒体有什么忌讳吗? Helen ，is there anything that you wish the media wouldn't ask you?
A: No, 1 like inquiries(询问;查究) from the press people, because as long as they are asking questions , I'm doing okay. 没什么忌讳的。我喜欢新闻记者的提问，因为只要记者有问题要问我，那就说明我还干得不错。
Q; 你把自己的首张专辑献给你的母亲，请问她对你的艺术生涯产 生了什么样的影响? You dedicated your debut album to your mom. In what way did she impact your art career?
A: She was a vocalist(歌唱家) and one of my best friends. 1
