对话文本
Isabella: Matthew, do you know much about body language in countries around the world?
Matthew: sure, I’ve picked up a few things from travelling around for work. Why?
I: well, I had a meeting today with a woman from Japan and she wouldn’t stop bowing! I didn’t know what to do!
M: did you bow back?
I: no, I tried to shake her hand, but her hand was so limp I was a bit offended.
M: well, Japanese businessmen and women typically bow to greet each other in Japan. She might have been offended by your strong handshake.
I: but she was in America! Shouldn’t she have known that strong handshakes in America signify confidence and respect?
M: things are different in Japan. You know, in some countries, making eye contact with others is considered rude.
I: is that why she wouldn’t look at me in the meeting?
M: I think it’s highly possible, yes.
I: the meeting really didn’t go down well at all. I think I need to read up about intercultural communication before I have another meeting with someone from another country.
M: that’s a good idea. When you don’t know much about other cultures, the simplest thing can offend someone.
I: that’s so true. It’s great that we see eye to eye on this.
参考翻译
伊莎贝拉: 马修，你了解世界各国的身体语言吗？
马修：当然。我工作中有很多出差的机会，了解到一些这方面的知识。怎么了？
伊：好哎，我今天参加了一个会议，会上有个日本女子总是不停地鞠躬？我不知道该怎么办！
M：哦，在日本，谈生意的人无论男女一般都会互相鞠躬致意。你握手那么用力踏很可能因此而有点不愉快。
I：但她这是在美国！难道她不知道，在美国用力握手意味着信任和尊重吗？
M：这跟日本的习俗完全不同。你知道吗，在有些国家，直视对方的眼睛被认为是无理的举动。
I：这就是她为什么在开会时一直不看我的原因吧？
M：我觉得很可能是这个缘故。
I：这次的会晤进行得非常不顺利。我想下次再出席类似这样有外国人参加的会议之前，一定要熟知一些有关跨文化交流方面的知识。
M：这是个好主意。当你对另一种文化缺乏了解的时候，即使是最简单的举止也会冒犯到别人。
I：一点没错。真高兴咱俩对这件事情看法一致。
实战词汇
Bow 弯腰，鞠躬
Crawl 向前爬
Kneel 跪下
Pull 拉，拔
Handshake 握手
Smile 微笑
Nod 点头
Climb 向上爬
Dive 跳水
Lean 倾斜，斜倚
实战句型
A very strong handshake shows that the person is aggressive.
握手时非常用力，表明这个人可能有敌意和挑衅的意味。

In North America, people who are facing each other generally want about three feet of space in front of them.
在北美，人们面对面交谈时要保留三英尺左右的距离。

In some countries, looking at someone in the eye is considered rude.
在某些国家，直视对方的眼睛会被认为是无理的表现。

Mary is a difficult supervisor. She will really get in your face if you make a mistake.
玛丽这个主管很难相处。只要你做错事她就会毫不客气的批评你。