如何与外国人交谈

1.要尊重差异：世界上很多国家正在变成文化的“熔炉”，与以前相比，当今的社会会有更多不同的文化、宗教和种族团体。如果你知道不同国家的人通常有不同的谈话和行为方式，那么你被冒犯或者冒犯他人的可能性就会小很多。尽管美国人以友好著称，但是他们的不拘礼节并不总是被其他国家的人理解和欢迎的。一般而言，当你接待来自除美国以外国家的客人时，你应当采用一种更为保守的方式。

Respect differences: Many countries around the world are becoming "melting POTS" of cultures, and there are more diverse cultural, religious and ethnic groups in today's society than ever before. If you know that people from different countries usually talk and behave differently, you are much less likely to be offended or give offense to others. Although Americans are known for their friendliness, their informality is not always understood or welcomed by people from other countries. Generally speaking, you should take a more conservative approach when you receive guests from countries other than the United States.

2.不要羞于作自我介绍：“你好，我叫吉姆。”在大多数的社交和商业场合，这是与外国人交流的可接受的最佳开场白。这种友好而又典型的美国式问候表明你很想和他们交流。然而，很多英国人、欧洲人、中东人和亚洲人还是比较喜欢用头衔（先生，夫人，小姐或博士）和姓来称呼他们刚刚熟悉的人。交谈一会儿后，你可能觉得时机成熟可以直呼其名了。那么你可以这样说：“请叫我……（你的名字）。”他可能也会主动要你直呼他的名字，当然这取决于交谈者的意愿和当时的情形。如果没有，就继续称呼他的头衔和姓，直到他请你作出改变。

Don't be shy about introducing yourself: "Hello, my name is Jim." In most social and business situations, this is the best acceptable way to start a conversation with a foreigner. This friendly and typically American greeting shows that you are eager to communicate. However, many Britons, Europeans, Middle Easterners and Asians prefer to use title (Mr, Mrs, Miss or Dr) and surname to address people they have just met. After talking for a while, you might decide it's time to call the person by his first name. Say something like, "Please call me… (your name)." He may also ask you to call him by his first name, depending on the person you are talking to and the situation. If not, keep using his title and last name until he asks you to make a change.

3.要对交谈者的国家表示感兴趣：通过探寻交谈者国家大体的背景信息来对他们国家表现出好奇和兴趣。对他们国家的文化赞扬越多，他和你恳切交谈的可能性就越大。发掘所有你知道的关于他的国家、城镇、人民、食物、音乐等的信息，你就有了丰富的谈话材料。千万不要谈论关于性、政治和宗教的话题。谈论这些传统的“禁忌话题”是相当危险的，它经常会引起争执。不过你可以放心地问一些日常的信息，比如：告诉我一些关于你居住的小镇的情况；你成长的地方怎么样？（或者过去生活的地方，等等）；你居住的地方的人们都做什么工作？向外国朋友请教一些他们本国的日常用语时，他们是很乐意的。这个技巧是营造和谐氛围并表现希望了解他们国家文化的一种好方法。例如：你可以问希腊（日本、波兰等）人怎么说“你好”、“再见”、“谢谢”。然后，当你再次见到这个人时，说几句他们的本国语，你会看到他们灿烂的微笑和明亮的眼睛。

Show an interest in the country of your interlocutor: Show an interest in the country of your interlocutor by seeking out general background information about their country. The more you praise the culture of their country, the more likely he is to have a sincere conversation with you. Discover all the information you know about his country, town, people, food, music, etc., and you'll have a wealth of conversation material. Never talk about sex, politics or religion. Talking about these traditionally "taboo topics" is dangerous and often leads to arguments. But feel free to ask for mundane information like: Tell me about your town; What's the place where you grew up like? (or where you used to live, etc.); What jobs do the people where you live do? Foreign friends are very happy to ask them some everyday expressions from their native countries. This technique is a great way to create a harmonious atmosphere and show a desire to learn about their country's culture. For example, you can ask people in Greece (Japan, Poland, etc.) how to say "hello", "goodbye", "thank you". Then, when you meet the person again, speak a few words in their native language and you will see their bright smile and bright eyes.

4.当他人说错话时，不要苛责：因为大部分国家之间的习俗存在很大的差异，所以新来者不能接受当地的习惯和礼节是很正常的。诸如“你挣多少钱？”或“为什么你不要孩子？”等这种问题你可能觉得是私人问题，但在一部分国家里却可能经常谈论。当被问到一些敏感的私人问题时，不要认为这是对你个人的冒犯，而把它看作是对你的生活方式和文化的好奇。

Don't be critical when someone says something wrong: Since customs vary widely between most countries, it's not unusual for a newcomer to be unable to adopt local customs and etiquette. Questions like "How much money do you make?" "Or" Why don't you have kids? You may think it's a private matter, but in some countries it's often talked about. When asked something sensitive and personal, don't take it as a personal affront. Instead, take it as a curiosity about your lifestyle and culture.

5.要避免陈词滥调：尽管世界上特定国家或地区的人们有着相近的习俗和交谈方式，但仍然不要认为他们都是一个模子铸出来的。不要做这样陈词滥调的评论“你们法国人（德国人，中国人或其他国家的人）总是……”当你询问他们的个人意见、观点和感受时，你和外国人的交谈就会更好。

Avoid cliches: Although people from certain parts of the world have similar customs and ways of talking, don't assume that they are all shaped in the same way. Don't make cliched comments like "You French (Germans, Chinese or others) are always…" You will have much better conversations with foreigners when you ask them for their personal opinions, opinions and feelings.

6.不要自以为了解交谈者的国家：“你不是来自英格兰吗？但是听起来你像是英国人！”当与英国口音的人交谈时这种错误经常发生。事实上，他们可能来自南非、新西兰、澳大利亚、爱尔兰、苏格兰、威尔士、印度、加拿大、加纳、中国香港，或者任何其他五十个独立国家或曾经是英国殖民地的地方。当你根据他们的外表、语言或口音作出不正确的推断时，你会冒犯到他们。例如，法语被使用在海地、几内亚、阿尔及利亚、加勒比海等其他国家，地球上有9000万的人把法语作为母语。西班牙语是世界上说得最广泛的语言之一。美国有超过1450万的人说西班牙语，他们中大部分出生在美洲。如果因为一个人说西班牙语而认为他来自墨西哥将可能陷入尴尬。说英语的加拿大人不喜欢被人们误认为是美国人，但这种事经常发生。法裔加拿大人会尽力纠正认为他们是法国人的人们。来自亚洲的一个国家的人如果被认为是亚洲或者其他国家的人时，他们也会不愉快。如果你混淆了希腊人和土耳其人，或者以色列人和巴勒斯坦人，可能会引发冲突。像这样可能失言或者失礼的事情应有很对，你一定要小心。仔细听他们提到的地名，可能会提供他们国籍的线索，切不可随意主观臆测。如果你不能肯定，就不要进行猜测。不妨直接问，“你来自哪里？”或者“你在哪里长大的？”

Don't assume you know your speaker's country: "Aren't you from England? But you sound English! ' This mistake often happens when talking to people with a British accent. In fact, they may have come from South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, India, Canada, Ghana, Hong Kong, China, or any of the fifty other independent countries or former British colonies. You offend people when you make incorrect inferences based on their appearance, language, or accent. For example, French is spoken in Haiti, Guinea, Algeria, the Caribbean and other countries, and 90 million people on the planet speak French as their mother tongue. Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. More than 14.5 million people speak Spanish in the United States, most of them born in the Americas. Thinking someone is from Mexico because they speak Spanish can be embarrassing. English-speaking Canadians don't like being mistaken for Americans, but it happens all the time. French Canadians will do their best to correct people who think they are French. People from a country in Asia are also not happy when they are identified as Asian or other countries. If you mix up the Greeks and the Turks, or the Israelis and the Palestinians, it could lead to conflict. There's nothing wrong with a possible gaffe or faux pas like this, and you have to be careful. Listen carefully for place names they mention, which may give clues to their nationality. Don't make any assumptions. If you're not sure, don't speculate. Just ask, "Where are you from?" "Or" Where did you grow up?"

7.说话速度和用词要照顾到对方的语言能力：当你第一次见到陌生人且他的语言不是你的母语时，要减慢语速，缩短句子，直到你确定对方的理解水平。如果存在语言障碍，要有耐心，遵循国际主义的经典建议，“把话说简单，声音不要太大，而且说话时不要让对方觉得你是在和小孩说话。”要明白的是很多人对他们说外语的能力有表现欲，也可能需要你在交谈时给与一点额外的鼓励。如果有人说她的语言能力很不够时，你可以这样说，“我觉得你说得很好，你学习这门语言多久了？”

Speed and choice of words take into account the speaker's language ability: When meeting someone for the first time and their language is not your native language, slow down and shorten sentences until you are sure of their level of understanding. If you have a language barrier, be patient and follow classic internationalist advice, "keep things simple, not too loud, and don't make it sound like you're talking to a child." Be aware that many people are exhibiting their foreign language skills and may need a little extra encouragement from you in the conversation. If someone tells you that her language skills are lacking, say something like, "I think you speak it very well. How long have you been learning this language?"

8.不要假装明白：在你和他人交流的过程中，要保证对方能明白你在说什么。即使他们没有完全明白你的意思或意向，由于他们的语言技巧有限，他们也经常会点头，如果你问“你听明白了吗？”的时候他们也会说“是的”。通过让对方重复或解释你说过的话可以避免产生误解。或者你可以重述你对他的话的理解。例如，“我仅仅想知道我的理解是否正确，你想让我……对吗？”如果你发现对方没有理解你的意思，试着用简单的语言更直接的重述一遍。你可以这样说，“我用另外一种方法来解释。”

Don't Pretend to Understand: When you communicate with someone, make sure they understand what you're saying. Even if they don't fully understand your meaning or intention, due to their limited language skills, they will often nod if you ask "Do you understand?" "And they say" yes." Avoid misunderstandings by asking the other person to repeat or interpret what you have said. Or you can restate your understanding of what he said. For example, "I just want to know if my understanding is correct that you want me to… Isn't it?" If you find that the other person doesn't understand you, try to repeat it more directly in simple language. Say something like, "I'll explain it another way."

9.谈一些轻松的话题：大部分外国人喜欢交流对各种问题的观点，这些话题可以暴露他们的兴趣、经历和品味。例如，你谈论：你觉得居住在这最有意思的是什么？；当你休息的时候，你喜欢做什么？；你最近有看喜欢的电影吗？；如果我去游览你们国家（城市等），你觉得去哪比较好？

Talk about light topics: Most foreigners like to exchange views on a variety of issues. These topics reveal their interests, experiences and tastes. For example, you talk about: What do you find most interesting about living here? ; What do you like to do when you have a break? ; Have you seen any favorite movies lately? ; If I were to visit your country (city, etc), what would be a good place to go?

10.不要讨论扫兴的话题：如果你和外国人还不是很熟悉，最好不要和他们谈论一下话题。这些存在争议的话题可能会激化人们而产生忧郁的情绪，残忍犯罪、殖民主义、共产主义、经济问题、种族幽默、国内政治、金钱问题、贫困、地方冲突、激进动荡的局面、宗教、性、恐怖主义、灾难等。如何和外国朋友相处呢？当你遇到一个外国人，下一步建立友谊的关键就是保持联络。给你的新朋友写信或者贺卡，告诉他，你多么想见到他而且你应该说到做到。记住他的生日或者特殊的大事会增进你们的友谊。当然，尽可能地和你的朋友见面。

Don't discuss killkillers: If you're not familiar with a foreigner, it's best not to discuss topics with them. These controversial topics may heighten feelings of melancholy, such as brutal crime, colonialism, communism, economic issues, racial humor, domestic politics, money issues, poverty, local conflicts, radical unrest, religion, sex, terrorism, disasters, etc. How to get along with foreign friends? When you meet a foreigner, the next key step in building a friendship is to keep in touch. Write a letter or card to your new friend, telling him how much you want to see him and that you should do what you say. Remembering his birthday or special event will strengthen your friendship. Of course, meet your friends as often as possible.

美国女演员雪莉·麦克雷恩说过：“出行越多，我越意识到恐惧使原本可以成为朋友的人依然陌路。”和外国人交流是有挑战性的，尤其是当你几乎不知道他们的文化敏感区和禁忌时。当你知道一个人的文化和国家越多时，你说错话和冒犯他们的情况就会越少。不要以一成不变的方式对待他人，这很重要，要知道你正在和个体谈话，而且在国家和地区间有很多的文化差异。当你和他们见面谈话时，为了避免说错话或做错事，就要观察、聆听和遵从他们的意见。还要记住，要有礼貌，注意你的礼仪，永远不要说“但是我想你们国家的人都有……”

American actress Shirley McLaine once said, "The more I travel, the more I realize that fear can make people who could be friends strangers." Communicating with foreigners can be challenging, especially when you know little about their cultural sensitivities and taboos. The more you know about a person's culture and country, the less likely you are to say the wrong thing or offend them. It is important not to treat others in a stereotypical way, knowing that you are talking to individuals and that there are a lot of cultural differences between countries and regions. When you meet and talk with them, observe, listen and follow their advice in order to avoid saying or doing the wrong thing. Also remember, be polite, watch your manners, and never say "But I think people in your country have…"