I have always found the Chinese to be a very polite people. In particular, Chinese frequently compliment (称赞) foreign friends on their language skills, knowledge of Chinese culture, professional accomplishments, and personal health. Curiously, however, Chinese are as loath to accept a compliment as they are eager to give one. As many of my Chinese friends have explained, this is a sign of the Chinese virtue of modesty.
I have noticed a difference, though, in the degree to which modesty is emphasized in the United States and China. In the US, we tend to place more emphasis on “seeking the truth from fact”, thus, Americans tend to accept a compliment with gratitude.
Chinese, on the other hand, tend to reject the compliment, even when they know they deserve the credit or recognition which has been awarded them. I can imagine a Chinese basketball fan meeting Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls. He might say, “Mr. Jordan, I am so happy to meet you. I just want to tell you, you are the best basketball player in the world; you’re the greatest!” to which Jordan would probably respond, “Thank you very much. I really appreciate it! I just to try to do my best every time I step on the court.” If an American met Deng Yaping, China’s premier pingpong player, he might say much the same thing: “Ms. Deng, you’re the best!” but as a Chinese, Deng would probably say, “No, I really don’t play all that well. You’re too much kind.”
Plainly, Americans and Chinese have different ways of responding to praise. Ironically, many Americans might consider Ms. Deng’s response the less modest, because it is less truthful—and therefore less sincere. Americans generally place sincerity above manners; genuine gratitude for the praise serves as a substitute for protestations of modesty. After all, in the words of one of my closest Chinese friends, modesty taken to the extreme is pride.
12. What does the underlined word “loath” in paragraph 1 refer to?
A.Polite. | B.Uncertain. | C.Curious. | D.Unwilling. |
13. Why does the author mention Michael Jordan and Deng Yaping?
A.To note they do as much as they can each time they play against others. |
B.To remind readers they are the best players in basketball and table tennis. |
C.To explain they deserve the credit or recognition for their great contributions. |
D.To show they as Chinese and Americans are different in accepting praise. |
14. Why do Americans consider Ms. Deng’s response the less modest?
A.They think sincerity matters the most. | B.They think her reply is against the fact. |
C.They think she is too modest to believe. | D.They think manners is more important. |
15. In what column can you find this passage in a newspaper?
A.Education. | B.Sports. | C.Culture. | D.People. |