評論
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16. When Is the Best Time?
何為最佳時機？
Some people go so far as to say that time does not really exist; it is all in the mind, they claim.
有些人竟然說時間根本不存在，他們宣稱都是心理在作崇。
Others note that according to astrophysicists, time really does exist;
其它人則表示根據天文物理學家的說法，時間的確存在，
it is inseparable from space, coexisting in what these scientists call the "time-space continuum."
它和空間是密不可分的，共同存在于這些科學家所謂的“連續時空”中。
No matter which view you may hold, time is of relative importance in different cultures.
不管你持哪一種看法，在各個不同的文化中時間都相當重要。
However, when traveling, doing business, or studying in a German- or English-speaking country, it is a good idea to consider time to be of the utmost importance.
然而，當你到說德語或英語的國家旅行、做生意或念書時，最好把時間視為最重要的事。
Many people have noted that the Germans and English are both methodical and well-organized.
許多人指出德國人和英國人做事有條不紊且組織嚴謹。
Naturally, not everyone among them is, but these peoples do seem to share a penchant for orderliness and punctuality.
當然，他們之中不是每個人都這樣，但秩序和守時卻似乎是這兩個民族的共同愛好。
Clocks and time have played a great part in defining the character of the Anglo-Saxons.
時鐘和時間大大說明了盎格魯·撒克遜人的性格。
The geographic use of time began during the British Empire with the world divided by latitude and longitude, with zero degrees longitude running through the observatory at Greenwich, in London.
地理時間的使用始于大英帝國時期，當時用緯線和經線劃分世界，零度經線通過倫敦的格林尼治天文臺。
According to the British of that day, the world began its time-keeping from London —— and it still does.
根據當時英國人的說法，全世界從倫敦開始計算時間——至今仍然如此。
Time is of paramount importance to these Europeans and their overseas descendants.
時間對這些歐洲人和他們的海外后裔來說是最最重要的。
If you are visiting or staying in these countries, here are a few pieces of advice to help you make the transition to a time-centered civilization.
如果你到這些國家去玩或居留，以下的一些建議有助于你適應一個凡事以時間為中心的文明社會。
As you probably already know, being punctual —— to the minute —— is held in high esteem among them.
你或許已經知道，準時到一分不差的地步在他們之間極受推崇。
Time is the most valuable commodity one can have, according to the doctrine of the time worshippers.
根據這些時間崇拜者的信條，時間是一個人所能擁有最寶貴的資產。
We are not given very much of it whilst on this planet, and we should do our best to utilize it efficiently each and every day, they say.
他們說我們在這世上的時間不多，所以每一天都應該盡全力有效運用它。
Wasting others' time by forcing them to wait is a sign of disorganized living, a sort of admission to being low-class.
強迫他人等待而浪費他們的時間是生活紊亂的表現，也是一種水平低落的自我表白。
It is also seen as an insult to those kept waiting, as if to say, "Your time is not that important."
這也被視為是對等待者的一種侮辱，仿佛在說：“你的時間沒什么重要。”
To them, this attitude borders on sin itself!
對他們而言，這種態度本身簡直就是罪惡！
In business, being late even only a few times may make the difference between your getting a promotion and being kept "in your place."
在工作上，即使只遲到個幾次也會對你造成升遷或繼續留在“原位”的差別。
For social dates, it is a sign of slovenliness at best, rejection of those waiting at worst.
在社交約會上，遲到的最好情況是被認為行事馬虎，而最壞的情況則是被等待的人拒絕往來。
In school, never burst open the door of the lecture hall to announce, "I'm sorry I'm late, sir" as is the custom in many countries.
在學校中，千萬不要驟然推開課堂的門宣布說：“老師，對不起，我遲到了。”這在許多國家中是習以為常的事。
The double crime of being tardy and interrupting the proceedings which began on time occurs, with a likely prejudiced and unfavorable grade awaiting the hapless student.
犯下遲到又打斷準時上課進行的雙重罪行，很可能一個印象惡劣的低分成績就等著這位不幸的學生。
Of course, being late can sometimes not be avoided, as in unexpected traffic jams, home emergencies, or having been given the wrong information of date or place.
當然，有時候遲到是無可避免的，就像突如其來的交通阻塞、家庭緊急事故或者被通知的日期和地點錯誤等。
When these all-too-human mishaps do occur, it is important to explain the reason for being late.
當這些人之常情的不幸意外真的發生時，務必要解釋遲到的理由。
It is also a good idea, of course, to apologize for the useless waiting and to assure the other or others that it will never happen again.
當然，最好也必須為引起無謂的等候道歉，并向對方保證絕不再犯。
In this age of cell phones, every effort should be made to call ahead if tardiness of more than ten minutes is unavoidable, especially for business or professional appointments or important dates.
在現今這個移動電話普及的時代，如果避免不了要遲到超過十分鐘以上，要盡可能先打電話通知，特別是生意上或職業上的會面，或者是重要約會。
The last phrase anyone wants to hear is a frosty "You could have called."
絕沒有任何人想聽到一句冷冰冰的：“你可以先打電話啊。”
That is the prelude to a ruined evening.
那一晚的約會就在這前奏聲中毀了。
Not everything begins exactly on time, even in Anglo-Saxon culture.
即使在盎格魯·撒克遜人的文化中，也不是每件事都準時開始。
Many casual parties are "open" concerning time; the party begins when you get there.
許多輕松的派對是隨著時間“開”的；人何時到，派對便何時開始。
The same is generally true of backyard barbecues and picnics.
在后院舉辦的烤肉和野餐通常也是如此。
Dinner parties, on the other hand, are obviously planned around a meal time; one should make every effort to arrive on (not before) time.
另一方面，晚宴則顯然是吃飯時間辦的，客人應該盡量準時（而非提前）到達。
A friendly "Drop by this evening" invites common sense to interpret:
一句友好的“晚上過來吧”得用常識解釋：
too early during the evening may embarrass the host who is eating dinner, while too late may disturb those who prefer going to bed early.
傍晚太早過去可能讓正在吃晚餐的主人尷尬；而太晚又可能吵到喜歡早睡的人。
A call first to make sure is never out of line.
先打電話確定總是妥當之計。
Remember that time is relative in importance to people within a culture just as it is between cultures.
記住時間對同文化或不同文化的人來說都一樣很重要。
Nothing is more important than human relations.
人與人之間的關系任何事也比不上。
If you commit the "crime" of being late with Anglo-Germanic friends, simply apologize.
如果你犯了和英、德友人約會遲到的“罪”，道歉就好了。
Few people intentionally keep others waiting, after all.
畢竟，很少有人故意要讓別人等候。
Remember, too, that, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."
同時記住：“入境要隨俗。”
In English- and German-speaking lands, this means "Time waits for no man!"
在說英語和德語的國家中，這句諺語就表示“時間不等人！”
