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Time is, for the average American, of utmost importance. To the foreign visitor, Americans seem to be more concerned with getting things accomplished on time (according to a predetermined schedule) than they are with developing deep interpersonal relations.
對于普遍的美國人來說，時間是頭等重要的事情。對于一個外國來訪者，美國人把按時完成預先計劃的工作看得比發展深層次的人際關系更重要。
Schedules, for the American, are meant to be planned and then followed in the smallest detail.
美國人認為計劃應該事先安排好，然后細致的執行。
It may seem to you that most Americans are completely controlled by the little machines they wear on their wrists, cutting their discussions off abruptly to make it to their next appointment on time.
在你看來多數美國人完全被腕上的手表徹底操控了，他們中途突然終止討論為了按時趕上下一個預約的時間。
Americans' language is filled with references to time, giving a clear indication of how much it is valued. Time is something to be “on,” to be “kept,” “filled,” “saved,” “wasted,” “gained,” “planned,” “given,” “made the most of,” even “killed.”
美國人的語言之中充滿了對于時間的闡述，以表明究竟它具有怎樣的價值。時間可以是“準時的”、“正確的”、能“被占用”、“被節省”、“被浪費”、“被爭取”、“被計劃”、“被給予”、“使之快近”，甚至能“被消磨”。
The international visitor soon learns that it is considered very rude to be late -- even by 10 minutes -- for an appointment in America.
外賓很快了解到跟美國人會面即使遲到10分鐘也是很失禮的。
Time is so valued in America, because by considering time to be important one can clearly achieve more than if one “wastes” time and doesn't keep busy. This philosophy has proven its worth.
時間在美國很有價值，因為一個考慮到時間重要性的人可以比一個浪費時間的人擁有更大的成就。這種理念已經證明了它的價值。
It has enabled Americans to be extremely productive, and productivity itself is highly valued in America.
這使美國人極其多產，生產力本身在美國也受到高度重視。
Many American proverbs stress the value of guarding time, using it wisely, and setting and working toward specific goals. Americans believe in spending their time and energy today so that the fruits of their labor may be enjoyed at a later time.
許多美國諺語強調了守時的價值，明智的使用、設定時間，朝著指定的目標努力。美國人相信今日花費時間和精力是為了明日享用更好的勞動成果。
