基础英语轻松学：美国人的“洁癖”

　　There used to be an old joke in America that people should take a bath once a week, whether they need one or not. In fact, though, Americans generally take a bath-or more commonly（通常地）, a shower-every day. But in contrast to some cultures, most Americans get their shower in the morning, so they can start the day fresh（精力充沛的）. And instead of going to a beauty parlor（美容院） for a shampoo（洗头）, many Americans prefer to wash and style their own hair. So if Americans have a "bad hair day," they have no one to blame but themselves.

　　Americans are known for having very sensitive（灵敏的） noses. In America, "B.O." （body odor） is socially unacceptable. For that reason, Americans consider the use of deodorant（防臭剂） or anti-perspirant（止汗露） a must. Ladies often add a touch of perfume（香水） for an extra fresh scent（气味）. Men may splash on（喷洒） after-shave lotion（化妆水） or manly-smelling cologne（古龙水）. Another cultural no-no in America is bad breath. Americans don't like to smell what other people ate for lunch-especially onions or garlic. Their solution? Mouthwash, breath mints and even brushing their teeth after meals.

　　Americans put great value on both grooming（打扮） and personal hygiene（个人卫生）. For some people, taking care of themselves has become almost a religion. As the old saying goes, "Cleanliness is next to godliness（神圣）." Whether or not being clean and well-groomed brings one closer to God, it certainly brings one closer to others.

　　「读书笔记」

　　以前在美国有一个老笑话，说不管人们需不需要，（whether they need one or not）他们至少每个礼拜该洗一次澡。（that people should take a bath once a week）不过事实上，美国人每天会洗一次澡，或者更普遍的作法是每天淋浴一次。（Americans generally take a bath-or more commonly, a shower-every day）但是不同于某些文化习惯的是，（in contrast to some cultures）美国人在清晨淋浴，以使他们展开清新的一天。（they can start the day fresh）而且美国人不上美容院去洗头，（instead of going to a beauty parlor for a shampoo）他们宁可自己洗头和整理发型。（many Americans prefer to wash and style their own hair）所以美国人如果有了“丑发型的一天”，（if Americans have a "bad hair day,"）除了怪自己之外就没什么好抱怨的了。（bad hair day暗示“无缘无故地心情不好”）

　　Bath意为“浴缸、澡盆”，所以take a bath就是用“盆浴”洗澡，此外，bath还可以表示“洗澡水”，比如：

　　The bath is too hot.
　　洗澡水太烫了。

　　shower有“一阵雨、冰雹”的意思，所以“淋浴”就是take a shower.比如：

　　I take a cold shower every day.
　　我每天用冷水淋浴。

　　美国人的鼻子是出了名的灵。（sensitive noses）在美国，体臭（"B.O." body odor）在社交上是不被接受的。因此，美国人会认为使用除臭剂或止汗剂是必须的。（Americans consider the use of deodorant or anti-perspirant a must）女士们通常会再抹点香水以增加清香；（Ladies often add a touch of perfume for an extra fresh scent）男士则拍一些刮胡水或是男性古龙水在脸上。（splash on after-shave lotion or manly-smelling cologne）在美国文化里的另一项禁忌是口臭。（bad breath）美国人不喜欢闻别人午餐后留在口中的味道,（Americans don't like to smell what other people ate for lunch）尤其是洋葱（onions）或大蒜。（garlic）他们怎么解决这问题呢？（Their solution?）漱口、（Mouthwash）吃薄荷糖、（breath mints）甚至饭后刷牙。（even brushing their teeth after meals）

　　no-no：这是个美国俚语，意为“被禁止的东西，不准干的事”，比如在语言的惯用法中总有一些禁忌no-nos about language usage，我们一定要加以注意哟。

　　美国人非常看重仪容整洁与个人卫生。（personal hygiene）对某些人而言，打理自己几乎成了一种信仰，（a religion）如一句古老的谚语说：清洁是仅次于圣洁第二重要的事。（Cleanliness is next to godliness）不管整齐清洁是不是能使人更接近上帝，（Whether or not being clean and well-groomed brings one closer to God）但它的确能拉近与人的距离。（it certainly brings one closer to others）

　　「句型留言板」

　　in contrast to/with

　　意为"和……形成对比（相反），比较起来"，相比较的两者，一般都会形成鲜明的对照。比如：

　　His white hair was in sharp contrast to （with） his dark skin.
　　他的白头发和他的黑皮肤形成了鲜明的对照。

　　In contrast to his brother, he was always considerate in his treatment of others.
　　与他的兄弟不同，他在处理和别人的关系时总是很周到。

　　这里，在介绍一个和此句型类似的用法，by contrast"对比起来，与之相比".但要注意，这个用法通常放在句首，用作状语。比如：

　　By contrast, John is much more hard working than Bob.
　　相比之下，约翰要比鲍勃刻苦得多。

　　今天的节目里，我们讲的是美国人的清洁习惯，请大家记住一个非常有用的句型in contrast to/with，“和……形成对比”。

　　希望大家喜欢这篇文章，我们下次再见！