Ann. 在美国公司工作的北京青年陈豪今天早上一边喝着星巴克咖啡一边看纽约时报。公司里的美籍华人Mary刚好走过他的办公室。

(Office ambience)

M：Good morning, Chen Hao. 看纽约时报呀？

陈：早，Mary，你来得正好。你看这文章说一个在纽约的年轻人因为不愿意和老板握手而被开除。拒绝跟人握手的人的确不多，仅仅因为不愿意握手而被开除？美国老板就那么小心眼？

M：那倒也不见得。不过拒绝和人握手确实是对人的一种侮辱：To refuse to shake hands is extremely insulting。

陈: 你看，报上说这人不是拒绝和老板握手，而是他不喜欢和任何人握手。

M：老板可能担心这个年轻人会用同样的态度对待客户或同事。He can't afford to have his employee insulting their clients or colleagues.

陈：我是不会拒绝跟人握手的，and I definitely don't want to be fired. Well, I have to visit a client. See you later.

M：See you.

M：哎，陈豪，回来啦？

陈：回来了。Mary，你记得我们刚才在说握手的事吗？

M：Yes. Why do you ask? 有谁拒绝跟你握手？

陈：这回是老板。他说："Mr. Chen, excuse me for not shaking your hand today. I have a bad cold and don't want to give it to anyone else."

M：噢，老板是因为他感冒而不跟你握手，生怕把病菌传给你。他这样作是很有礼貌，也很体谅别人，绝对不是要侮辱你。He's not insulting you.

陈：我可有点担心，开会的时候一直在想是不是老板对我不高兴而不跟我握手。

M：I'm sorry, I should have explained. 我应该告诉你有的时候是不能握手。比如说生病的时候，就像你老板那样。The key is to explain and apologize right away.

陈：对了，我想起来了，我爸爸有一个老朋友在二次世界大战中手臂受了伤，连拿笔和筷子都不方便，所以他也没法和人握手。

M：对，我表哥上星期去滑雪，把手腕骨摔断了，还挂上了绷带。他当然没法握手。

但是在这种情况下，必须马上解释和道歉：an apology and explanation should be offered immediately.

陈: 那就是说，除了生病或受伤，在一般情况下都不能拒绝和别人握手，对吗？

M：You're right! Exchanging handshakes is a vital part of doing business. Refusing to shake hands is an insult. If you are unable to shake hands because of illness or injury, apologize and explain immediately.

陈：Thank you Mary. Let's shake hands!