美国缅因州：一个遍布“免费”的地方_大学英语阅读

美国缅因州：一个遍布“免费”的地方

在美国缅因州，人们习惯于把家中用不着的囤货置于路边，立上块“免费拿取”的小牌子。且不说在这些二手货中常常能淘到好东西，光“免费”二字就很是抓人眼球，令人心头痒痒。为此，我时不时扛一些不一定有用的东西回家。孩子问：“我们已经有了，为什么还要?”我不假思索地回答：“因为这是免费的啊!”

As I drive the byways of Maine, especially during these long, lovely summer months, I cannot help but notice the various castings-off that people place curbside, all appended with one seemingly irresistible word—FREE!

In this state noted for its ethic of sufficiency, it is a singular joy to get rid of stuff that one no longer needs. But it is also fascinating to observe the jetsam of other households. Here is a short list of what I have seen by the side of the road on a representative weekend:

Computer desk

Computer (with accompanying sign: IT WORKS!)

Perfectly good wheel and tire

Bicycle

Kitchen cupboards

Snowboard (with bindings)

Washing machine

Skylight

Guitar

So why do many people throw away serviceable, and often valuable, things? I mean, why don’t they just try to sell them? I think the answer is also tied in with the Maine ethic of keeping it simple: It’s easier to give something away than to go through the trouble of advertising and then fielding phone calls, followed by the inevitable dickering. But I also think there is the subtle joy of seeing an item retrieved by someone we presume can use it.