Don't rain on parade of others_其他_趣味英语-查字典英语网

Don't rain on parade of others

In the West, a big crowd is fertile land for attention grabbing. You can crash parties and make mischief. In China, when the host is throwing a big party, others go along. Etiquette demands that guests refrain from outrageous behavior that may upset the host. For example, creditors are not supposed to collect their debts during the Lunar New Year celebration. What if the debts are due during that period? Well, you wait till later.

The Beijing Olympics is like a wedding. Neighbors do not show up to conduct business, but to celebrate. What do you do at your neighbor's or friend's wedding? Even if the host is your enemy, you will probably hide your hostility and be a good sport. That is what people with good manners do. It does not mean people do not have differences, but that they know this is not the occasion to touch upon these differences.

What if you have to give voice to these differences? Well, there are the three parks designated for holding protests and you can apply according to the rules. But I advise against it. If you want solutions to legitimate problems, you do not offend the other party first by spoiling his party. That will only make a mutually acceptable solution less likely. Besides, what is so urgent you cannot wait for a few weeks?

Some believe that China is "weak" because the whole world is watching and therefore it is the best time to, not just talk, but shout and yell. Unless making a dramatic gesture is your only goal, this would be a terrible tactic usually taken by those with little knowledge of cultural nuances. What we Chinese call "face" the West calls "respect", and if there is one such occasion this is the one that calls for respect. It is not just the government or a few organizations that you will rub the wrong way, but you will hurt the feelings of all Chinese people. Okay, that sounds like a clich, let me rephrase it: Don't rain on our parade. Thank you, Barbra Streisand, for the inspiration.