Just as the degree of individual freedom that exists in America seems loose and therefore uncomfortable to many visitors . In many countries , people will tell you　what they think you want to here , whether or not it is true. To them , this is the polite thing to do. To Americans it is considered confusing -even dishonest -to avoid telling the true facts. even if avoiding the truth is done only to be polite . It is helpful to remember that different cultures consider some matters more important than others . Wit Americans , however, trust and truth are most important. One of the worst tings that can be said about someone in America is that " you cannot trust him"

　　　　Considering such differences in values among the many cultures of the world , it is natural that misunderstandings [1] will occur . "How far is it to the next town ?" an American asks a man standing by the edge of a road . In some countries , because the man realizes the traveler is tired and eager to reach the next village, he will politely say , ' Just down　the road ". e thinks this is more encouraging ., gentler , and therefore the answer the traveler wants to hear. So the American drives alone for many more hours before he comes to the village. The traveler is angry , feeling "tricked". He thinks that the man has purposely lied to him because he must have know quite will well what the distance was.
　　　　If a visitor to the United States asked an American standing at the edge of a road how far the next town was, the American would think it dishonest if he said it was near when he knew it was really 24 miles away. Although he , too , would be sympathetic with the tired traveler , he would say, "You have a long way to go yet ; it is at least 24 miles more. " The traveler　might be disappointed , but he would know what to expect, and there would be no misunderstanding.

[1] misunderstanding　　　　n. 误会, 误解


Excerpted　from " A Guide to U.S.A. ", edited by Li Yang, Li Yi, published by Foreign Language　Teaching and Research Press.

[1]