美國文化口語-車輛
STEVE: How did you get around over there? Did you rent cars?
ALLEN: No, that would be too expensive. We used the train system.We bought a special pass called a Eurail pass.
It lets people use the train wherever they want, as often as they want.
STEVE: I've heard about Eurail passes.So those Europeans really depend on trains a lot.
ALLEN: Yes, they do. I wish we Americans had a better train system.
STEVE: I know. Our train system is lousy.And besides, Americans love their cars too much.
ALLEN: I agree. And probably the automobile companies are too powerful.They never allowed the government to develop trains.
STEVE: It's too bad for the environment. So much pollution from cars.
ALLEN: Americans love cars for different reasons, I think.One reason is that we are very individualistic.And cars are a very individual way of getting around.Americans like the freedom of driving around by themselves.They don't want to ride in a train or bus with a group of people.
STEVE: Yes, I agree. I think it is a cultural characteristic.It would be very hard to get us Americans to change this.But you know what? Probably, in the future, Americans will have to change.
ALLEN: Why do you say "have to"?
STEVE: Because the earth's environment can't tolerate cars forever.I think cars are already causing global warming.When the problem gets more serious, world governments will have to start limiting car use.
ALLEN: Maybe you're right. They will have to develop alternative transportation.But it will be hard in America. Too many people are used to cars.Even in our movies cars are very important.
STEVE: Wow! I didn't notice the time.It's almost noon. I have to get home.
ALLEN: Do you want me to give you a ride?
STEVE: No, no problem. I have my car in the parking ramp around the corner.
ALLEN: Alright.Well, I'll stay here and have another coffee. Nice running into you.
STEVE: See you around.
史提夫：在那里你怎么樣到處逛？租車子嗎？
艾倫：沒有，那太貴了，我們搭火車。我們買了一種特殊的“歐鐵通行證”?？梢宰屓穗S時想去哪兒就去哪兒。
史提夫：我聽說過“歐鐵通行證”。那么歐洲人很依賴火車了？
艾倫：是的，但愿我們美國能有更好的鐵路系統(tǒng)。
史提夫：我知道，我們的鐵路系統(tǒng)糟透了。除此之外，美國人太愛開車。
艾倫：我同意。也許汽車公司太強勢。它們絕不允許政府開發(fā)鐵路。
史提夫：這對環(huán)境很糟糕，汽車制造很多污染。
艾倫：我想美國人喜歡開車有不同的理由，其中之一是非常個人主義。而開車是很個人化的行動方式，美國人喜歡自己開車到處走的自由。他們不喜歡和一大群人一塊兒搭火車或公車。
史提夫：我同意，這是文化特質(zhì)。要我們美國人改變是很困難的。但是你知道嗎，或許將來美國人不得不改變。
艾倫：為什么你說“不得不”呢？
史提夫：因為地球環(huán)境無法永遠(yuǎn)容忍汽車。汽車已經(jīng)引起全球溫室效應(yīng)。當(dāng)問題更嚴(yán)重時，全世界的政府都必須開始限制車輛的使用。
艾倫：也許你說得對，它們必須開發(fā)其他的交通工具。但是在美國很困難，太多人都習(xí)慣開車。甚至在電影中，汽車也很重要。
史提夫：哇！我沒注意到時間?？熘形缌耍冶仨毣丶?。
艾倫：要我開車送你嗎？
史提夫：沒關(guān)系，我的車就停在轉(zhuǎn)角的停車坡路上。
艾倫：好的。我要待在這里再喝杯咖啡，很高興碰到你。
史提夫：回頭見。
