Money‏

Can money buy happiness? Many Americans think so—at least they act like they do. Americans believe in the right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." And just what does the pursuit of happiness mean? For many, it means pursuing money. Success- oriented Americans often measure people's worth by how much they have. For that reason, keeping up with the Joneses has become almost a
fulltime occupation.
金錢能夠買到快樂嗎？許多美國人認
為可以——至少就他們的表現來
看，他們是這麼認為。美國人相信「生
命、自由以及追求快樂的權利。」但是
到底追求快樂的意思是什麼？對許多人
而言，它代表的是追求金錢。追求成功
的美國人常以一個人擁有的多寡來衡量
他的價值。基於這個理由，大家比來比
去幾乎成了全天候的職業。
Why do Americans emphasize money so much? Well, this “land of plenty” has long enjoyed abundant natural resources, and people have gotten used to material wealth. Besides that, Americans believe that everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. People aren't bound by social class. They can work hard and improve their status. Many immigrants have come to this land of opportunity for that reason— to seek a better future. This belief in equal opportunity has produced a spirit of competition. lt's like a race to the top of the success ladder.
為什麼美國人這麼強調金錢？嗯，
這塊「豐富之地」長久以來享受著豐富
的自然資源，而人們也習慣於豐富的物
質生活。除此之外，美國人相信每個人
都有公平的成功機會。人們不會因出身
高低而受限制。他們可以努力工作以改
變社會地位。許多移民正是為此原因而
來到這塊充滿機會的土地上——為要追求
一個更好的未來。
So what do Americans do with the money? For one thing, they have to manage it. Families often keep careful financial records. Many of them budget their income. They plan for basic expenses like housing, food, clothes, transportation and medical bills. Americans save room in their budget for fun. They spend three times as much on recreation as on education.
這個機會均等的信
念，造成了競爭的精神，它就像一場通
往成功之梯頂端的比賽一樣。
所以，美國人如何處理他們的金
錢？有一件他們必做的事是做金錢管理
的計劃。許多家庭通常會保留詳細財務
記錄。許多人根據收入做出預算。他們
計劃基本的開銷，例如住屋、食物、衣
服、交通和醫療費用等。美國人在作預
算時一定會為休閒娛樂存錢。他們花在
娛樂上的錢是花在教育上面的三倍。
Interestingly, though, “money” doesn't mean just cash—dollar bills and coins. The United States is fast becoming a cashless society. Nowadays, checks and credit cards work just as well as “real money,” if not better. A checking account has become almost a necessity for most Americans. Stores accept checks drawn on local banks as payment for purchases. People send checks through the mail as a safer alternative to sending cash.
雖然如此，有趣的是，「錢」不是
僅指現金——紙幣和銅板。美國正在快
速成為一個無現金的社會。今天，支票
和信用卡如果沒有更好用，至少也和
「真正的錢」一樣好用。大部份的美國人
已經都需要有一個支票戶頭。一般商店
會接受附近銀行的支票來付購物的款
項。人們則以較安全的寄支票方法代替
寄現金。
Credit cards symbolize American shopping habits: “Buy now, pay later. ” Loan companies—such as VISA and MasterCard—as well as gas companies and stores issue credit cards to people with a good credit record. Even teenagers have their own credit cards. This “plastic money” allows people more spending freedom. But it also gets them into a lot of debt! Moreover, just as with cash, there are still dangers from loss or theft. With checks and credit cards, Americans can be cashless, but they still
can't afford to be careless.
信用卡代表了美國人購物習慣：
「現在買，稍後付款。」貨款公司——例
如：VISA 和Master Card——以及天然瓦
斯公司和其他的商店，會對信用好的人
發給信用卡。即使是年輕人，也擁有自
己的信用卡。這種「塑膠貨幣」為人們
帶來了更大的花費自由。但是它同時也
使他們負債累累。更有甚者，正如使用
現金一樣，它們也會有丟失或遭竊的危
險。使用支票和信用卡，美國人可以不
用現金，但是卻不能毫無節制。
Even a casual observer would notice that America is a consumer society. The media bombard people with advertisements. Commercials interrupt TV and radio programs with catchy appeals to go out and buy. Shopping has almost replaced baseball as the national pastime. Still, Americans realize that life is more than having things. Volunteering and giving to charity organizations occupy part of Americans' time and money, as well. Deep down, they realize that happiness can't be bought, but it can be given away.
即使是一個非專業的觀察家，也會
留意到美國是個消費者社會。媒體中充
滿了各樣動人心弦的廣告。電視或收音
機節目常會被那些動人的讓你想出外購
買的廣告打斷。購物幾乎已經代替了棒
球而成為全國性的消遣。但是，美國人
仍然明白生活不僅只是擁有物質。做義
工以及對慈善機構的捐贈仍然佔去了美
國人部份的時間和金錢。在內心深處，
他們明白快樂不能用金錢購得，但是卻
是可以跟人分享的。
?Word Bankpursuit (n) 精通的
oriented (adj) 以⋯為導向的；以⋯為目的的
keep up with the Joneses (v phr) 在物資上和別人比較、競爭
emphasize (v) 強調
ladder (n) 進身階梯
draw (v) 支領；提取
alternative (n) 另一可選擇之事物
credit record (n phr) 信用記錄
bombard (v) 攻擊；轟炸
catchy (adj) 引誘人的；動人的
appeal (n) 吸引力

The Day's Phrase

Why does change trouble us, and what can we do about it?
為什麼改變會令我們煩惱，而又該如何應付變化呢？
My new house is beautiful. It is too good to be true!
我的新家很漂亮。真是好得令人難以置信！

When you talk in class you are just asking for trouble.
你在課堂中講話，就是在自找麻煩。

What do top executives really do?
高層主管的職責到底是什麼？
I will be in deep water if I don't clean my room.我如果不清理房間的話我就麻煩大了！

One doesn't need summer to enjoy the water!
享受戲水之樂!
It makes no difference to me where we go to eat dinner.我們去哪裡吃晚飯對來說我沒什麼差別。

Asia's biggest soccer tournament starts today
亞洲最大的足球賽事今日展開

After all the excitement dies down then maybe it will be quiet in here.
在所有的興奮之情消散後，也許這裡就會安靜了。