賴世雄高級美國英語教程Unit 31 The Fine Art of Giving

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Hi, everybody. Welcome again to Radio English on Sunday.
This is Bruce,
/ and this is Peter.
/ Today we're on page two hundred sixty with you, unit thirty one, The Fine Art of Giving.
/ Fine art, 本來有美術的意思，
/ Let's find out how to give to others in today's article. We'll read through the first paragraph which is a situation, which will help us to understand how (nopt) to give.

本 Pan 聽寫的賴世雄高級美語網(wǎng)上首發(fā)https://www.mypda.com.cn https://www.mypda.com.cn/forum/boardlist.asp?id=18 />

Ralph is all excited. When his poor wife Lisa comes home after a hard day's work in the office, he enters the living room beaming, "Happy birthday, Darling!" he exclaims while thrusting the neatly packed gift at her. Momentarily delighted as she quickly unwraps the package, Lisa murmurs, "oh, Ralph, I thought you'd forget my birthday again this year. Gee, thanks, sweet..." Her voice trails off as she lifts the cover of the box to disclose its contents: steak knives. Ralph, still beaming, then pulls the trigger of the rifle aimed at his own foot: I bought some steaks, so you can use your new birthday gift to get us dinner ready!"

/ Oh, what a husband!
/ haha
/ Actually, "Ralph" here should be Peter, but these are real people that we know and love. Well, Ralph is the kind of person who will (find) something really for himself, but he thinks that he is buying it for somebody else. And the situation is, Lisa of course is not too pleased to get some kitchen utensils as her personal birthday gift. Because as she has finished (it the paragraph), she will simply have to do more work. Is this a real gift? Is this the art of giving? (Well, stay tune) and will let you know.
/ kitchen utensils.
pot, 鍋子，但常常呢我們中國人炒菜的鍋子叫wok, 鏟子叫 spatula,

Well, let's continue and find out what happens to Ralph and Lisa.

Most women, of course, would use the knives on Ralph, not the steaks. What did poor Ralph do wrong? He certainly meant well; he noted his wife's birthday carefully, sacrificed time and money to buy a gift on time, and even had the box gift wrapped. Where did he go wrong? Long before Ralph bought the knives, he should have paid more attention to those things Lisa expressed or showed an interest in. While walking or shopping, many people notice things that obviously interest them. This is the time to make a mental note of what of what those items are for future purchase. While talking, too, many people reveal "wish list" items they dream of having. Noting these items and turning them into gifts at a later time, whether for a Christmas, birthday, anniversary, graduation, or any other important occasion, distinguishes just another item on the shelf in a department store or a in a catalogue from the perfect gift.

So, let's find out what happens here. Ralph was thinking the right way, that is he cares for his wife, he loves his wife and wants to give her something, but he didn't pay attention to what she wanted. He thought steak knives was a great idea because that's what he wanted. But if he had listened more carefully during the year, as his wife was watching TV, looking at the newspaper or just chatting, either with him or her friends, he might have paid attention and noticed that she said something like, "oh, I wish I could have one of those" or "isn't that cute? Wouldn't it be nice to have one of those?" to her friends or even to herself or to Ralph. At this time, we should pay attention and make a mental note of. In other words, we should "uhh-hah" , I am not going to say anything but I am going to remember this, when I get home I am going to write it down; when I have some free time, I'll go back to that store and buy it, and hide it, and then for her birthday, or anniversary or Christmas, I'll have the gift ready. If you do this, you've got the perfect gift.
/ make a mental note of something, 看到什么東西馬上記在腦海里頭， take notes, 記錄，摘記，you should take notes in class.
但如果講take note + of, 代表“要注意”的意思， Hey, you should take note of this behavior.
take heed of, take notice of,
I meant well, 我原來是好心耶，...I didn't mean to hurt you, I meant well, don't misunderstand me.

Gifts do not have to be objects. 7:15 Doing house chores for parents or spouses which normally are theirs, taking someone out on the town or wheeling an invalid round the block, or taking the time and effort to create one's own personalized handicraft can bring smiles as wide as those aroused by the giving of expensive presents. Many a child would prefer to have an afternoon at the cinema, and an evening in their favorite restaurant with Dad than another of his expensive gifts, some with the price tag still on them. Many parents would rather happily settle for a full day with their children at home or on a picnic than with a mail check or happy birthday greeting on their answering machine. Perhaps the expression "time is money" really is true. Time spent with those who we do not often see is indeed precious. Sacrificing time from one's busy schedule to give to another is often more meaningful than a pricy gift from an upscale department store.

___________upscale,
Of, intended for, or relating to high-income consumers:
高消費的，高級的高消費階層的，為高消費階層服務的：
an upscale neighborhood; upscale fashions.
高消費階層居住區(qū)；高級時裝

This whole paragraph tells us that not all gifts can be bought, not all gifts are things. Now you can buy things, you can buy your gifts or you can make your gifts, but sometimes doing things for other people can be a gift. Helping them out with their work or in a case of someone who is an invalid, just spending some time with them. Passing the time with an older person is a kind of gift, too. Many kids don't really need another gift than even if they get an expensive gift, it might make them happy for a day or two, but then they'll forget all about it. Whereas if you take the time to, spend time with your kids, or with your loved ones even doing simple things, those memories usually last a much long time because they are more meaningful. So don't worry when anniversary or birthday or some other holiday comes around, "uhh-ohh", I don't have a lot of money right now, what kind of gift should I buy? Well, you can really think gift giving, it doesn't have to be a pricy gift or expensive gift from an expensive department store.
/ What about this? I don't see ..with you, I'd like you ..things, I want ..object, you know, for my birthday stead of abstract things, ok.
/ I know. Diamond ring,
/ yeah.
/ VNW ..simple things..simple things.
/ ..it is the thought that counts.
/ I well, I tried that with my last girlfriend. ..and it didn't work--again.

Let's go ahead.

Of course there is nothing wrong with buying gifts; everyone has needs, including material needs. Close friends or family members often know what their loved ones need even before they do. Few compliments can make us happier than "you always know what to give me." For those who never seem to know what to prepare for others but who would like to learn, observing this successful giving of gifts to others is as good place to start as any. In any class, family or crowd, someone always seems to know their right gift to give at the right time. Making mental notes of these occasions and then write them down in a special note book can make the difference between a future present, well-received, and one politely accepted.

I think we are here, 倒數(shù)第二行，crowd, here does not mean a crowd of strangers or a lot of people at the train station, for example. Here "crowd" means "my crowd", means my groups of friends, the people I usually hang out with, or people I usually do things with.
/ 我那些死黨的意思。
Few compliments can make us happier than ...這里compliment是名詞，這個字也可以作動詞用。
to compliment someone on something, 一定要用on 連。
/ We complimented Peter on his new T shirt at the wedding.
/ 還有一個字，congratulate someone + on something的用法， 也是要跟on連。
/ We congratulated him on passing the test.

Ok, let's finish up with our concluding paragraph. 15:30

Still, only a social incompetent would criticize or refuse a gift from another. Being gracious even in disappointment is a sign of good manners. Besides, a gift is an expression of thoughtfulness and a token of love. We should never question the judgement of the donor, instead, as we say in English, it's the thought that counts. Learning to appreciate whatever little surprises life prepares for us is a sure sign of maturity and poise. When the giving of symbols of our appreciation and love to others becomes an art form to the giver, these profound words can be understood: It is more blessed to give than to receive.

So here we find that, again, when giving a gift, it's the thought that counts, it's your intention. If you mean well, the person to whom you give the gift should appreciate it, even if they don't really need or even watch your gift, they should be thankful for your idea. Still, it's better to give gifts, whether they are things that are bought, or made or just time spent with other people, knowing that the person who receive them really wants or needs them. So, be thoughtful when giving a gift. Don't just run out to a department store, and find something that you like. You should know the people to whom you are giving gifts, and care about them enough to pay attention to their wants and needs. That's really what this whole article is reminding us.
/incompetent, 在這段里是當名詞來用的。當然還可以當形容詞用。He is incompetent, he is competent, -> he is able to handle that problem or to do that work, then we say he is competent. If he can't do anything well, then we say he's incompetent.
還有一個很不錯的用法，he is cut out for that work, to be cut out for that job as a teacher.
____be cut out for
有做某事的天賦; 適合于; 與...相配合

token, 一般是玩電子游戲時丟的銅板，代幣，但在 as a token of ...中的意思卻不是這樣。
/ our appreciation,
/ ..I will give you this ring...I will give you this meat ring as a token of my love.
這個時候 as a token of...就等于 as a symbol of...

appreciation, in appreciation of...
I'll give you a car,
/ thank you. :P
/ in appreciation of your help.

blessed, 這里的念法不是[blest], 而是 [blesit], 形容詞。有福氣的，如果當動詞念成 ['bles] ,　過去式分詞都是[ blest]..
/ Right. The father blessed his son at the wedding.
/ God has blessed us human beings with the ability to talk. --->to bless sb with sth.

Fine. Now let's go back and reread the final time, the fine art of giving.

upscale, --->upmarket,

_________Pan. 2003.7.

Unit 31 The Fine Art of Giving 給予的藝術

Ralph is all excited. When his poor wife Lisa comes home after a hard day's work in the office, he enters the living room beaming. "Happy birthday, darling!" he exclaims while thrusting the neatly packed gift at her. Momentarily delighted as she quickly unwraps the package, Lisa murmurs, "Oh, Ralph, I thought you'd forget my birthday again this year. Gee, thanks, sweet..." Her voice trails off as shelifts the cover of the bex to disclose its contents: steak knives. Ralph, still beaming, then pulls the trigger of the rifle aimed at his own foot: "I bought some steaks, so you can use your new birthday gift to get us dinner ready!"
Most women, of course, would use the new knives on Ralph, not the steaks. What did poor Ralph do wrong? He certainly meant well. He noted his wife's birthday carefully, sacrificed time and money to buy a gift on time, and even had the box gift wrapped. Where did he go wrong? Long before Ralph bought the knives, he should have paid more attention to those things Lisa expressed or showed an interest in. While walking or shopping, many people notice things that obviously interest them; this is the time to make a mental note of what those items are for future purchase. While talking, too, many people reveal "wish list" items they dream of having. Noting these tiems and turning them into gifts at a later time, whether for Christmas, birthday, anniversary, graduation, or any other important occasion, distinguishes just another item on a shelf in a department store or in a catalogue from "the perfect gift".
Gifts do not have to be objects. Doing house chores for parents or spouses which normally are "theirs", taking someone out on the twon or wheeling an invalid around the block, or taking the time and effort to create one's own personalized handicraft can bring smiles as wide as those aroused by the giving of expensive presents. Many a child would prefer to have an afternoon at the cinema and an evening in their favorite restaurant with Dad than another of his expensive gifts, some with the price tag still on them! Many parents would rather happily settle for a full day with their children at home or on a picnic than with a mailed check or "Happy Birthday" greeting on their answering machine. Perhaps the expression "Time is money" really is true: time spent with those whom we do not often see is indeed precious. Sacrificing time from one's busy schedule to give to another is often more meaningful than a pricy gift from an upscale department store.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with buying gifts. Everyone has needs, including material needs. Close friends or family members often know what their loved ones need even before they do! Few compliments can make us happier than "you always know what to give me". For those who never seem to know what to prepare for others but who would like to learn, observing the successful giving of gifts to others is as good a place to start as any. In any class, family, or crowd, someone always seems to know the right gift to give at the right time. Making mental notes of these occasions and then writing them down in a special notebook can make the difference between a future present well-received and one politely accepted.
Still, only a social incompetent would criticize or refuse a gift from another. Being gracious even in disappointment is a sign of good manners. Besides, a gift is an expression of thoughtfullness and a token of love. We should never question the judgment of the donor; instead, as we say in English, "It's the thought that counts". Learning to appreciate whatever little surprises life prepares for us is a sure sign of maturity and poise. When the giving of symbols of our appreciation and love to others becomes an art form to the giver, these profound words can be understood: "it's more blessed to give than to receive."