文化面面观：美国国庆风俗

考考你：小试牛刀

影片对白：

Annie: Okay, Mrs. X, now it's time for a few simple childcare rules.

Host of discussion: Oh, all right. The teddy bear has been compromised.

Annie: Slamming the door in your kid's face is not okay. Spending more time on a benefit for kids you've never met than you do with your own blood is not okay. Going to a spa when your son has a fever of 104 and not answering emergency calls, that officially makes you an unfit mother.

Mrs. X: This is outrageous. Stop the tape.

Host of discussion: Uh, no, this is clearly a disgruntled nanny. We...we might have something to learn here.

Annie: Yeah, I know that you're really busy with your hair appointments and your Watsu massages and your attempts to stay young so your husband won't leave you, but here's an idea...why don't you try eating dinner with your child every once in a blue moon? And a head's up here, lady. Try smiling once in a while. People hate you! As for you, Mr. X, who the hell are you? Maybe you're asking the same about me. I know you've noticed my ass, but you probably don't recognize my face, so here's a little hint, okay? I'm the one who's been raising your son. Grayer is not an accessory. His mother didn't order him from a catalogue.Your son, your wife, are...are...are people in your home, human beings who are drowning in their desire for you to just...for you to look at them. You know, the truth is, I don't wish either of you harm. If for no other reason than you having the profound privilege of being Grayer's parents. Grayer loves you. He...he doesn't care what you're wearing or what you buy him or what school he gets into. He just...he just wants you there. That's it. And time's running out, and he won't love you unconditionally that much longer. So...for your own good, don't miss out on getting to know him. He is...he's truly an amazing amazing little person.

Mrs. X: Excuse me.

Host of discussion: Of course.

妙语佳句，活学活用

1. slam the door in sb.'s face: 拒绝见某人；拒绝同某人谈话。在影片中Annie指Mrs. X很少花时间与儿子相处，几乎不和儿子交流。请看例子：

The workers asked for only a small increase in pay, but the boss just slammed the door in their faces.

工人只要求增加少量工资，但老板就是拒绝同他们谈判。

slam the door in sb.'s face还有“让某人吃闭门羹，把某人拒之门外”的意思。

例如：He backed away and in that split second she slammed the door in his face.

他往后退去，就在这一刹那，她砰地把他关在门外了。

2. spa: （提供蒸汽浴、按摩等的）健康美容中心。Annie认为Mrs. X是个不称职的母亲，因为在Grayer发高烧的时候她还有心情去享受蒸汽浴。spa还有“矿泉疗养地”的意思。

3. disgruntled: 不满的，不高兴的。例如：disgruntled spectators（不满的观众）；an disgruntled expression（愠色）。

4. Watsu massage: 漂浮指压按摩。把水中飘浮与节奏相结合的伸展四肢的治疗方法。目的是增加身体的柔韧度和放松身心。

5. every once in a blue moon: 相当于every now and then，不时，间或，偶尔。影片中Annie让Mrs. X偶尔和Grayer一起吃吃饭。

例如：John comes to visit me every once in a blue moon.约翰不时地会来看我。

once in a blue moon是“偶尔、罕见”，例如：

This is a chance once in a blue moon. 这可是个难得的机会。

6. accessory: 附属品，附加物。Annie希望X夫妇能够多关注一下Grayer，不要把他当作多余的东西。accessory在生活中很常见，例如：

A cigar-lighter is an accessory to a car.点烟器是汽车的一种附件。

accessory还可以指妇女的装饰品，在这种用法中多用复数形式，例如：

She often wears accessories such as a diamond bracelet, a necklace and earings.

她常常戴钻石手镯、项链、耳环等一类首饰。

文化面面观：美国国庆风俗

考考你：小试牛刀