影片对白 I thank God "Our Little Harmonica"
doesn't seem to have that problem.
思想火花 偏心的父母
考考你 一展身手
4. It's an expression.
意思是“只是说说而已。”用在不经意讲错话而对方较真的时候表示修正。例如：
-I bet you can't beat me.
-Ok, a
thousand dollars a game.
-Come on, it's just an expression.
--我打赌你赢不了我。
--好，一千美元一局。
--算了吧，我就随便说说而已。
5. shoot for the stars
意思是“有远大抱负，干大事。”例如：When it comes to pursuing professional goals, Miss Brown
likes to shoot for the stars, which is why she became an intern at the White
House. 在事业方面，布朗小姐是有远大抱负的人，这也是她为什么在白宫实习的原因。电影中的There are people like Ross who
need to shoot for the stars, with his museum, and his papers getting
published.意思是“有些人需要干大事，比如罗斯，在博物馆工作，还发表了文章。”
文化面面观
美国人结婚的花费
Who pays for what nowadays is a common question.
Traditionally in the past the bride's family has paid for the entire wedding and
reception, with the knowledge and understanding that the wedding ought to be
kept within their family budget. This practice is still followed today. On the
other hand, it is also not unusual nowadays, for the groom's family to sometimes
offer to help share some of the expenses, if they wish, such as the cost of
flowers, liquor or music. This offer may be accepted or, if the bride's family
prefers to have a simpler, affordable wedding within their limited budget, it is
their privilege to kindly reject the offer.
In addition to the above examples, more and more couples today tend to plan
and save to pay entirely for the cost of their own wedding. In this case the
wedding invitations are sent out in their own names, unless, as in some
circumstances, they wish to give their parents the courtesy of issuing the
invitation.
The groom and his family are responsible for the following expenses: The
bride's engagement and wedding ring, his wedding attire, his doctor's visit and
blood test, the marriage license, the clergyman's fee or donation, gifts for the
best man and ushers, boutonnieres for the groom and ushers and sometimes the
bridal bouquet, going away corsage, etc., unless the bride chooses to include
them in her florist's order. Whether to give a bachelor dinner is optional. A
rehearsal dinner is customary. Honeymoon expenses, if planned.
Bridesmaid's expenses include: Purchase of bridesmaid's dresses, shoes and
all accessories, transportation to and from the location of the wedding, an
individual gift to the couple, a shower, luncheon for the bride, or a co-ed
party may be shared.
Guest's expenses include: The groom's parents pay for their own
transportation and lodgings as do out-of-town guests. Parents of the bride and
groom may help in securing accommodations for the bridesmaids and ushers in the
home of friends, or they may offer to pay any expenses they may care to assume.
在美国，传统上婚礼和招待的费用由新娘父母负责。新郎父母可能会向亲家提出分担一些，但是有时候会被拒绝。现在一些新婚夫妇选择自己负责婚礼费用，但很多时候还是会以父母的名义发请贴。新郎父母的支出包括给新娘的戒指以及新郎的一应花费。在美国伴娘和客人的费用一般由自己负担，有时候新婚夫妇的父母也会帮助解决。在正式的婚礼前一般会有彩排宴会。本选段中提到Rachel的父母为她的婚礼花费了4万美元指的就是上述习俗。
