精彩对白之一：It's not just about the hair. I'm mad because maybe she's right. And it's exhausting having to try to be perfect all the time. That's how I held it together ever since I was a kid. I figured nothing - nothing bad would happen again if I was just...one step ahead of everything and everybody, all the time.

精彩对白之二：Life isn't perfect, hon. It's messy.

精彩对白之三：No, you don't. No, you don't have to be perfect. I've always wanted a human wife. Yeah, the other ones are just...too hard to inflate.

完美主义 Perfectionism

Perfectionism, in psychology, is a belief that perfection can and should be attained. In its pathological form, perfectionism is a belief that work or output that is anything less than perfect is unacceptable. At such levels, this is considered an unhealthy belief, and psychologists typically refer to such individuals as maladaptive perfectionists.

According to Mallinger and DeWyze, perfectionists are obsessives who need to feel in control at all times to protect themselves and ensure their own safety. By being constantly vigilant and trying extremely hard, they can ensure that they not only fail to disappoint or are beyond reproach but that they can protect against unforeseen issues.

Perfectionists may be workaholics who cannot relax; people who reproach themselves for days after the smallest error, such as a word out of place; the person so intent on finding the perfect mate that they never settle down; the procrastinator; the finicky person; and so on. Perfectionists tend to be exceptionally sensitive to criticism.

Perfectionists often exhibit some or all of the following personality traits: emotional guardedness; a need for control; fear of making mistakes or errors; thrift; need to be above criticism; tendency to be stubborn or confrontational; and so on.

Perfectionism can drive people to accomplishments and provide the motivation to persevere in the face of discouragement and obstacles. Roedell argues, "In a positive form, perfectionism can provide the driving energy which leads to great achievement. The meticulous attention to detail, necessary for scientific investigation, the commitment which pushes composers to keep working until the music realises the glorious sounds playing in the imagination, and the persistence which keeps great artists at their easels until their creation matches their conception all result from perfectionism."

In its pathological form, perfectionism can be very damaging. It can take the form of procrastination when it is used to postpone tasks ("I can't start my project until I know the 'right' way to do it."), and self-deprecation when it is used to excuse poor performance or to seek sympathy and affirmation from other people ("I can't believe I don't know how to reach my own goals. I must be stupid; how else could I not be able to do this?").

In the workplace, perfectionism is often marked by low productivity as individuals lose time and energy on small irrelevant details of larger projects or mundane daily activities. This can lead to depression, alienated colleagues, and a greater risk of accidents.

Adderholt-Elliot describes five characteristics of perfectionist students and teachers which contribute to underachievement: procrastination, fear of failure, the all-or-nothing mindset, paralysed perfectionism, and workaholism. In intimate relationships, unrealistic expectations can cause significant dissatisfaction for both partners. Perfectionists may sacrifice family and social activities in the quest for their goals. Perfectionists can suffer anxiety and low self-esteem.

Therapists attempt to tackle the negative thinking that surrounds perfectionism, in particular the "all-or-nothing" thinking in which the client believes that an achievement is either perfect or useless. They encourage clients to set realistic goals and to face their fear of failure.

考考你

1. 百货公司的经理已被降职到地下室里去卖小百货。

2. 别用你那双脏手碰我！

3. 他在战争期间的功绩平平，却被吹捧到大智大勇的程度。

4. 他开始大发脾气。

5. 他从她的眼光里看出轻蔑的意味。

Bride Wars《结婚大作战》精讲之四 参考答案

1. It's never wise to take sides in someone else's family quarrel.

2. There isn't a smidge of truth in this rumour.

3. It takes a bit of nerve to transport explosives.

4. He came up with good ideas for the product promotion.

精彩对白之一：It's not just about the hair. I'm mad because maybe she's right. And it's exhausting having to try to be perfect all the time. That's how I held it together ever since I was a kid. I figured nothing - nothing bad would happen again if I was just...one step ahead of everything and everybody, all the time.

精彩对白之二：Life isn't perfect, hon. It's messy.

精彩对白之三：No, you don't. No, you don't have to be perfect. I've always wanted a human wife. Yeah, the other ones are just...too hard to inflate.

（中国日报网英语点津：陈丹妮）

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