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Thread: Westerners' Euphemistic Tactics

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[quote=GUEST1840,270916]Westerners pay much attention to conversational tactics. The well-educated westerners bear “coutesy” in their mind. In Asian people’s eyes, westerners might be too poilite and they are not direct. The subsequent is some expressions of western coutesy: 
1．  “Compliment first” then “ but “ 
“But” is frequently used by westerners.   Westerners seldom reply to others’ advices and suggestions immediately after the suggestions are put forward. If they don’t want to adopt the advice, they still respond to you very politely: “You have a wonderful idea，but have you thought of it another way﹖” 
2. Euphemistically decline invitation
Thank you for asking，but I have to do something else tonight． /Let me think about it．
 Resolve embarrassment in a phlegmatic manner
When westerners confront an embarrassment, they dispel the embarrassment calmly. 
1.If their superiors grumbles: you did not finish the work when you were supposed to, the subordinates will answer: Yes，I forgot． I need to make sure I remember it next time．
2. When westerners make mistakes, they would say:” I goofed it”. 
3.  When westerners are clumsy at some things, they will utter: “Gracious，I seem to be having a hard time”. 
4. While a student was late and was interrogated by his teacher, he answers: you are right． I need to allow myself more time next time．” 
5.  If a student talks in his teacher’s class without permission, he would excuse:I will remember next time when I have something to say.
6. When others make mistakes, the usual comforting words:  Don't worry，this happens sometimes．”
Other euphemism: 
Homely (ugly)
heavy-set ( Fat) 
homemaker (housewife)
Some of the expressions are somewhat “hypocritical” in Chinese understanding. Anyhow, they are western ways of being polite. 
[/quote]

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