2006年NPR美国国家公共电台二月-Loving You, But Not In That Way

Now today's Unger report. The Valentine's Day clock is ticking down friends. Supplies of roses and chocolate / hearts, and restaurant reservations. All these are dwindling¹. And here to help with none of it ,is Brian Unger.

Tomorrow is the one day of the year in which couples in love are required by Hallmark (gift, card retailer) to say to one another: yes, it's true. I actually do love you. Here is a card, some flowers. Let's go eat a steak in the shape of a heart. This simple restorative ritual suspends for just one day the fear that we've wound up with the completely wrong person. But for far too long, boyfriends, girlfriends and married people have had a stranglehold on Valentine's Day. It's as if Hallmark's high holiday has been reserved for only the in-love. A day of consummation, not communion. Because if you are not sharing a bed, you are not welcome.

In 2006, isn't it time to allow everyone to participate in the Valentine tradition. To say: hey, I love you. But not in that way. Because for many, best friends are spouses³, family are most cherished love ones and yet for best friends, there is no holiday celebrating their partnership⁴ and how deeply they care for each other. None bed sharers make tomorrow your day to tell someone you don't love in that way that you love them. Here is how to say it without them freaking out.

Guys, you can't give your best friends chocolates or flowers. Instead, for Valentine's Day, get his car detailed⁵. You know how we likes it. Or give him a card that says: hey, I love your tie. But at somewhere, hope my girlfriend gets me one just like it. Men can also give a buddy⁶ of the office a Valentine greeting. He'll never hear from his girlfriend or wife. I love your work. Happy Valentine's Day. As a more daring gesture, gentlemen, a bit of the bar goes a long way. Roses are red, violets are blue. Hey, I'm not gay, but dude, I love you.

Ladies, there is always putting pen to paper with those three little words every woman loves to hear: your shoes rock. Or still, even more affectionate without any sexual overtones: Oh my god, I love your hair.

On Valentine's Day, tell her something she'll never hear from a guy. Like, hey, let's get a map or you were right.

Send your boss a Valentine. Send your letter-carrier a Valentine or soldier heck ,send the president a Valentine that says, I love you, sir, for not eavesdropping⁷ on me. This Valentine's Day let your voice be heard. Even if you have no Valentine, no friends, let alone a spouse², aim Cupid's arrow at anyone. It might feel strange but it'll hurt less than a chest full of birdshot.

And that is today's Unger report, I'm Brian Unger. I love you, Alex.

1 dwindling   

adj.逐渐减少的v.逐渐变少或变小( dwindle的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• The number of wild animals on the earth is dwindling. 地球上野生动物的数量正日渐减少。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He is struggling to come to terms with his dwindling authority. 他正努力适应自己权力被削弱这一局面。 来自辞典例句

2 spouse   

n.配偶(指夫或妻)

参考例句：

• Her spouse will come to see her on Sunday.她的丈夫星期天要来看她。
• What is the best way to keep your spouse happy in the marriage?在婚姻中保持配偶幸福的最好方法是什么？

3 spouses   

n.配偶，夫或妻( spouse的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Jobs are available for spouses on campus and in the community. 校园里和社区里有配偶可做的工作。 来自辞典例句
• An astonishing number of spouses-most particularly in the upper-income brackets-have no close notion of their husbands'paychecks. 相当大一部分妇女——特别在高收入阶层——并不很了解他们丈夫的薪金。 来自辞典例句

4 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

5 detailed   

adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的

参考例句：

• He had made a detailed study of the terrain.他对地形作了缜密的研究。
• A detailed list of our publications is available on request.我们的出版物有一份详细的目录备索。

6 buddy   

n.（美口）密友，伙伴

参考例句：

• Calm down,buddy.What's the trouble?压压气，老兄。有什么麻烦吗？
• Get out of my way,buddy!别挡道了，你这家伙！

7 eavesdropping   

n. 偷听

参考例句：

• We caught him eavesdropping outside the window. 我们撞见他正在窗外偷听。
• Suddenly the kids,who had been eavesdropping,flew into the room. 突然间，一直在偷听的孩子们飞进屋来。