《英语流行话题阅读:语境识词3500》Unit94:美国总统和中国筷子

　　Unit 94
US Presidents and Chinese Chopsticks
Ever since Richard Nixon first visited China in 1972, every successive US President has visited China. Learning to use chopsticks ha been an important lesson for all of them, because it is not only a part of eastern culture, but also a political art, a "small trick" to show of and win the host's pleasure. So, in his visit to China in June, 1998, Bill Clinton as also learn how to use chopsticks so as to be able to show off at the state banquet in Beijing.
Nixon had set the example to American Presidents to pay attention to the art of using chopsticks which was also a conversation topic at the state banquet during his visit. This, just like the shots of Nixon drinking Maotai, was televised throughout the world. From then on all American Presidents visiting China have tried their best to sow off their skill in using chopsticks.
At the 1972 banquet, Premier¹ Zhou Enlai noticed the dexterity² with which President Nixon used the chopsticks and praised him and Mrs. Nixon for their first-class skill. Mrs. Nixon immediately seized upon the topic and even let out the "secret" that they had been practicing using chopsticks in the White House for their visit to China. For half a year the Nixons had been using chopsticks instead of knifes and forks for their meals.
Nothing gave the Nixons more delight than to be praised by their host for their skill in using chopsticks. The success and prestige of a statesman is fully³ proved when he is praised by his host for immersing himself into the culture of the country he is visiting.
Trifling⁴ as the technique of using chopsticks may appear, it takes much time and hard work for a westerner to master it if he doesn't want to make mistakes. President Nixon had taken the matter very seriously. He had inquired from the President of Pakistan about what kind chopsticks were used at state banquet in Beijing and how many courses there usually were, and then he started to seriously practice with similar chopsticks.
The two countries had not established diplomatic relations when Nixon first visited China so his visit was not an official state visit, nevertheless he was careful with every single minor⁵ detail. Later US Presidents visiting China followed his example and paid special attention to minor details.

1 premier   

adj.首要的；n.总理，首相

参考例句：

• The Irish Premier is paying an official visit to Britain.爱尔兰总理正在对英国进行正式访问。
• He requested that the premier grant him an internview.他要求那位总理接见他一次。

2 dexterity   

n.(手的)灵巧，灵活

参考例句：

• You need manual dexterity to be good at video games.玩好电子游戏手要灵巧。
• I'm your inferior in manual dexterity.论手巧，我不如你。

3 fully   

adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地

参考例句：

• The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
• They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。

4 trifling   

adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的

参考例句：

• They quarreled over a trifling matter.他们为这种微不足道的事情争吵。
• So far Europe has no doubt, gained a real conveniency,though surely a very trifling one.直到现在为止,欧洲无疑地已经获得了实在的便利，不过那确是一种微不足道的便利。

5 minor   

adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修

参考例句：

• The young actor was given a minor part in the new play.年轻的男演员在这出新戏里被分派担任一个小角色。
• I gave him a minor share of my wealth.我把小部分财产给了他。