hint: "on," to be "kept," "filled," "saved," "wasted," "gained," "planned," "given," "made the most of," even "killed." late -- even by ten minutes -- for an "wastes"
Time is, for the average American, of utmost importance. To the foreign visitor, Americans seem to be more concerned with getting things accomplished on time according to a predetermined schedule than they are with developing deep interpersonal relations. Schedules, for the American, are meant to be planned and then followed in the smallest detail. It may seem to you that most Americans are completely controlled by the little machines they wear on their wrists, cutting their discussions off abruptly to make it to their next appointment on time. Americans' language is filled with references to time, giving a clear indication of how much it is valued. Time is something to be "on," to be "kept," "filled," "saved," "wasted," "gained," "planned," "given," "made the most of," even "killed." The international visitor soon learns that it's considered very rude to be late -- even by ten minutes -- for an appointment in America. Time is so valued in America, because by considering time to be important one can clearly achieve more than if one "wastes" time and doesn't keep busy. This philosophy has proven its worth. It has enabled Americans to be extremely productive, and productivity itself is highly valued in America. Many American proverbs stress the value of guarding time, using it wisely, and setting and working towards specific goals. Americans believe in spending their time and energy today so that the fruits of their labor may be enjoyed at a later time.
时间对于普通的美国人来说最为重要。对于外国旁观者来说，美国人好像更关心根据预先定下 的计划把事情按时完成，而不是去发展加深人际关系。计划对于美国人来说，意味着计划了，然后就要按部就班的去完成。 对于你来说好像大部分美国人是完全的被他们手腕上的小机器所控制。唐突的中断他们的会谈使下一个预约会面能够按时的进行。 美国人的语言中充满了对时间的引用。时间的价值是多少是有明确的指示的。时间是要准时，是要守时，充满的，是要节省。被浪费的，获得的，计划的，给予的，充分利用的，甚至是消磨的。 国际的旁观者很快就了解了迟到是是被认为很无理的。在美国 ，预约迟到，甚至10分钟也是这样。 在美国是时间是如此的珍贵，因为把时间看作是重要的人能够获得比那些浪费和不抓紧时间的人多。这种理论已经证明了它的价值，它能使美国人特别有效率，而且效率本身在美国就有高度的价值。很多美国格言强调抓紧时间，合理的安排时间，而且设定具体的目标并且而知之努力。美国人相信今天付出时间和勤奋努力，明天就可以享受他们自己的劳动果实。 ——译文来自: chang2008200