[originaltext]M: That was a lovely party, wasn’t it?W: Yes, it was. The food w

M: That was a lovely party, wasn’t it?
W: Yes, it was. The food was pretty good, too.
M: I was a little puzzled about something, though.
W: What was that?
M: At one point in our conversation, Mr. Jones gave me a really funny look. It was almost like I’d broken some sort of rule.
W: Oh, yes…well, you did ask him how much he paid for his apartment.
M: And? What’s wrong with asking someone how much they paid for a piece of property?
W: Yeah, I know, but in many Western societies, talking about money in public is considered a little bit impolite.
M: Really? That’s funny, because Western society seems so open. People talk about all kinds of private things. But money is a no-no, huh?
W: If your Western friend buys something for a really good price, he or she might mention it to you. But unless the person is a close friend, we almost never ask how much something costs.
M: So, do you avoid talking about money so that people with less money don’t feel bad?
W: Yes, I think you hit the nail on the head (一语中的). Also, I think many Westerners believe that if you’re rich, you should be quiet about it. In fact, I believe many wealthy people in the West feel a little bit guilty.
M: Why would they feel guilty?
W: Because so many other people work very hard, but never become successful. When the wealthy turn on TV, they see so much pain and suffering, but their own lives are so comfortable.
M: Ah… I can understand that. If I were a wealthy person, I think I’d feel the same way.
W: It’s interesting that some of the most successful entrepreneurs (企业家), such as John D. Rockefeller and Bill Gates, ended up setting up charity organizations and giving away a large portion of the money they made.
M: So you’re saying that Bill Gates, for example, doesn’t necessarily think he deserves all the money he made. He knows a part of it was luck, right?
W: Yeah. Bill Gates is a computer genius, but he was there at the right place and the right time.
M: That’s a good attitude. It’s good to remember that hard work and good luck often go hand-in-hand. OK, so one more time, what’s the etiquette (礼仪，礼节) when it comes to talking about money with Westerners?
W: If the person doesn’t volunteer information about how much something costs, don’t bring it up. Don’t ask about personal savings or salary.
M: Is it OK to comment on or praise someone’s possessions? If you have a really nice car, can I say, "Wow! Nice car!"?
W: Yes, that’s fine. It only gets complicated when you start talking about specific prices.
M: I see your point. Topics like that could lead to embarrassment.
W: Exactly.
6. Why was the man given a funny look at the party?
7. What does the man think about Western people?
8. Why would wealthy people in the West feel guilty according to the woman?
9. What does the woman say about Bill Gates?
10. What does the woman suggest the man do?