這是最近流傳的一則笑話,據說,是日本駐美大使館傳出的.

愛說冷笑話的歐巴馬,這回可是踢到鐵板了.

幾天以前,日本首相Mori先生訪美前,為了慎重並且尊重主人國家,先請翻譯指導一下與歐巴馬總統見面時的基本對話應對.

這名翻譯告訴Mori,和歐巴馬總統握過手,順便問"你好嗎?"(How are you?)寒喧一下.然後,歐巴馬一定回說"我很好,你呢?"(I am fine, and you?),你就接腔說"我也很好"(me too).在這之後,對談就由雙方翻譯接手.

看似簡單,但真實的場景是這樣的....

Mori先生一看到歐巴馬,可能太緊張,把"How are you?"說成了"Who are you?"

在英語對話,對陌生人說"Who are you?"其實是很不禮貌、不得體的.有點"你是何方神聖?"、"你算哪根蔥?"的味道.

歐巴馬一聽,當然知道Mori先生說錯話,讓客人保住面子,又凸顯自己的幽默感,於是就回答"喔,我是米雪兒.歐巴馬的先生".

Mori可能根本沒察覺自己說錯話,也沒把歐巴馬的話聽進去,就接腔說

"我也是!"

*附上轉傳的原文

A few days ago, Prime Minister Mori was given some Basic English conversation training before he visits Washington and meets president Barack Obama...

The instructor told Mori Prime Minister, when you shake hand with President Obama, please say 'how r u'.
Then Mr. Obama should say, 'I am fine, and you?' Now, you should say 'me too'.    Afterwards we, translators, will do the work for you.'

It looks quite simple, but the truth is...

When Mori met Obama , he mistakenly said 'who r u?' (Instead of 'How r u?'.)

Mr. Obama was a bit shocked but still managed to react with humor:
'Well, I'm Michelle 's husband, ha-ha...'

Then Mori replied 'me too, ha-ha.. .'.

Then there was a long silence in the meeting room.