Here is a joke that’s been circulating on 微信 (WeChat). One of our Chinese friends sent it to us. I’ll first write the Chinese, then give a simple translation:
一架客机迫降海面上,空姐让乘客从滑梯下海,乘客不敢。于是空姐求助机长。 见多识广的机长说:
你要对美国人说这是冒险;
对英国人说这是荣誉 ;
对法国人说这很浪漫;
对德国人说这是规定;
对日本人说这是命令!
空姐为难地说:可他们都是中国人。
机长笑了[阴险]:那更容易啦,你告诉他们这是免费的!
An airplane needed to make a forced landing into the sea. The flight attendant wanted the passengers to slide down the emergency blow-up slide, but the passengers were unwilling. So, the flight attendant informed the captain who advised:
to Americans, you need to say that this is dangerous;
to people from England, you need to say this is a matter of pride;
to Germans, say that this is a rule;
to Japanese, tell them it’s a command!
The flight attendant, slightly embarrassed. said: But they are all Chinese people.
The captain smiled slyly: Then it’s even easier. Tell them that it’s free!
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