【正文】 the curtain. This pliment works well in China, but the Englishspeaking hostess felt insulted. As is known to all, the westerners are very confident about themselves. The hostess might think that the Chinese didn’t believe she was capable of doing it and her ability was doubted. In contrast, the Westerners are generous in giving pliments facetoface and accepting them. For example, when the guests are shown around a newly bought house, it is quite impolite not to praise the house。 when the guests are invited to a dinner, they must give a positive ment on the food. Example (3): Guest: It’s delicious. (While eating) Hostess: I’m glad you like it.On the whole, the Chinese pliment each other less frequently than the Westerners do. Furthermore, in addition to pliments on people’s house and clothes, the Westerners also make favorable ments on one’s own children, pets and even husbands, wives, boyfriends or girlfriends. But in contrast, Chinese seldom make such pliments, and therefore, it is hard for them to understand and accept them. Nowadays, Chinese parents also praise their own children for their achievements and are proud of them. But pliments on one’s husband or wife seldom happen. Instead, Chinese always depreciate the husband or wife as “愚夫” or “賤內”As for the response to a pliment, it appears in pair with pliment. That is, people who are plimented must respond to it…accept or refuse. [7] The ways to respond to pliments are different in China from western countries. The Westerners tend to accept the pliments, at least in form, whereas the Chinese rend to efface themselves in words, although they do feel fortable about the pliments. In other words, Westerners prefer to convey their thanks directly while Chinese like to minimize themselves to achieve the same goal. Just look at the different responses in the following dialogue:Example (4): When someone praises them: “How beautiful your skirt is!” Westerners: “Thanks a lot!”Chinese: “Really? It’s just an ordinary skirt.” Example (5): When they appreciate one’s help, Westerners: “You’re really a great help to me!” “I can’t imagine how I can manage it without you!” “Thank you for enduring so much trouble I brought to you!” “I really appreciate your help!”… Chinese: “Sorry to have wasted your time.” “Sorry for having taken up your precious time.” “I’m not at ease for bringing you so much trouble.”…In the majority of circumstances, it is perfectly normal to accept a pliment for the Westerners unless the pliment is very obviously untrue. So people frequently respond simply “Thank you”. For example, if the guest pliments the host on the food, it is mon for the guest to say “Thank you. I am glad that you like it” in reply. On the contrary, responses in Chinese are quite different because modesty is highly valued in Chinese culture. Chinese people are apt to observe the selfdenigration Maxim of Gu’s PP in modern Chinese. When the concerning pliments are on oneself, Chinese people usually deny it with “No”. Example (6): A: Your skirt looks beautiful!B: Not very good. It is very cheap. Example (7): (In China, a foreign traveler sent thanks to the guide.)Foreign traveler: “Thank you very much for what you’ve done for me!”Guide: “Not at all. That’s my duty.”The above responses are typical in Chinese plimentresponse exchanges. The differences may result in serious municative interference in intercultural munication between Chinese and English speakers. Considerations of privacyDifferent people hold different views about what privacy is. Privacy is valued in all cultures but it is more highly regarded in English culture than in Chinese culture. That is because English culture is characterized by individualism while Chinese culture is characterized by collectivism. The perceptions of “privacy” in the two cultures are quite different. Chinese people pay great attention to human feelings and interpersonal relationships. According to Chinese conventions, it’s polite to show mutual care and “attitudinal warmth” for others. So it is customary that Chinese people initiate their convention by asking about each other’s age, marital status, occupation and even ine when they meet each other even for the first time. To Chinese, asking all these questions is undertaken to show concern for others and will shorten the social distance between themselves and their interlocutors. Thus, harmonious relationship can be maintained. Look at the following convention:Example (8): (I feel close to the young man now.) Ian old man Hea young manI: How old are you? He: NineteenI: How long have you been in the army? He: One year.I: How did you join the revolution? He: I follow the army voluntarily when they retreated to the north.I: Who else are in your family? He: My mother, father, brother, sister and my aunt.I: Are you married? ... [8]In China, the above dialogue is mon, which is full of concern from an old man to a young man. But if English speakers are asked such questions, they will simply feel that their interlocutors are rudely intruding their privacy. Their sense of privacy is so strong that they are easily offended by such mon Chinese greetings such as “Where are you going?” or “Where have you been?” Most Englishspeakers will think that it is none of other’s business. But it does not mean that Chinese people have no privacy. Instead it implies that their conception of privacy is quite different from