Life stage in the United States

Author: Liu Yu-Rong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features: In Life Stage in America, there are chapters as heavy as lead, yet also light and humorous ones. The essay Textual Charm on the Streets of America picks up small details and fragments from daily life, vividly showcasing the wit and humor of Americans. For example, someone pastes a sticker on the back of their car that reads, "'This is the car of the old bastard's wife,' showing the helplessness of a wife toward her love-hate partner. Others, with a smirk, stick a sign on their dilapidated car that says, 'Hey! My other car is a Mercedes.' And some even warn the drivers behind them, 'Come hit me! I need money!' It's shocking to see, making one quickly maintain a safe distance." She has her own insights into the politeness of Americans. "On the surface, America truly is a very polite country. When meeting in the morning or evening, even strangers will greet each other with warm smiles. In markets, stations, or any place where queuing is necessary, people always line up patiently, quietly, and orderly like gentlemen and ladies, never seeing the pushing and shoving seen in mainland China. Are they showing off their upbringing, or are they earnestly pretending to be cultured? Perhaps neither. It might be to avoid lawsuits." How did she come to this conclusion? Read the full text, and you'll see. Based on her personal experiences and feelings, the chapters in Life Stage in America about mother-daughter relationships, husband-wife relationships, friendships, as well as the bonds with flowers, trees, cats, and dogs, are particularly touching and heart-stirring.