遇到有人問你為何還不結婚，老外也會幽默地說：

I don’t get married because I have never met a man (或woman) who deserved to be as happy as I could make him (或her) (to be happy)

我不結婚是因為我還沒有遇到一位值得我讓他 (她)無比幸福的男人 (女人)

(to be happy可省去)

也就是：I never met a man (或woman) who deserves to marry me; I am so wonderful.

Why should I marry and make one woman miserable, when I can remain single and make more women happy.

我為什麼要結婚而讓一位女人受罪，當我維持單身，能讓更多的女人高興。

(也就是：I should not get married)

如果問到兒女的事，也可以說：

Gee, I really don’t know. I never asked my son(daughter) because I figured it was none of mybusiness.

哎呀！我真不知道。我從未問過我兒子 (女兒)，因為我覺得那不關我的事。

(Gee 是Jesus 或 God的委婉語)

老外遇到「多管閒事」者，有時也會「不耐其煩」地說：

Why do you want to know how much I paid? Are you offering to make my next payment?

你為什麼要知道我付多少錢？難道你要為我付下一次的貸款嗎？

If it were any of your business, you would know about it.

假如這是你的事，你就會知道。

(言外之意是這不關你的事，所以你不必知道)

If you will forgive me for not answering, I will forgive you for asking.

假如你原諒我不回答，我也原諒你的發問。

This is a very personal question. How could that possibly concern you?

這是一個十分私人的問題，怎麼可能讓你關心呢？

What an incredibly rude question (it is); I cannot believe you asked that.

這是一個不可思議的粗魯問題，我不相信你竟然會發問。

不願男人常常「打擾」，老外女人也會「嚴正」地說：

I know we are old acquaintances, but I’m not interested in any kind of relationship with you. Please don’t call me again.

我知道我們相識很久了，但我沒有興趣與你有任何的關係，請不要再打電話給我。

甚至更強調：

If you continue to bother me, I may have to speak to the police about a restraining order.

假如你繼續騷擾我，我也許會找警察，討論申請制止令。

(restraining order 是不准雙方來往的命令。)

老外多半不會「強求」或「死追」。男人聽到這些，也會「知難而退」，否則可能吃上「騷擾」的官司。

(5)婉拒提供服務或產品 (declining offers of service or products)

遇到有人推銷新產品或某些特別的服務，老外也會客氣的婉拒。

例如：

I appreciate your interest in me, but I don’t feel that your service (product) is one I need right now.

謝謝你對我的興趣，不過你所提供的服務 (或產品)，目前我不需要。

Even though your service seems very appealing, this is not something I am prepared to get at this time. I’ll send this information to my friends who may be interested.

雖然你提供的服務，是蠻吸引人的，但不符合我現在所需。我可以把這個消息，轉告也許會有興趣的朋友。

It is possible that we would be interested in your service (或product) after this year.

也許明年我們對你的服務(或產品)有興趣。

I am really not interested in your service at this time. Perhaps you could check back with me next summer.

我現在實在對你的服務沒興趣，也許明年暑期你可再來找我。

We are very happy with what we have now. But you may give me your phone number in case I need to call you.

我們對現況很滿意，不過你可以給我電話號碼，如果需要時，我再與你聯絡。

It does not suit our needs at this time. This is not a priority for us, either.

目前這不適合我們的需要，也不是我們優先考慮的項目。

遇到慶祝場合，不要親友送禮時，也可婉辭：

You friendship (或presence) is a cherished(或treasured) gift and I respectfully request noother (gift)

你的友誼 (或光臨)已經是一項珍貴的禮物，請不要再給我其他的禮物。

(6)藉故逃避和自我紓困 (making excuses and selfjustification):

遇到「不耐煩」情況或尷尬場面，用來藉故開脫或自我辯解。

例如：

(a) 某些場合，遇到有人與你喋喋不休，感到厭煩時，可藉口開脫：

Excuse me, I would like to say hi to our host.

抱歉，我想去向主人問個好。

My apologies! I have to talk to a friend whom I haven’t seen in (或for) a while.

對不起，我要與一位很久不見的朋友聊聊。

(apologies = many apologies)

Would you excuse me for a minute; I have to take a phone call.

請原諒，我要去接一通電話。

Well, I better go and mingle with some other people. It was nice talking to you.

哎呀！我最好與其他人交談一下。很高興能與你聊天。

三人交談時，要想開溜，可以說:

Two is company; three is a crowd. I am sure you two (both) will have a lot to talk about.

兩人結伴，三人不歡。我相信你們兩位有很多話要談。/懷中