然而，许多缺乏跨文化意识的翻译却往往直截了当地把它们译为：“Welcome. You must be tired all the way ./Are you tired after such a long journey ?/You must have had a hard journey.”这话让客人听来好像他(她)看上去很疲惫或者很憔悴，而实际上 他(她)却是神采奕奕、精神抖擞。于是，外宾往往回答说:“Thank you. I’m not tired at all. ”(谢谢,我一点也不累。）有的外宾甚至还会反问一句:“Do I look tired?”其实，在这种情形下’译员完全可以译成:“Did you enjoy your journey?”或者“How was your journey?”

 

同样，在宴请结束时,中方主人常常会客气地问候客人:“吃饱了吗？ ”显然，这句话也不能译为“Are you full?”,而应译成“Did you enjoy the food?”或者“How do you like the food?”或者“I hope you have enjoyed the dinner.”。在 送客时,中国人习惯说留步！留步! ”翻译时不宜译成“Hold your steps.”,而应灵活地翻译为“It was nice meeting you. Goodbye! ”