N: do you think chinese families have changed much in the last 50 years?
S: I think families everywhere have changed a lot in the last 5 decades.
N: what do you think is the biggest change?
S: well, in the past, three or four generations would live together under the same roof. Nowadays, living in the same city as one’s relatives in becoming rare.
N: that’ true. You know, some husbands and wives don’t even live in the same city any more.
S: would you ever consider having your parents live with you when they get older?
N: I guess I’m a bit old-fashioned. I’d rather have my parents live with me than live in a retirement room.
S: that’s very respectable, but I could never live with my parents. I usually only see them at our christmas celebration—and that’s enough!
N: how about your other siblings? Do they spend a lot of time with your parents?
S: two of my sisters still live at home, even they have already graduated from university and have jobs. They enjoy spending their free time with my parents. I guess in that respect, I’m the back sheep of the family.
N: I see. Do your parents ever ask you to come home to visit them more often?
S: they’re always asking me to come home, but I think our relationship is better if we keep a distance from each other. Whenever we see each other, all we do is fight.
N: well, you know what they say. You can choose your friends, but not your family.
对于最近这50年来中国家庭模式的变化你有什么看法?
我觉得世界各地的家庭这些年来都有很大的变化。
那你觉得变化最大的是哪个方面?
嗯，过去常常是三代或者四代同堂。而如今，亲戚们能住在一个城市的情况都很少见了。
没错，要知道，现在有些夫妻都不一定能住在同一个城市里。
你有没有想过你父母年纪大了以后你会陪他们一起住?
我觉得自己还是抱着老观念。希望父母能和我住在一起而不是去养老院。
你能这么想真是很不错。但是我绝不会和我父母住在一起。我通常是和他么一起过圣诞节---这就足够了。
你那其他的兄弟姐妹呢?他们会花很多时间陪你父母吗?
我的两个妹妹尽管已经大学毕业，而且工作也不错，但她们还是住在家里。她们很乐于把闲暇的时间都用来陪父母。我想从这方面看，我是家里的异类。
哦，我明白了，那你父母要求过你多回家看看他们吗?
他们总想让我常回家看看。但是我觉得我们之间还是保持一点距离比较好。因为我们只要一见面总会争执不休。
哦，你知道那句老话吧，你可以挑朋友，但家庭可是没得选。
We had our big family get-together on christmas eva.
我们全家人欢聚在一起庆祝圣诞节。
Someone isn’t grown up until age 26, probably with financial independence.
也许等到26岁能实现经济独立，这个人才算真正地长大。
I have to work hard because I need to support the whole family.
为了维持一家人的生机，我必须努力工作。
Do you get along with your in-laws?
你和你的姻亲相处的好吗?