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中国家庭并不常用电话答录机(Answering Machine),但在北美家庭，几乎家家都用。外来电话拨入时，若该电话号码的主人不在，就会让拨入者听到一段留言，这叫Answer。绝大多数的Answer都是千篇一律的：说明主人不在，请拨入者留下简短信息及姓名电话号码等。 以下几则特别的 Answer 体现了美国佬的幽默，你能体会出其幽默所在吗? My wife and I cant come to the phone right now, but if youll leave your name and number, well get back to you as soon as were finished. Hi. This is John. If you are the phone company, I already sent the money. If you are my parents, please send money. If you are my financial aid institution, you didnt lend me enough money. If you are my friends, you owe me money. If you are a female, dont worry, I have plenty of money. Hi, Im not home right now but my answering machine is, so you can talk to it instead. Wait for the beep. Hi! Johns answering machine is broken. This is his refrigerator. Please speak very slowly, and Ill stick your message to myself with one of these magnets.*(见注) Hello, this is Sallys microwave. Her answering machine just eloped with her tape deck, so Im stuck with taking her calls. Say, if you want anything cooked while you leave your message, just hold it up to the phone. | 
