|
The Chinese people call flattery to someone's face "presenting a tall hat" to someone. In the past, an official in the imperial1 court in Beijing was appointed to an official post outside the capital. Before departure, he went to his teacher's home to bid farewell. His teacher warned him: "It is not easy to be an official outside the capital. You should be prudent2 and careful." The official replied: "Please don't worry. I have prepared 100 'tall hats'，and will present one to each and every person I meet. I'm sure all the local people will be pleased." The teacher said reproachingly3: "We are all honest gentlemen. How can you do that?" The official pretended he had no way out and said: "Very few people under heaven are like you who dislike being flattered4 or presented with tall hats." Hearing this, the teacher was very much pleased. He nodded and said: "What you said is true, too." After the official said farewell to his teacher and went out, he said to his friend: "Of my 100 'tall hats', now only 99 are left." 中国人把当面说奉承话叫做给某人“戴高帽子”。 在古代，有一个在京城朝廷里做官的人，奉命去外地做官。临行前，他去老师家告别。老师叮嘱说:“外地的官不容易做，应当谨慎小心些才好。” 那个做官的人回答说:“请老师放心，我准备了一百顶高帽子，逢人便送他一顶，管叫地方上人人高兴。” | 
