Abstract:

This study describes the differences in various aspects of interpersonal communication between Chinese neighborhood and American neighborhood on the basis of the analysis of the vivid plots which show the lives of four beautiful housewives with different characters in the US TV series Desperate Housewives. Then it analyzes the differences between American and Chinese interpersonal communication. This paper concludes that understanding of cultural differences should not be confined only to their distinctive practices. Instead, delving into the natural as well as the historic and social environments in which these cultures are rooted is vital to a better understanding of the cultural differences.

Key words: US TV series; styles of interpersonal communication; cultural differences between China and the U.S.; causes of cultural difference
          
摘要：

本文主要是从美剧《绝望主妇》出发，以剧中四个性格迥异的美丽主妇的生活为线索，对剧中出现的一系列邻里间的人际交往方式进行分析，并与中国邻里间人际交往方式作对比，从而探究美国人际交往方式与中国人际交往方式的不同。深刻理解文化差异不应仅仅停留在对文化实践差异的肤浅认识，更应该发掘各种文化所根植的自然环境、历史演进和独特的社会环境因素。

关键词：美剧；人际交往方式；中美文化差异；文化差异原因

1.    Introduction
1.1    Introduction of Desperate Housewives
Desperate Housewives is an American television series, created by Marc Cherry. It began airing in 2004. Setting its scene at Wisteria Lane in the town of Fairview, a perfect upper-middle-class American suburb with beautiful homes, neat lawns, minivans and sport-utility vehicles in the driveways etc., the series tracks the lives of four housewives of completely different characters, following their domestic struggles with their husbands, friends and neighbors.
The series rocketed to the top of the ratings from the premiere episode, and immediately became a cultural phenomenon. Desperate Housewives shows a story narrated by a beautiful housewife, Mary Alice, who killed herself in the first episode. After she died, her soul surrounded her four best friends. From Mary’s narrative and viewpoint, we can unfold the ways of communication and the daily life of each housewife.