Standing on a hill at Cliveden Gardens on a sunny winter day, its dark-green lake surrounded by centuries-old trees took my breath away It's just a local park near London that I'd never heard of during my eight years living in the UK. As I admired the serene garden, it taught me a lesson about the British culture of understatement.
"The English landscape is more beautiful because its beauty is understated, "my friend Will said to me later as we walked through an exhibition at Tate Britain. He pointed to a painting of a peaceful countryside. "This is the landscape I grew up with", he said. Unlike grand waterfalls or wild forests, this scenery doesn't shout about its beauty. .
I wonder if Chinese tourists will explore beyond London. Indeed, Oxford and Cambridge and the beloved Lake District National Park are some iconic symbols of Britain. But it would be a pity if they miss out on the lesser-known parts of the English landscape.
. I remember a straight-A classmate once telling me he "survived exams" and another friend from Oxford introducing himself as "studying in the countryside". This modesty also has its mirror in Chinese culture. I remember my parents' telling me to work hard but not to brag about my achievements. Chinese culture is full of proverbs such as "real gold will shine sooner or later", to encourage long-term dedication to one's chosen area of expertise.
Experiencing both cultures, I've realized that the English and Chinese both express achievements with understatement. It reflects the unspoken charm in both British and Chinese traditions. And it's an off-the-beaten-path attraction well worth exploration.
A. Cliveden isn't a famous holiday place.
B. Rather, its beauty is reserved for the locals only.
C. I've been impressed by British humor all the time.
D. They tend to prefer places with a strong reputation.
E. But the more I looked, the more I saw its quiet elegance.
F. Over the years, I've become familiar with British modesty.
G. This mix makes me appreciate the unusual beauty of Cliveden.
