内容简介

在谈论人际关系和交友的语境中，“a red flag” 可以指 “一个需要加以警惕的行为习惯”，那什么是 “a beige flag”？这还要从 “beige” 这个中性色说起。听节目中两位主持人的对话，学习 “地道英语” 表达 “beige flag” 的用法。

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（关于台词的备注: 请注意这不是广播节目的逐字稿件。本文稿可能没有体现录制、编辑过程中对节目做出的改变。）

Feifei
大家好，欢迎收听 BBC英语教学的 “地道英语” 节目。I'm Feifei.

Beth
And I'm Beth. We have an expression for a behaviour or habit someone has that you find strange or unusual but doesn't put you off or make you not like the person. The expression is 'beige flag'.

Feifei
这期节目中我们要来说说 “beige flag” 这个表达。首先，“beige” 是 “米色”，“flag” 是 “旗，旗帜”，“beige flag” 就是 “米色的旗”。现在我们可以用 “beige flag” 来指 “你觉得某人的行为或习惯很奇怪，但这又不足以让你反感或不喜欢这个人”。Beth, why 'beige flag'?

Beth
Well, a beige flag is neutral. It's different to a red flag, which generally means danger, and a green flag, which is a positive thing, in the speaker's opinion.

Feifei
在谈论人际关系和交友的语境中，表达 “a beige flag” 可以指 “虽然有点莫名其妙，却又不算讨厌的行为习惯”，正如 “beige” 这个中性色一样。而相比之下，“a red flag（一面红色的旗帜）” 则指 “一个需要加以警惕、糟糕的行为习惯”。如果一个人被你标记了一面红旗 “a red flag”，那么你可能想要远离这个人，躲避雷点 “a red flag”。反之，如果一个人被你标记了一面绿旗 “a green flag”，那么这个人可能有 “一个让你喜欢、认可的行为习惯”。

Beth
Now, I recently went on a date with a guy and when we left he said 'see you later alligator', and I found that a bit of a beige flag.

Feifei
Yeah. Isn't that something kids say? It doesn't make you not want to see him, but I understand why you found it a bit weird.

Beth
Also, he said he doesn't like any vegetables. It's not an immediate concern, but it does make me pause and question how healthy he is!

Feifei
I know exactly what you mean. It's not something that makes you think he's a bad or dangerous person, but it's not really something you like about him.

Beth
Indeed. They're beige flags. Let’s hear some more examples.

Examples
Ironing bedsheets is a beige flag for me. Why do it when you're just going to sleep in them?

I really like him, but he wants me to start going to the gym with him. That's a beige flag, right?

Martin always drinks cold coffee, even in the winter. It's a beige flag.

Feifei
你正在收听的是 BBC英语教学的 “地道英语” 节目。上面我们听了三个使用了 “beige flag” 的例句。通俗地讲，“beige flag” 好比 “一个人的尬点”，就是 “虽然有点古怪，却又不足以让你反感的行为或习惯”。

Beth
Now, beige flags are very common in dating, but you can also use it to describe a colleague, for example.

Feifei
Yes. You sing to yourself all day in the office. It's a bit annoying…

Beth
Sorry. I suppose that is a bit of a beige flag. I'm going on another date tonight, so I'll try not to sing when I'm with him!

Feifei
Good luck. Bye!

Beth
Bye.