I never realized that bureaucratism (管僚主义) hated criticism so much until I myself was taught a good lesson by some bureaucrats¹.

One sunny morning, I went to a high－level organization to report on some business. Once in the office, I found the man in charge busy and about to leave. “Wait a minute, please. You are the comrade I was told I must see.” I walked closer to the chief.

“Sorry, I’m busy now,” the reply was polite but firm.

“Would you please spare me just a few minutes? I came from a great distance and it’s not easy for me to pay another visit here in a short time.”

“Then come when you can,” now a chief’s tone² (语气), very businesslike.

“Just take a look at this paper. One minute is enough.”

“But I don’t even have one minute, no, not one single minute.”

“Then I must come back again?”

“Right, you must.”

“You are practicing bureaucratism!” I lost control of my temper that had been suppressed³ (压抑) since I entered the office.

“Good criticism (批评),” the chief smiled and left.

That was “bad” criticism, bad for me, as later I was told that my report was turned down. I was beaten by bureaucratism.

I learned the lesson: bureaucratism hates criticism. It seems that I need to learn more about the battle against that ugly social evil (弊病).

1. From the passage we can see _____.

A. the man in charge had a good temper

B. the writer was a bad－tempered person

C. the man in charge didn’t lose temper

D. the writer avoided losing his temper

2. The chief smiled and said “Good criticism”. This really shows _____.

A. he was open to the writer’s criticism

B. his patience and politeness

C. his false politeness

D. he didn’t mind much though the writer lost temper

3. The report was turned down only because _____.

A. the writer wouldn’t come back again

B. the chief was hurt by his criticism

C. the writer didn’t make it clear to him

D. the report itself was worthless

KEY: 1-3 C C B