Officer: May I see your passport, please?

Mr. Li: Yes. Here you are.

Officer: Are you traveling on business or for pleasure?

Mr. Li: I'm going to visit my older sister in New York.

Officer: How long will you stay?

Mr. Li: For several months.

Officer: Do you have anything to declare? Jewelry1 or cash?

Mr. Li: No, I haven't. The only things I brought were my own clothes, my notebook computer and some gifts for my sister.

Officer: I'm sorry. I'm afraid I'll have to check these, too. Did you bring any fruits, vegetables, fresh meats or plants into this country?

Mr. Li: Oh… would you kindly2 allow me to bring in the civet durian? It is the favorite of my sister.

Officer: Sorry, rotten fruit is not allowed.

Mr. Li: But it is NOT rotten. It naturally has the special flavor.

Officer: Well, perhaps. But perishables3 are also not allowed.

Mr. Li: Oh, my poor sister!





海关官员：请把你的护照给我看一下。

李先生：好的。在这里。

官员：你这次旅行是为了公务还是游玩？

李先生：我来看望在纽约居住的姐姐。

官员：你打算在纽约呆多久？

李先生：几个月。

官员：你有没有什么东西要申报？珠宝或现金？

李先生：没有。我所携带的东西只是一些自己的衣物和笔记本电脑，还带了一些送给姐姐的礼物。

官员：对不起，恐怕我也得检查一下。你有没有携带任何水果、蔬菜、鲜肉或植物进本国？

李先生：喔……您能允许我带些榴莲吗？它是我姐姐最喜欢的水果。

官员：对不起，腐烂的水果不允许带进来。

李先生：但是它不是腐烂的水果。它天生就是这种特殊的味儿。

官员:是吗，也许吧。但易腐烂的东西也是不能带进来的。

李先生：哎，我可怜的姐姐！