Once a group of Chinese was visiting the home of an American. As they were shown around the house, they commented, "You have a very nice home. It's so beautiful." The hostess smiled with obvious pleasure and replied in good American fashion "Thank you" ---- which caused surprise among some of her Chinese guests. Later, while conversing at the dinner table, the host remarked to the Chinese interpreter, a young lady who had graduated not long ago from a university, "Your English is excellent. Really quite fluent." To this she demurred, "No, no. My English is quite poor" ---- an answer that he had not expected and found a bit puzzling.

Was the American hostess' reply immodest, as it seemed to some of the Chinese"

Was the young Chinese interpreter's remark insincere, as it sounded to the American"

In both case the answer is no. why? The...