又中又英｜Public enemy number one

Regular readers of this column will know I regard Hong Kong’s taxi drivers as public enemy number one. They behave as if they are a law unto themselves. I have griped (complained) about them to the government many times when I lived in Hong Kong. I am now back for a visit but haven’t noticed any improvement in the attitude of taxi drivers. They still behave as if they are a law unto themselves. The expression “public enemy number one” is used to describe a country’s most dangerous criminal or most dangerous threat. Many Americans consider drug abuse as public enemy number one.
But the expression can also be used to describe someone that many people don’t like. Many Hong Kong people dislike taxi drivers because the drivers often choose passengers, refuse to cross the harbour, overcharge tourists, and decline short or long trips. The expression “a law unto themselves” describes people who don’t follow rules or don’t care about what others think of them. Taxi drivers now want the government to take tough action against ride-hailing services, which they say are hurting the livelihood of the taxi trade.
Ride-hailing is a service that allows people to order drivers and cars online to pick them up where they are and take them where they want to go. To cave in means to finally agree to do what somebody wants. I have taken taxis with very polite drivers, but they are a minority. Many countries allow ride-hailing services. The government will further hurt its international image if it doesn’t allow ride-hailing.

恒常读这个专栏的读者们都会知道，我将香港的士司机视为头号公敌（public enemy number one）。他们自行其是，我行我素（a law unto themselves）。我从前住香港的时候，已经多次向政府抱怨（griped）；现在我回来短游，却也未见的士司机的态度有任何改善。他们仍然活像自己可以为所欲为（a law unto themselves）一般。习语“public enemy number one”是用来形容一个国家最危险的罪犯或是最危险的威胁。许多美国人都视滥药为头号公敌（public enemy number one）。

然而，这个习语也可以用来形容许多人都讨厌的人。许多香港人都不喜欢的士司机，因为司机会拣客、拒绝过海、向游客滥收车资，长途短途的车程都拒绝。习语“a law unto themselves”是形容人不守规矩，又或我行我素，不理他人如何看自己。的士司机现在要政府对网约车服务（ride-hailing services）采取严厉的行动，因为他们说网约车会损害的士行业的生计。

Ride-hailing是让人可以网上预约司机和车辆，到他们所在之处搭载他们到目的地。To cave in是指终于屈服，答允做某人要求的事。我亦曾搭过一些的士，司机非常有礼，但他们只属少数。许多国家都容许网约车服务（ride-hailing service）。政府若不再容许网约车（ride-hailing），只会进一步损害其国际形象。

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Michael Chugani褚简宁
中译：七刻