问答题 In general, my new colleagues were less hurried， more accessible, and, in stark contrast to the stereotype of the reserved Englishman, friendlier. They shared their ideas and time and were less competitive. They showed a genuine interest in the research of others, and often took time to attend a seminar on a topic far from their own research. Senior scientists spent less time applying for grants, managed fewer people， and often conducted experiments themselves; I encountered fewer of the out- of-touch administrator-scientists that I had met so often in the United States. The resulting workplace environment translated into increased enthusiasm and productivity for almost everyone. Miserable postdocs seemed to be the exception rather than the norm. The British approach to research is embodied in the daily ritual of afternoon tea. At British universities, it is customary to cease work and spend a half-hour or so sipping tea and eating cookies with the members of one’s department. Conversation ranges from science to politics to personal chitchat. I found that the professional benefits of teatime more than compensated for the time spent away from the bench. Not only was I the recipient of many insightful suggestions and ideas, but simply by explaining my latest results to someone outside my field and answering his or her questions, I was forced to think about my work in a broader context. Relationships were built that were later drawn upon for advice, collaboration, and friendship. The characteristic approach to scientific inquiry in a country has many complex and independent causes, as does any cultural difference. The British selectivity about which experiments to perform, for example, is due as much to personality and temperament as to fewer personnel and fewer financial resources. But I also believe that another important determinant of research style is learned behavior passed down from mentor to student and contagious among colleagues.无