礼尚往来 Courtesy demands reciprocity
Explanation
这个成语的意思是：礼节上应该有来有往。现在也指以同样的态度或做法回答对方。强调人际交往中相互尊重、互惠互利的原则。
The idiom means: There should be a give and take in courtesy. Now it also refers to answering each other with the same attitude or approach. It emphasizes the principle of mutual respect and mutual benefit in interpersonal communication.
Origin Story
春秋时期，晋国大夫范宣子因公出差，途经一处山谷，看见一位老妇人正在山崖边上哭泣。范宣子下车询问，老妇人悲痛地说，她的儿子在采石时，不小心坠落山崖而死，如今无人收殓。范宣子深感同情，立即命令手下将老妇人的儿子安葬妥当，并抚慰老妇人。临行前，范宣子拿出自己的财物，赠送给老妇人，让她能够重新开始生活。第二年春天，范宣子再次出差路过这里，意外地发现这位老妇人竟然在路边摆了个摊位，热情地接待他，并拿出自己亲手制作的干粮和清茶敬奉他。范宣子对老妇人的行为深为感动，他明白，这是老妇人对之前施恩的回报。范宣子感慨地说：“礼尚往来，这就是人世间最美好的情谊。”
During the Spring and Autumn Period (770-256 BC), Fan Xuanzi, a minister of the Jin state, was on official business. On his way, he saw an old woman weeping by a cliff. Fan Xuanzi stopped his carriage to ask her, and the old woman sadly told him her son had accidentally fallen from the cliff while collecting stones, and now there was no one to bury him. Fan Xuanzi deeply sympathized with the old woman, and immediately ordered his men to bury her son properly and comfort the old woman. Before leaving, Fan Xuanzi gave her his own belongings, so that she could start her life again. The next spring, when Fan Xuanzi passed by again, he unexpectedly found the old woman setting up a stall by the roadside. She enthusiastically welcomed him and offered him food and tea made by herself. Fan Xuanzi was deeply moved by the old woman's actions. He understood that this was a return for his previous kindness. Fan Xuanzi sighed, "This is the most beautiful friendship in the world, to give and to receive."
Usage
用于形容人际交往中相互尊重，互惠互利的行为。多用于朋友、同事之间。
Used to describe the behavior of mutual respect and mutual benefit in interpersonal communication. It is mostly used between friends and colleagues.
Examples
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他俩互相帮助，真是礼尚往来。
ta lia hu xiang bang zhu, zhen shi li shang wang lai
They help each other, it's really a give and take.
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我们应该礼尚往来，不能只顾自己。
women ying gai li shang wang lai, bu neng zhi gu zi ji
We should be considerate of each other and not just think about ourselves.