I am translating a paragraph about architecture and since I'm not a native speaker of English I find some phrases difficult to understand. What does the phrase 'a wink at the client' mean in this very complex context (p.s. this paragraph is about the postmodern interior of this travel agency https://www.google.lt/search?q=Hans+Hollein+travel+agency&dcr=0&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiepNLJ0ejWAhWjYJoKHSeRBfQQ_AUICigB&biw=1366&bih=659
The client enters a world of references and illusions, no object is merely itself. The hall itself is not the lobby of a travel bureau but of a railway station, or at least it creates this association. The allusions possess differing degrees of immediacy; they range from the banal legibility of the airline counter (Adler), of shipping companies (Reling), up to the counter for theatre tickets (moving piece of scenery – the student has to guess the reason for himself) and the most subtle references to Egypt, Greece, India. Illusion and orientation, information and learning are merged together while the money passes through the radiator grill of a Rolls-Royce – a wink at the client.
(p.s. the radiator grille reference is clear from the following information: interior featured a row of reception grilles in the shape of Rolls Royce radiators.)
Does ''a wink at the client" means that the process of passing money is kept discrete or does it mean that the architect wanted to amuse the client by such a design?
Native speakers of English, could you help me with my English?
2017-10-12 4:13 am
回答 (4)
2017-10-12 4:23 am
✔ 最佳答案
To me, it means that the architect is making a little joke: If you have to ask how much our services cost, you can't afford them. If you are wealthy enough to own a Rolls Royce, you are wealthy enough to pay our fees. 
2017-10-12 4:54 am
"A wink at the client" is what you correctly guessed as your second choice: A purposeful design detail intended to amuse the client and to let the client know that he's being amused.
2017-10-12 4:50 am
Magical.
2017-10-12 4:26 am
The phrase "a wink" when used figuratively denotes tacit approval of wrong-doing or implies the one who is supposedly winking is being intentionally insincere, which in this case would be the architects or the patrons whom the clients are paying.
Despite all you've provided, there's still not enough context to know for sure what specifically is meant by "a wink at the client" here. It's communicating a mocking insincerity or underhandedness, but what that mocking insincerity or underhandedness specifically is, I couldn't say. I'm a little troubled by the word "at," because the preposition "to" is usually used when "a wink" is used in this figurative manner. The preposition "at" is used when someone literally winks by closing one eye for another to see. For example, I might say, "A wink 'at' you is a wink 'to' you," which would be me telling you that if I literally look at you and then close one eye, that is a tacit message to you that I just lied and you should proceed assuming that my true meaning or opinion is the opposite of what I just said.
Despite all you've provided, there's still not enough context to know for sure what specifically is meant by "a wink at the client" here. It's communicating a mocking insincerity or underhandedness, but what that mocking insincerity or underhandedness specifically is, I couldn't say. I'm a little troubled by the word "at," because the preposition "to" is usually used when "a wink" is used in this figurative manner. The preposition "at" is used when someone literally winks by closing one eye for another to see. For example, I might say, "A wink 'at' you is a wink 'to' you," which would be me telling you that if I literally look at you and then close one eye, that is a tacit message to you that I just lied and you should proceed assuming that my true meaning or opinion is the opposite of what I just said.
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