評論
打印
"Oh, no! Here I am at an American family's home at the dinner table. There are all kinds of plates, saucers, cups, and silverware at my place. Which should I use for which food? Should I sit down first or wait for the host to invite me? Should I have brought a gift? Someone please tell me what to do!"
“哦，糟糕！此刻我坐在一個美國人家里的餐桌前吃晚餐。在我眼前有各式各樣的盤子、碟子、杯子和銀制餐具。該用哪種餐具盛哪一道食物呢？我應(yīng)該先坐下來還是等主人來招呼呢？我是不是應(yīng)該帶了禮物才來嗎？有誰來教教我該怎么做！”
Have you ever been in or had a nightmare about this situation? Don't worry! This article will help steer you through the rocks and reefs of Anglo-American table manners so that if you are ever abroad in Canada or the United States, or at someone's home from one of those countries, you will feel right at home.
你是否曾經(jīng)置身或經(jīng)歷過像這樣可怕的情形呢？別擔(dān)心！本篇文章將助你破除英美餐桌禮儀的重重障礙，如此一來，以后如果你出國到加拿大或美國，或到這兩國人士的家中作客，便能怡然自得了。
It is important to distinguish what kind of occasion you will be attending before you plan for a pleasant evening. Most Anglo-Americans enjoy entertaining at home, but they don't enjoy stuffy, formal dinners. They invite their friends over for a fun evening, not as a test of one's knowledge of cultural traditions. If, however, you are invited to a formal affair, such as a so-called "sit-down" dinner, you may want to know in advance some basic rules of "black tie" etiquette.
在計劃過個愉快的夜晚之前，先分清楚要參加的是哪一種場合是很重要的。大部分英美人士喜歡在家里招待客人，而不喜歡沈悶的正式晚宴。他們邀請朋友到家里來是為了過個快樂的夜晚，而不是要測試一個人的傳統(tǒng)文化知識。然而，如果你應(yīng)邀參加一個正式場合，例如所謂的“安排就座”晚宴，也許你會想事先知道一些正式宴會禮節(jié)的基本規(guī)范。
The first thing to remember when attending a dinner at a Western home is that you are the guest and that you are a foreigner. No one will invite you if he does not really want you to enter his "castle," so you can be sure that you are wanted. Additionally, as you do not come from the same country or culture as your host, he or she or they will surely be aware of this, and will be very forgiving if you unintentionally do or say something which would otherwise offend them. Keeping these two simple tips in mind should greatly ease your concern about being present at a dinner in someone else's home.
當(dāng)你參加西方家庭的晚宴時，首先要記住的是：你是客人，而且是個外國人。如果不是真要讓你進(jìn)入他的“城堡”，人家不會邀請你，所以你可以確定你是受歡迎的。除此之外，因為你來自和主人不同的國家和文化，他或她或他們當(dāng)然會明白這點，所以假使你無意間做了或說了某些冒犯他們的事時，他們會非常寬宏大量的。記住這兩個簡單的準(zhǔn)則應(yīng)該就能大大消除你到別人家用餐的憂慮。
Before arriving at your host's home, you may want to make sure of three things. First, be a few minutes late, say, about five to ten minutes if possible. Never be early, as the host may not have everything prepared yet. Nor should you be more than 20 minutes late. Your host may begin to worry about whether you are able to attend the dinner or not. Next, as to whether to bring a gift, in most informal gatherings, it is not necessary. If you like, you can bring some fruit or sweets, or, especially if there is a hostess, some flowers. These are thoughtful, cheerful gifts sure to please. Do not bring alcoholic beverages unless you are sure of your host's or hostess's preferences in drinks. Above all, do not spend a lot of money, and never give money. As we say in English, "It's the thought that counts." Finally, wear comfortable clothing. One can overdress as well as appear sloppy. For a special occasion or religious holiday, such as a retirement party or Christmas, a tie and jacket would be suitable for the gentlemen and a dress or sweater and skirt for the ladies.
在到達(dá)主人家之前，你可能要先確定三件事情。首先，要晚到幾分鐘，譬如說5～10分鐘左右，如果可能的話。千萬不要提早到，因為主人可能尚未一切就緒。但你也不要遲到超過20分鐘，否則人家會開始擔(dān)心你是否能來赴宴。其次，關(guān)于要不要帶禮物，在大部分非正式的聚會中是不需要的。你若高興的話，可以帶一些水果或甜點，或者，尤其是有女主人的話，可以送一些花。這些都是體貼、令人愉快的禮物，一定會討人喜歡。不要帶酒類飲料，除非你確知主人或女主人偏愛什么酒。更重要的是，不要花太多錢，而且絕不要送禮金。就像我們在英文中說的 "It's the thought that counts."（“禮輕情意重”）。最后，穿著舒適的衣服。過度打扮以及顯得邋遢都不好。在特別的場合或宗教節(jié)日，如退休宴會或圣誕節(jié)時，男士宜穿西裝打領(lǐng)帶，女士則穿洋裝或毛衣加裙子。
For more formal affairs, you will probably be told what to wear, such as "formal dress requested," etc. A tie and jacket or tuxedo for the gents and an evening gown for the ladies would be in order here. If you are unsure what to wear, you can always ask the host. Gifts are seldom appropriate for these affairs, unless for a wedding reception, at which gifts are more customary than cash.
在較正式的情況中，你可能要照規(guī)定穿著，例如“請著正式服裝”等等。此時，男士宜穿西裝打領(lǐng)帶或穿燕尾服，女士則穿晚禮服。如果你拿不準(zhǔn)該穿什么服裝，問主人就好了。在這些情況送禮通常不適當(dāng)，除非是結(jié)婚宴席，在習(xí)俗上大多是送禮物而非現(xiàn)金。
Your host in his home will usually motion you where to sit. At formal gatherings, name cards are sometimes provided, or you will be told where to sit. Do not be alarmed by a great deal of cutlery: simply start from the outside and work your way in. Formal affairs often have several courses of food with the appropriate cutlery for each dish. There is no harm in checking with your neighbor to see what implement he is using. After all, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." It is customary to ask others to pass dishes to you for self-serving; at a formal dinner party, there is usually catering (service). Again, do not hesitate to ask others for information or advice. They are usually pleased to help you.
屋里的主人通常會招呼你就座。在正式的聚會中，有時會擺出寫上名字的卡片，要不然人家會告訴你座位。不要被一大堆刀叉餐具嚇著了：只要由外往內(nèi)按順序使用就行了。正式宴會常會有幾道菜須使用特定的刀叉餐具，這時不妨咨詢一下鄰座的人看他用什么餐具。畢竟，人總要“入境隨俗”嘛。習(xí)慣上可以請別人將菜傳給你自己來盛；在正式晚宴上則通常會有分菜（服務(wù)）。同樣地，不要猶豫不敢向他人請益，他們通常都會很樂意幫助你。
The most important piece of advice is this: enjoy yourself. No host enjoys seeing nervous or fearful guests who are struggling to "do the right thing" at his home or expensive formal dinner party. Watch others or ask for their advice, and join in the conversation and good times as best you can. If you do, after the first such evening out, you will certainly look forward to the next!
最重要的一個忠告是：好好享受。作東的人都不樂于見到客人在他家中或昂貴的正式晚宴上，神情緊張或害怕地努力要讓自己的舉止合宜。觀察別人或向他們請教，盡可能地融入談話和歡樂當(dāng)中。如果能做到這樣，初次嘗過甜頭之后，你就一定會很期待下一次的晚宴了！
