評論
打印
G: does tea-serving follow any special etiquette in China? Each time I dropped in at my Chinese frineds' homes, their parents would offer me a cup of hot, strong tea, though they never inquired of me about whether I want it.
在中國,給人上茶有什么特別的禮節(jié)沒有?每次我上朋友家串門,他們總是給我泡上一杯熱騰騰的濃茶,可是他們從來也不問我需不需要.
Z: you've got the point there. It is a custom and good manners to serve tea to a guest who comes to pay a visit. There is no need to ask if he needs it or not, or if he wants something else. It might be an insult to the guest if he is left sitting there without being served tea.
你說到點子上了.給上門拜訪的客人上茶確實是風俗禮節(jié),不需要問他們要不要茶,或者要不要別的東西.要是把客人冷落在一邊,連茶都不端一杯,會被認為是在侮辱人家的.
G: so the guest is presumed to be thirsty and in need of some drink after the trip. In that case, I guess, in return, the guest doesn't have to drink it if he wouldn't like it.
這么說來,我們就得客人趕路后,口渴了,需要喝點什么.那樣的話,我想,客人如果不喜歡茶,也可以不喝它吧?
Z: it wouldn't be considered rude behavior if he doesn't even take a single drop. But he'd better receive the teacup with both hands and bow his thanks when the cup is brought before his face. When the host pours hot water into his cup, he may also choose to tap his index finger on the table, meaning "Thanks". No matter if he likes it or not, it is impolite if he doesn't even lay a finger on the cup.
如果一滴都不喝,確實也算不上無禮.但是茶端到他面前時,他最好雙手接住茶杯,欠身致謝.主人給他倒茶時,他也可以在桌面上輕叩下食指,表示”叩首謝謝”.不管他喜不喜歡,要是連碰都不碰一下茶杯,那就有失禮貌了.
G: so next time, I'd better take a few sips, to 'save face' at least, right?
所以,下次我還是喝幾口,”給面子”,對吧?
Z: sure. The guest is welcomed by being served tea. But if after chatting for a while, the host asks servants or family memners to serve a new cup of tea, or add some hot water, he is giving another signal.
當然啦.上茶是表示歡迎.但是,如果聊了一會兒后,主人叫仆人或者家人重新給你沏茶,或者加點開水,他的意思可就變了.
G: what does that imply, then?
那他是想說什么呢?
Z: more often than not, the understatement is 'I'm afraid it's time you leave'.
很可能是,”不早了,你是不是該走了啊?”
詞匯集錦
Etiquette: the formal rules of correct or polite behaviour in society or among members of a particular profession (社會或行業(yè)中的)禮節(jié),禮儀,規(guī)矩
advice on etiquette 在禮節(jié)方面的忠告
medical/legal/professional etiquette 醫(yī)學界的／法律界的／行業(yè)規(guī)矩
drop by/in/round; drop in on somebody; drop into something: to pay an informal visit to a person or a place 順便訪問;順便進入
Drop by sometime. 有空兒來坐坐。
I thought I'd drop in on you while I was passing. 我曾想路過時順便來看看你。
Sorry we're late─we dropped into the pub on the way. 對不起，我們遲到了--我們半路上順便到酒館坐了坐。
Insult: a remark or an action that is said or done in order to offend somebody 辱罵;侮辱;冒犯~ (to sb/sth)
The crowd were shouting insults at the police. 群眾大聲辱罵著警察。
His comments were seen as an insult to the president. 他的評論被看成是對主席的冒犯。
The questions were an insult to our intelligence(= too easy). 那些問題（簡單得）有辱我們的智慧。
Sip: a very small amount of a drink that you take into your mouth 一小口(飲料)
to have/take a sip of water 喝一小口水
understatement
1.a statement that makes something seem less important, impressive, serious, etc. than it really is 保守的說法；不充分的敘述
To say we were pleased is an understatement(= we were extremely pleased). 只說我們高興真是輕描淡寫。
‘These figures are a bit disappointing.’ ‘That's got to be the understatement of the year.’ “這些數(shù)字有點令人失望?！?“那一定是本年度最保守的說法了。”
2.the practice of making things seem less impressive, important, serious, etc. than they really are 淡化；低調(diào)說法
typical English understatement 典型的英國式低調(diào)說法
He always goes for subtlety and understatement in his movies. 他總是在自己的電影中運用細膩刻畫和淡化手法。
