來(lái)自中國(guó)的雇員Dana跟同事Charlie聊天兒，說(shuō)自己要去美國(guó)朋友家過(guò)圣誕節(jié)，請(qǐng)Charlie給她講講美國(guó)人過(guò)圣誕的習(xí)俗。
D: Would you say Christmas is the most popular American holiday?
C: Definitely. It's a really big deal. Most people don't work on that day, and if you ask someone to work you have to pay them a lot of overtime.
D: Should I bring presents for all of his family members?
C: That's probably not necessary because you're a guest. You could bring a small souvenir or something from China for them. But one tradition is to bring a nice bottle of wine.
圣誕節(jié)是美國(guó)的重要節(jié)日。Charlie說(shuō)，It's a really big deal. 意思是說(shuō)圣誕節(jié)確實(shí)非常重要。大家都放假，讓人加班，得付很多加班費(fèi)。 You have to pay them a lot of overtime. Overtime是加班費(fèi)的意思。去朋友家過(guò)圣誕節(jié)，要給每個(gè)人買(mǎi)禮物嗎？ Charlie認(rèn)為不用，只要帶個(gè)中國(guó)紀(jì)念品就行了。但是美國(guó)人去朋友家作客，有帶葡萄酒的傳統(tǒng)。
D: Is there a lot of drinking during Christmas?
C: It depends on the family, but I'd say most people probably do enjoy alcoholic drinks. Have you ever tried eggnog?
D: No, what's that?
C: It's an alcoholic drink that sort of tastes like egg custard. It's sweet and warm and perfect for the cold winter season.
D: Sounds delightful. What's the traditional menu?
Charlie說(shuō)，美國(guó)人過(guò)圣誕節(jié)，most people do enjoy alcoholic drinks, 大多數(shù)人都喜歡喝一杯，其中一種很普遍的酒精飲料叫eggnog, eggnog is spelled e-g-g-n-o-g, eggnog, 這種飲料味道甜甜的，溫溫的，適合天氣冷的時(shí)候喝。圣誕節(jié)有什么傳統(tǒng)菜肴嗎？
C: Probably roast chicken. During Thanksgiving most people eat turkey. Actually, we Americans eat way too much food during the holiday season. When New Year comes around, everybody makes a resolution to lose weight!
D: Are there fireworks or any kind of public events?
C: Not really. Usually in the town center there's a huge Christmas tree. All the streets are lined with Christmas lights...it's really quite pretty.
Charlie說(shuō)，圣誕節(jié)很多家庭會(huì)吃烤雞。他還說(shuō)，美國(guó)人過(guò)節(jié)總會(huì)吃很多東西，we Americans eat way too much food during the holiday season. 所以新年一到，大家都會(huì)立志減肥。
Charlie還說(shuō)，美國(guó)人過(guò)圣誕節(jié)，一般不放煙火，但是市中心往往會(huì)有一棵特別高大的圣誕樹(shù)，街道兩邊也都是圣誕節(jié)的彩燈，充滿節(jié)日氣氛。美國(guó)是不是所有人都慶祝圣誕節(jié)呢？我們下星期繼續(xù)聽(tīng)。