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Table Manners Might Make the Difference 不可小觑的餐桌礼仪

课文朗读

课文讲解

繁體中文譯本

Table manners may be a vestige of yesterday’s slow-paced times, but some occasions still call for at least a basic knowledge of the rules of table etiquette. Whether it is an important corporate dinner with prospective clients or the first formal dinner with the in-laws, proper table manners can help make the right impression.

餐桌礼仪也许是因为过去生活步调慢才遗留下来的东西，但是某些场合仍会要求至少对餐桌礼仪规则有基本认知。不管是与潜在客户的商业晚宴，或是第一次和姻亲会面的正式晚餐，适当的餐桌礼仪有助于留给人良好的印象。

The origins of many table manners lie buried in obscurity, but some are based on the delicate relationship between host and guest. This is especially true with the sharper utensil, which should always be used in a tactful, non-threatening manner. Placing the knife and fork in the form of a “v” with points at the center of the plate indicates a break from eating. Placing them parallel and pointing inward demonstrates that you have finished eating.

许多餐桌礼仪的起源已不可考，但有些礼仪是建立在主客间微妙的关系。这话尤其适用于较锋利的餐具，应随时用有技巧性且不具威胁性的方式使用这些餐具。把刀叉摆成V字形，指向盘子中央表示待会还要继续用餐，将刀叉朝内平行放置则代表用餐完毕了。

The simple napkin is also a potential source of confusion. It evolved as a replacement for cleaning oneself with the tablecloth. It generally remains on the diner’s lap throughout the meal. Ironically, the more formal the occasion, the less the napkin is used for wiping the mouth.

餐巾这样简单的东西可能也会引起混淆。餐巾演变成取代桌布，用来清洁自己的东西。用餐时通常餐巾会置于用餐者的大腿上。但讽刺的是，愈是正式的场合反而愈少用餐巾来擦嘴。

Above all, it is important to remember to keep your eyes open. Observation of others often gives the best indication of what is expected. In any case, if all these rules make the occasion too stuffy, you can always just order a pizza!

最重要的是要记得睁大眼睛，观察别人如何用餐通常会给你最佳的用餐指示。无论如何，如果这些规则让饭局变得太沈闷无聊，你永远可以只订个披萨就好！

Vocabulary

单词发音

vestige [ˋvɛstɪdʒ] n. 遗迹；残余 an indication that something has been present

occasion [əˋkeʒən] n. 场合；重大活动

call for 要求, 需要 to require; demand

etiquette [ˋɛtɪkɛt] n. 礼节；礼仪 rules governing socially acceptable behavior

prospective [prəˋspɛktɪv] adj. 盼望中的  likely or expected to happen

in-law [ˋɪn͵lɔ] n. 姻亲 a relative by marriage

obscurity [əbˋskjʊrətɪ] n. 无名﹐ 默默无闻 the quality of being unclear or abstruse and hard to understand

delicate [ˋdɛləkət] adj. 微妙的﹐ 需要谨慎处理的

utensil [juˋtɛns!] n. 器皿，用具

tactful [ˋtæktfəl] adj. 圆滑的；老练的 careful

napkin [ˋnæpkɪn] n. 餐巾

stuffy [ˋstʌfɪ] adj.【口】沉闷的，乏味的  excessively conventional and unimaginative and hence dull

Sentence of the Day

Although most hosts don’t expect guests to stand on ceremony, it never hurts to know your table manner.

虽然大部分的主人不会要客人太过拘礼，但是知道一些餐桌礼仪未尝不好。

课文讲解

Liz runs into Jesse, her neighbor, outside their building:  丽兹在她住的大楼外遇到她的邻居杰西。

L: What’s wrong, Jesse? You seem a little bent out of shape.

怎么了，杰西？你看起来有点心烦耶。

J: Well, Sally and I have been dating for a while. But I’m meeting her parents for the first time tonight.

They’re taking us out for dinner at a snazzy French restaurant. I’m worried I’ll make a fool of myself.

嗯，莎莉和我交往了一阵子，但是今晚我要跟她父母第一次碰面。他们要带我去一家蛮高档的法国餐厅用餐，我怕我会出糗。

L: Oh. Well, don’t lose your cool. Just follow a few basic rules at the table and watch what her folks do. That way you can avoid any awkward mistakes.

嗯，别沈不住气。只要遵守一些基本的餐桌规则并看她父母怎么做，你就可以避免掉尴尬的错误。

J: What about the complicated place setting? There are a million forks and spoons. How do I know which one to use?

复杂的餐具摆设怎么办呢？刀叉有千百万支，我怎么知道要用哪一支？

L: It’s a piece of cake. Just start with the utensils on the outside. With every course, move one level inside.

By the time they serve the entrée, you’ll be using the larger forks and knives.

很简单。先从外侧的餐具开始用，每吃新的一道菜，则由外向内依序拿一组刀叉。到了上主菜时，你就会用到大一点的刀叉了。

J: OK, but what do I do if they serve something revolting? You know, like escargot, or frog legs.

好的，但如果他们上的菜很恶心怎么办？你知道的，像蜗牛和青蛙腿之类的东西。

L: Well, you can always cordially refuse. Just remember to act like a gentleman and don’t make any loud eating sounds.

嗯，你总是可以客气地加以拒绝。只要记得要表现得像个绅士且吃东西不可以太大声。

J: You mean no slurping, loud munching, or burping?

你的意思是吃东西不可以发出声音、不可以大声咀嚼或打饱嗝吗？

L: Right. I’m sure you’ll do fine. But just in case, maybe you should bring her mother a bouquet of flowers!

没错，我相信你会表现得很好。但为了以防万一，也许你该带一束鲜花给莎莉的妈妈。

－by Darshan Tyler

Vocabulary

单词发音

run into 偶然碰到

bent out of shape（北美，非正式）愤怒的，焦躁不安的  very angry or upset

snazzy [ˋsnæzɪ] adj. 一流的；很时髦的 fashionable or flashy

make a fool of oneself 出丑  to do something which makes one seems stupid

lose one’s cool 沈不住气 not staying cool and in control

awkward [ˋɔkwɚd] adj. 不合适的；尴尬的

place setting〔进餐前〕餐位餐具的摆放  the set of items of cutlery, crockery, and glassware laid for one person at a dining table

a piece of cake【口】容易的事 something very easy

entrée [ˋɑntre] n.【美】主菜 the main dish of a meal

revolting [rɪˋvoltɪŋ] adj. 使人厌恶的﹐令人作呕的 causing revulsion; nauseating, disgusting, or repulsive

escargot [ɛskɑrˋgo] n.【法】食用蜗牛

cordially [ˋkɔrdʒəlɪ] adv. 诚挚地，友善地 in a hearty manner

slurp [slɝp] v. 出声地吃（或喝）to eat or drink noisily

munch [mʌntʃ] v. 津津有味地嚼 to chew food audibly or with a steady working of the jaws

burp [bɝp] v. 打嗝 to belch

bouquet [buˋke] n. 花束，一束花

Sentence of the Day

Jesse sincerely wished to avoid making an exhibition of himself.

杰西由衷地希望自己不要出洋相。

Reference

Resting Silverware Etiquette & Table Manners

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