美国餐桌礼仪英语对话
美国人认为在餐桌上发出吃喝的`声音,比如喝汤或者喝饮料的声音,也是粗鲁和没有礼貌...
A:Hello,B!I read an article about western table manners.I found that there are many similarities and differences betwee western table manners and chinese table manners.
B:Yes.For example:When you are bidden to the feast,you are more interested in talking with people around you than having any dish.So when you have your meals,you should try your best to make less sound and action.
A:Yes.But in western countries before hostess pick up her spoon or fork,gests mustn't taste any dish.The hostess won't start her meal until all the guests get their dishes.She won't do it like chinese,want you have first.It means that everyone can have their own meals when the hostess pick up her spoon or fork.
B:And in China,people wear casual clothes when they have meals in the restaurant,even the T-shirt and jeans are available.Only in important banquet do they wear grandly.But it requires people wear formal dress.
A:And the people seat of traditional chinese food is not that exquisite like in western countries.Most of them are seated according to their own willings and without napkin.
B:However,it's very exquisite in western countries.
A:Yes,we have a lot to learn.
B:Of course
A: A Westerner said to his Chinese friend. “Chinese people slurp when drinking soup. It’s disgusting.” The Chinese friend replied, “Westerners make a lot of noise licking their fingers when eating. It’s even worse.”
B: Everyone has his own habits, but these habits are not very good. The noise often spoils other people’s appetite.
A: I attended a course on table manners while I was in the United States. Some of the things we learnt included how to place the napkin and utensils and how to pass the bread. Before each course, the teacher would ask if we wanted to learn the Continental European way or the American way. We always said “American way.” It’s amazing that everyone is so used to their own table manners. What is the Chinese way?
B: The westerners use knives and forks to eat so it is complicated. The Chinese use a pair of chopsticks and eat out of the same plate. I assume it is less complicated, right?
A: Not really. I did some research about Chinese table manners. The important rule is to remain silent while eating. Of course, this refers to family meals only. Not talking over meals is supposed to be good for the health. It is impolite if people do not talk to each other during a social party. The table arrangements and serving order for a social party are equally complicated. Each dish should be placed in the correct position. When fish is served, the tail should be pointing at the guest because tail meat is supposed to be tasty. If it is in winter, the stomach should face the right-hand side of the guest because that portion of the fish is very rich in winter. Each dish should be commenced by the eldest person who is seated at the head of the table. The diners should sit close to the table so food won’t drop on their cloths. Not noise should be made when chewing. No one should move food back to the communal plate even if he doesn’t like it. One should drink soup slowly and is not supposed to make a lot of noise. All these table manners are very similar to Western habits.
B: It seems that people share the same basic sense of etiquette regardless of their background. Apart from the different tools used for eating we seem to follow the same principles. We do not let inappropriate manners spoil other people’s appetite.
Westerners like to say, “bon appetite” before meals which is one way to suggest “mind your table manners.” Is there such an expression in Chinese?
A:Yes. We say “eat well and drink well.”
