[by:可可英语～m.moreplr.com]
[00:05.82] 6. Table Manners in Anglo-America
英美餐桌礼仪
[00:09.87] "Oh, no! Here I am at an American family's home at the dinner table.
“哦，糟糕！此刻我坐在一个美国人家里的餐桌前吃晚餐。
[00:15.03] There are all kinds of plates, saucers, cups, and silverware at my place.
在我眼前有各式各样的盘子、碟子、杯子和银制餐具。
[00:19.74] Which should I use for which food?
该用哪种餐具盛哪一道食物呢？
[00:22.37] Should I sit down first or wait for the host to invite me?
我应该先坐下来还是等主人来招呼呢？
[00:26.54] Should I have brought a gift? Someone please tell me what to do!"
我是不是应该带了礼物才来吗？有谁来教教我该怎么做！”
[00:31.00] Have you ever been in or had a nightmare about this situation?
你是否曾经置身或经历过像这样可怕的情形呢？
[00:35.45] Don't worry! This article will help steer you through the rocks and reefs of Anglo-American table manners
别担心！本篇文章将助你破除英美餐桌礼仪的重重障碍，
[00:43.04] 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.
如此一来，以后如果你出国到加拿大或美国，或到这两国人士的家中作客，便能怡然自得了。
[00:52.00] It is important to distinguish what kind of occasion you will be attending before you plan for a pleasant evening.
在计划过个愉快的夜晚之前，先分清楚要参加的是哪一种场合是很重要的。
[00:59.78] Most Anglo-Americans enjoy entertaining at home, but they don't enjoy stuffy, formal dinners.
大部分英美人士喜欢在家里招待客人，而不喜欢沈闷的正式晚宴。
[01:06.58] They invite their friends over for a fun evening, not as a test of one's knowledge of cultural traditions.
他们邀请朋友到家里来是为了过个快乐的夜晚，而不是要测试一个人的传统文化知识。
[01:13.50] If, however, you are invited to a formal affair, such as a so-called "sit-down" dinner,
然而，如果你应邀参加一个正式场合，例如所谓的“安排就座”晚宴，
[01:19.89] you may want to know in advance some basic rules of "black tie" etiquette.
也许你会想事先知道一些正式宴会礼节的基本规范。
[01:25.00] 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.
当你参加西方家庭的晚宴时，首先要记住的是：你是客人，而且是个外国人。
[01:32.91] 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.
如果不是真要让你进入他的“城堡”，人家不会邀请你，所以你可以确定你是受欢迎的。
[01:40.23] 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,
除此之外，因为你来自和主人不同的国家和文化，他或她或他们当然会明白这点，
[01:49.08] and will be very forgiving if you unintentionally do or say something which would otherwise offend them.
所以假使你无意间做了或说了某些冒犯他们的事时，他们会非常宽宏大量的。
[01:55.90] Keeping these two simple tips in mind should greatly ease your concern about being present at a dinner in someone else's home.
记住这两个简单的准则应该就能大大消除你到别人家用餐的忧虑。
[02:04.00] Before arriving at your host's home, you may want to make sure of three things.
在到达主人家之前，你可能要先确定三件事情。
[02:09.62] First, be a few minutes late, say, about five to ten minutes if possible.
首先，要晚到几分钟，譬如说5～10分钟左右，如果可能的话。
[02:14.73] Never be early, as the host may not have everything prepared yet.
千万不要提早到，因为主人可能尚未一切就绪。
[02:19.59] Nor should you be more than 20 minutes late.
但你也不要迟到超过20分钟，
[02:22.76] Your host may begin to worry about whether you are able to attend the dinner or not.
否则人家会开始担心你是否能来赴宴。
[02:27.48] Next, as to whether to bring a gift, in most informal gatherings, it is not necessary.
其次，关于要不要带礼物，在大部分非正式的聚会中是不需要的。
[02:33.98] If you like, you can bring some fruit or sweets, or, especially if there is a hostess, some flowers.
你若高兴的话，可以带一些水果或甜点，或者，尤其是有女主人的话，可以送一些花。
[02:41.11] These are thoughtful, cheerful gifts sure to please.
这些都是体贴、令人愉快的礼物，一定会讨人喜欢。
[02:44.93] Do not bring alcoholic beverages unless you are sure of your host's or hostess's preferences in drinks.
不要带酒类饮料，除非你确知主人或女主人偏爱什么酒。
[02:51.75] Above all, do not spend a lot of money, and never give money.
更重要的是，不要花太多钱，而且绝不要送礼金。
[02:56.45] As we say in English, "It's the thought that counts."
就像我们在英文中说的 "It's the thought that counts."（“礼轻情意重”）。
[03:00.03] Finally, wear comfortable clothing. One can overdress as well as appear sloppy.
最后，穿着舒适的衣服。过度打扮以及显得邋遢都不好。
[03:05.80] For a special occasion or religious holiday, such as a retirement party or Christmas,
在特别的场合或宗教节日，如退休宴会或圣诞节时，
[03:11.24] a tie and jacket would be suitable for the gentlemen and a dress or sweater and skirt for the ladies.
男士宜穿西装打领带，女士则穿洋装或毛衣加裙子。
[03:17.00] For more formal affairs, you will probably be told what to wear, such as "formal dress requested," etc.
在较正式的情况中，你可能要照规定穿着，例如“请着正式服装”等等。
[03:25.86] A tie and jacket or tuxedo for the gents and an evening gown for the ladies would be in order here.
此时，男士宜穿西装打领带或穿燕尾服，女士则穿晚礼服。
[03:32.68] If you are unsure what to wear, you can always ask the host.
如果你拿不准该穿什么服装，问主人就好了。
[03:36.85] Gifts are seldom appropriate for these affairs, unless for a wedding reception, at which gifts are more customary than cash.
在这些情况送礼通常不适当，除非是结婚宴席，在习俗上大多是送礼物而非现金。
[03:45.00] Your host in his home will usually motion you where to sit.
屋里的主人通常会招呼你就座。
[03:50.06] At formal gatherings, name cards are sometimes provided, or you will be told where to sit.
在正式的聚会中，有时会摆出写上名字的卡片，要不然人家会告诉你座位。
[03:56.16] Do not be alarmed by a great deal of cutlery: simply start from the outside and work your way in.
不要被一大堆刀叉餐具吓着了：只要由外往内按顺序使用就行了。
[04:03.05] Formal affairs often have several courses of food with the appropriate cutlery for each dish.
正式宴会常会有几道菜须使用特定的刀叉餐具，
[04:09.16] There is no harm in checking with your neighbor to see what implement he is using.
这时不妨咨询一下邻座的人看他用什么餐具。
[04:14.87] After all, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."
毕竟，人总要“入境随俗”嘛。
[04:18.64] It is customary to ask others to pass dishes to you for self-serving;
习惯上可以请别人将菜传给你自己来盛；
[04:23.73] at a formal dinner party, there is usually catering (service).
在正式晚宴上则通常会有分菜（服务）。
[04:27.91] Again, do not hesitate to ask others for information or advice.
同样地，不要犹豫不敢向他人请益，
[04:32.50] They are usually pleased to help you.
他们通常都会很乐意帮助你。
[04:35.00] The most important piece of advice is this: enjoy yourself.
最重要的一个忠告是：好好享受。
[04:39.48] No host enjoys seeing nervous or fearful guests who are struggling to "do the right thing" at his home or expensive formal dinner party.
作东的人都不乐于见到客人在他家中或昂贵的正式晚宴上，神情紧张或害怕地努力要让自己的举止合宜。
[04:48.06] Watch others or ask for their advice, and join in the conversation and good times as best you can.
观察别人或向他们请教，尽可能地融入谈话和欢乐当中。
[04:55.11] If you do, after the first such evening out, you will certainly look forward to the next!
如果能做到这样，初次尝过甜头之后，你就一定会很期待下一次的晚宴了！