陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他和美国同事Amy晚上要一起参加同事James的告别晚宴，由公司北京办事处主任戴维斯主持。

(Office ambience)

A：Chen Hao, you need to be prepared for a lot of toasting tonight.

C：Toasting? 烤面包？

A：No, I am talking about honoring someone at a meal or reception by raising a glass of wine, champagne or water and offering a few kind words about that person.

C：噢，你是说祝酒啊。西方人祝酒有什么规矩吗？

A：There are two kinds of toasts. There is the informal toast that the host offers at the beginning of the meal to welcome his guests.

C：那是戴维斯的事吧。我们有什么要做的吗？

A：Mr. Davis will stand, raise his glass and thank everyone for coming. He will take a sip of his wine. Then the guests, who remain seated, raise their glasses in response and take a sip.

C：就是说我们都不用站起来，只要举起杯，然后抿一口酒就行了。那另外一种呢？

A：The other is more formal and comes near the end of the meal, usually during dessert. Champagne will be served. After each toast, everyone raises a glass and takes a sip of champagne.

C：是不是每个人都要说祝酒辞呢?

A：Not necessarily, but you will be expected to toast James since you worked closely with him.

C：幸亏你事先告诉我。不过那我该说些什么呢？

A：You could say how good James was to work with, tell a funny story about him, wish him success in his new position or use a favorite quote.

C：讲笑话是我的长项。不过我还是得赶紧去准备准备，一会餐厅见。

******

宴会结束后，陈豪和Amy一起搭出租车回家。

A：Chen Hao, Your toast was excellent and you seemed completely at ease. You obviously practiced your remarks.

C：这可得谢谢你。还有啊，幸亏你特别提醒我每次只要抿一小口，我真没想到有这么多人祝酒，不然非喝醉了不可。

A：It is acceptable etiquette to raise your water glass instead of the champagne flute. I usually just raise my glass to my lips so it appears that I am drinking when I am not.

C：怪不得，我还以为你酒量过人呢！不过Amy，我还有个问题。别人为他祝酒，James好像从来不举杯，也不喝。这样做会不会不礼貌？

A：Not at all. That was correct etiquette. You never drink to yourself. Only to other people.

C：噢，所以被别人祝酒的人自己是不喝的。幸亏被祝酒的人不是我，否则我肯定会闹笑话。

A：No you wouldn't. I would have warned you about that.