英美餐桌礼仪 [标签 百科] Table Manners in Anglo(英国人)-America
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.No one will invite you if he does not really want you to enter his \"castle(n.城堡，华宅)\"; so you can be sure that you are wanted.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, and will be very forgiving if you unintentionally(adv.无意地) do or say something which would otherwise offend them.Keeping these two simple tips in mind should greatly ease your concern about being present at a dinner in someone else\'s home.
Before arriving at your host\'s home, you may want to make sure of three things.First, be a few minutes late, say, about five to ten minutes if poible.Never be early, as the host may not have everything prepared yet.Nor should you be more than 20 minutes late.Your host may begin to worry about whether you are able to attend the dinner or not.Next, as to whether to bring a gift, in most informal gatherings(n.聚会), it is not neceary.If you like, you can bring some fruit or sweets, or, especially if there is a hoste, some flowers.These are thoughtful cheerful gifts sure to please.Do not bring alcoholic beverages unle you are sure of your host\'s or hoste\'s preferences in drinks.Above all, do not spend a lot of money, and never give money.As we say in English, “it\'s the thought that counts”（礼轻情义重）.Finally, wear comfortable clothing.For a special occasion or religious holiday, such as a retirement party or Christmas, a tie and jacket would be suitable for the gentlemen and a dre or sweater and skirt for the ladies.
Your host in his home will usually motion(v.示意) you where to sit.At formal gatherings, name cards are sometimes provided, or you will be told where to sit.Do not be alarmed by a great deal of cutlery(n.餐具): simply start from the outside and work your way in.Formal affairs often have several courses of food with the appropriate cutlery for each dish.There is no harm in checking with your neighbor to see what implement he is using.After all, \"When in Rome, do as the Romans do:\' It is customary(adj.习惯的) to ask others to pa dishes to you for self-serving; at a formal dinner party, there is usually catering (service).Again, do not hesitate to ask others for information or advice.They are usually pleased to help you.
当你参加西方家庭晚宴时，首先要记住的是：你是客人，而且是个外国人。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。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，所以如果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。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。
在到达主人家之前，你可能要先确定三件事情。首先，如果可以的话，晚到几分钟，譬如说5～10分钟左右。千万不要提早到，因为主人可能尚未一切就绪。但你也不要迟到超过20分钟，因为主人会开始担心你是否能来赴宴。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。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。这些都是体贴、令人愉快的礼物，一定会讨人喜欢。不要带酒类饮料，除非你确知主人或女主人偏爱什么酒。更重要的是，不要花太多钱，而且绝不要送礼金。就像我们在英文中说的\"It\'s the thought that counts.\"(礼轻情意重)。最后，穿着舒适的衣服。在特别的场合或宗教节日，如退休宴会或圣诞节时，男士宜穿西装打领带，女士则穿连身裙或套衫加短裙。
屋里的主人通常会招呼你就座。在正式的聚会中，有时会摆出写上名字的卡片，或者主人会告知你哪里就坐。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。正式宴会常会有几道菜须使用特定的刀叉餐具，这时不妨看一下邻座的人看他用什么餐具。毕竟，人总要“入境随俗”嘛。习惯上可以请别人将菜传给你，由你自己来招呼自己；在正式晚宴上则通常会有供餐服务。同样地，不要犹豫向他人请教与询问，他们通常都会乐意帮助你。
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